When I starting thinking about blog posts for December it occurred to me that since the last Monday in December would fall on Christmas  and my goal is to post every Monday, I had a challenge.  

How to fill this space?

I’m sure I could skip it.  Who would notice? 

But…..visualize a Lightbulb over my head. Hah! It came to me.   I’ll do Holiday Decorations. 

Since I’ve been personally in an unusually busy and over-scheduled time and frankly I think followers of this blog might be getting tired of Japan, I thought what a great idea. Easy Peasy.  

  It might not be all that original or creative but it could work.     I’ll carry my camera around and capture decorations in Grand Rapids as I go about daily life.  

Not so easy.  Pretty soon I started asking my self: why do we do this?   I wanted to know more.  Why do we spend time on all this fluff and flutter. Blinking lights.  Blow up Santas and silly reindeer.  

I thought back to a year ago when I was on a Holiday Markets tour in Europe and how elaborate some towns decorated.  Strasberg, France comes to mind.  Yikes. Major fuss.  See what I saw here. Link.  

Obviously there are the religious connections but we go so far beyond that with major decor.  All  kinds of people and businesses decorate who have no connection to an organized religion.  

I did a little research—yep, off to Google— and learned that there are some good reasons decorating.  And interesting ones.  

Holiday decorating is thought to go back to the 5th century.  Lots of legends abound.  

I read that if you decorate your home you are perceived to be friendlier than those who don’t. Some studies have been done on this so it is substantiated to a degree.  The idea is that folks who decorate are more sociable. Something to think about.   Who knew?  

Another positive about decorating is that it can be a distraction from the heavy stuff in our world and lives.  Some days I need that. 

Bright lights and colors can make you feel happier (releasing dopamine—the feel good hormone) while bringing back happy memories.  

Another source said that decorating gives you a sense of mastering your environment allowing you to feel in control.   When life feels out of control, stringing some lights can give you the feeling of mastery. 

I’m all for that.  

But mostly I’m in favor of sharing some of the scenes in the Grand Rapids area and filling this space today.  

Hope you enjoy.  

Holiday Ornaments

Makes me Laugh

In the Yard

People I spotted at the Holiday Market in Grand Rapids

Happy Holidays

Hope you don’t feel done in like this.