Holiday Lights

Throw on your best Holiday beanie, with a pom pom of course, grab your hot chocolate and hop in for a Christmas light tour with the Van in Black!

Whether it’s the spectacular light land that is the Tryon Equestrian Center holiday light display or just riding around quaint downtowns with a flair for Christmas decor, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in most places. Checking out the festive lights is a favorite pastime for the season. Small town Main streets boast some of the most dazzling displays, in my opinion. But just tooling around residential areas can be just as exciting. Some neighborhoods collaborate and coordinate the perfect Christmas vibe while others have a variety and assortment of decorations.

The tradition of lighting the tree has a few histories but the most consistent throughline is that it began as a practice to offer light in the darkest part of the year, both literally and metaphorically. While this started long ago with candles, this symbolic gesture of hope and warmth in the darkest and coldest times of the calendar endures, now with 1000 bulb LED strands and rooftop inflatable Grinches.

There is something so magical about the effort and creativity that goes into designing a compelling light display.
First there are the colors! White lights can give such a crisp winter feel, invoking a holiday chill even in the warmest climates. While multi-colored lights invite a nostalgic and playful fondness.

Next is commitment level. Will it be full Clark Griswold, requiring the national power supply to supplement with nuclear power? Or maybe more Charlie Brown Christmas decorating with whatever lights weren’t relegated to the tree resulting in an adorable hodgepodge of Christmas sparkle. There’s also the blended family that is inflatable lawn adornments. Sometimes they are the only lights showcased and the cast of characters is vast and wide, from Jack Skellington to the Peanuts gang to air filled nativity scenes. Whatever the motif, there is truly something for everyone.

Seeing the lights during this time of year can really set the Yule mood. Even with the celebration and tradition of Christmas, there can still be melancholy and somberness. Experiencing that illumination by way of holiday lights and decoration can feel like a beacon of hope and goodness in the coldest and darkest parts of the year, thus the tradition holds strong! A wise elf once said “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” but personally, I think the best way is sipping hot chocolate while driving through Christmas lights, don’t miss a single bulb and let our chauffeurs do all the driving. Book your experience now with Van in Black!