Christmas done right?

Arriving in Rome a couple days ago, it became pretty apparent that they are still very much in the Christmas season. The first sign of this came while boarding the plane in Newark. As I sat down in my seat, I heard coming through the speakers, what sounded like one of Kenny G's Christmas albums. For about a half hour in between announcements and interruptions the Christmas music continued. I thought to myself that they must have forgotten to switch the CD's in the music system onboard.

Arriving in Rome I realized the Christmas music on the plane was no slip up. Rome, or Italy I suppose for that matter, is still celebrating Christmas. Christmas lights are still up everywhere, which brings me to one of my first points. Americans decorate all wrong. I began noticing that sidestreets and shops were all decorated for christmas, very simply. Across streets there are strands of lights hanging from one side to the other, which blink, more like twinkle (shown in the photo from my last post).

Above shops and restaurants, a single strand of lights, or some greenery with lights in it. Nothing overdone, fancy, its simple and it works (I've watched too many design shows with Becky it seems). No blow up snowman, no extravagant light displays. If a tree is lit, it's done right. Every branch and level of the tree is equally lit, and it looks like someone actually put in time to do it right.

Walking through the streets at night, the street musicians are still playing Christmas songs. The Christmas sales are taking place now, the first week in January. Christmas decorations not only come down on the Feast of the Epiphany in Churches, but throughout the streets of Rome as well, which marks the end of the Christmas season in the Church.

Okay so this may have not been incredibly thought provoking as I had promised, but I'll leave you with this: After having experienced both the American and Italian "Christmas Season" myself I'm torn in my answer to the question "Which one feels right?" The American way because I've grown up with it? or the Italian way, a refreshing reminder that a little Chirstmas spirit can exist after December 25th.