There was so much strong reaction to the poll on whether people should put up holiday lights against the backdrop of the recession and all the job losses, or if they could even afford to do it this year. Many people responded with a resounding yes. Others disagreed.
But apparently, some folks are voting with their wallets.
Huntington Beach electrical subcontractor Sean Olson has been installing holiday lights for 12 years. He says this has been the slowest Christmas season he’s seen.
He says even people with large houses are getting into the do-it-yourself mode this year. At least that’s what they tell him when he calls.
“I know some have been putting them up themselves,’ Olson says. “(It’s) probably the economy.”
Here are some excerpts of what readers said:
Guybrush: “I fail to see how flashy displays are inappropriate in light of national and international problems, layoffs, wars, etc. If I have the money to pay the electric bill, why should anyone care? Besides, it’s during such troubling times people need bright, cheerful displays to look at. What are we supposed to do? Sulk? Refuse to be cheered?”
RC: “I’m putting up more lights than usual to show everyone I’m doing well during the economic crisis and was not foolish with the irresponsible home loan craze.”
Jerry: “Maybe cut back to about half of what’s normally done and donate more to a food bank. The food banks are very short this year.”
Snarf: “Hard times? The Dow is up over 300 points again … It rallies daily as relentless economic bad news hits the wires. What hard times? They’re going to rebuild America’s infrastructure…all those laid off bankers, sales managers, software engineers, mortgage brokers, etc. who made six figures will now simply pick up shovels, lay asphalt, stack brick and drive steamrollers; surely those paychecks will bankroll plenty of new homes to decorate lavishly. Good times are right around the corner. Can’t you feel it? Light up and celebrate, for goodness sake! Good times!”
Jane: “We cut back on our display this year and didn’t put out some of the expensive decorations such as the inflatables. The Edison bill was a concern. We also opted to put up a smaller Christmas tree rather than our usual larger one. We still have the holiday spirit, but we want to conserve our money this year with the bad economy.”
To see more displays like the one shot above in Huntington Harbour by Register photographer Mark Martinez, you can take the Cruise of Lights presented by the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee. The cruise runs 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. until Dec. 22.
The proceeds benefit the Philharmonic Society’s music outreach programs for more than 25,000 Orange County students.
For more: cruiseoflights.org.
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