Decorating for Christmas — It wasn't too long ago that I found this kind of display to be garish, chintzy, and completely out of line with the true meaning of Christmas. And... I guess... it really IS. For that, we can all thank the retail industry and commercialism in general for keeping this tradition alive and well in the mainstream consciousness of the developed world.

I have to admit though, once I stood back from the commercial aspect of it all, I saw something I wouldn't have imagined in myself... an appreciation of it. An appreciation of the creativity, the spirit, and the joy that many people feel during this season. I still believe the "gift giving" part of it has gotten WAY out of hand, but to me, today, the scenery is a welcome sight, its own season if you willl. Plus, it's an opportunity to get out and photograph, and to record this tradition, in our time, for future generations. Besides, what other holiday offers up the opportunity to capture the entire spectrum of color in one photograph, as it were.