A WORD (OR TWO HUNDRED) FROM THE EDITOR

Ours used to be the first family on the street with Christmas lights. Okay, so they were Diwali lights, which we put up in October or November based on when Diwali was on any given year.

Immediate neighbours with whom we shared Diwali mithai knew what the lights were for, but others must have thought we were super enthusiastic about Christmas.

Now, unless Diwali is celebrated in October like it was this year, we are not the first by a long shot. Christmas lights and decorations go up in early November almost in step with stores as they roll out their holiday cheer (and merchandise). 

And they have gotten ever more elaborate with each passing year. Giant inflatable snow globes – snow inside with snow falling softly outside, how magical is that? – and even bigger inflatable Santas; a wooden sleigh loaded with brightly wrapped “gifts”; grapevine reindeer all aglow, and some of them move their heads as if grazing peacefully, all these make an appearance in the front yards. Those icicle lights that were all the rage some years ago are now passé. Now we have fairy lights in all colours, crystal trees and lit-up candycanes. And projected snowflakes on home fronts. It’s a veritable light show.

Christmas also brings on a baking frenzy as we exchange home-baked treats. Cookies and brownies, mostly, but some get all creative and whip up dream confections.

A neighbour throws a street party at her home. Everyone and their kids (and grandkids) are invited. People troop in bringing a bottle of wine or a plate of sandwiches or some other finger food and everyone has a jolly good time.

Another neighbour makes sure the driveways of the homes near his are snowfree, running across with his snowblower to finish our driveway before doing his.

“Oh, the kids are building a snowman on ours, I can’t do mine just yet!” he says one day. Another day it might be his dog playing on the driveway, as he finds creative new ways to spread kindness.

The lights have been on for weeks now. And it’s like everyone is playing a game.

One neighbour puts up his lights and up go the ones on the house next door in a day or two. Then the ones on the other side and so the light spreads.

The game is played in reverse order come January. Most people leave their lights on until well into the New Year. So one feels almost Grinch-like pulling the plug first. It’s an unstated understanding – if you won’t take down your lights, we won’t, either.

And so, as the days get shorter and darkness descends earlier, these gifts of the season from neighbours light up our nights. Merry Christmas!

SHAGORIKA EASWAR