Last Friday, a Christmas tree lot opened up across the street from our church.
Who buys a Christmas tree a week before Thanksgiving?
It was much easier to denounce the premature holiday madness in October when Wal-Mart and Target were selling Christmas wreaths next to the Halloween candy, but now that Thanksgiving is just a few days away, I suppose it’s time to make merry.
One of the cheapest ways to get into the holiday spirit is to hit the road and soak in the spectacular Christmas light displays… that you didn’t have to erect. Some of the nation’s most popular–which are free and open to the public–can be found in the following states:
North Carolina: The little town of McAdenville gets a ton of attention during the holiday season as it comes alive with a massive light display. Last year, the tiny North Carolina town (population 700) attracted more than 600,000 visitors during the month of December. Travelers come from around the world to tour “Christmas Town USA.” The dazzling spectacle is powered by a partnership between town residents and a local manufacturing company. The two groups work together to trim more than 375 trees with nearly a half-million red, green, and white holiday lights. In addition to the trees, Christmas carols flood twinkling streets and businesses offer hot apple cider and cocoa, so visitors can keep warm while they stroll through “Christmas Town.”
Texas: San Antonio’s River Walk sizzles with excitement year-round, but when the holidays hit, the popular tourist attraction goes extra wild. Visitors are treated to an eye-popping display featuring 1.8 million holiday lights embellishing nearly 200 trees and 20 bridges. The latter of which you can stand on to see and hear live carolers singing holiday tunes nightly from passing river barges. Festivities also include the “Ford Holiday River Parade,” complete with a flotilla of festooned floats.
Virginia: Holiday light lovers flock to Virginia in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The entire state celebrates the season with its “100 Miles of Lights” festival, which strings together illuminated displays between six cities, including Richmond, Williamsburg, Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. Millions and millions of colorful holiday lights bedazzle the 100-mile stretch, which also features a host of family-friendly celebrations that are open to the public.
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