December - Giles High School

Livin’ In a WinterWonderlandby Courtney SongerThe holiday season is upon us! Have youdecorate your house? If so, exactly howextravagant did you take things? Some peoplemay just have a simple strand of lights around theborder of the house and a Santa Clause sitting inthe front yard while others go for a completelymagical dreamland of decorations. It is always apleasure for the most “unscrouge-like” people during a holiday season to go on a nice scenicdrive around town and admire the spirit that other citizens have choosen to share. And, onmost occasions if you have lived in that town for awhile, you will know exactly all of theplaces to visit in order to see the brightest and most jolly decorations around. For instance,my family tends to take things to the extreme and while keeping things to a reasonablebudget. We annually take a large piece of wood as the “trunk” of a Christmas tree and windlights all around it as well as pulling down a combination of fourteen strands of glitteringlights! This year, however, it wasdecided to use PVC pipe in order to besafer. Bright blue lights trace allaround the gutters of the house, and apolar bear, a snow globe, and thetraditional snowman adorn the lawnhappily. The snow globe was solddiscounted due to a hole that was in itat sale. With a quick fix the snowglobe now blows rapidly for awonderful Christmas spirit. I guaranteethat you could easily find this housefrom outer space!But closer to planetearth, the backyard is fully revealed to the highway, therefore it ofcourse gets the most attention. Everything from sleighs and reindeerto snowmen and Christmas trees fully light the backyard that Iguarantee you have seen at least once in previous years.I’m sure by this point you are all wondering exactly the cost ofall this Winterland Extravaganza. In the long run, the lights havebeen a collection of over many years and most of which have beenpurchased from a summer yard sales or discount stores. Therefore,the majority of the cost would result in the electricity bill. Thehomeowner explains, “In previous years the differences in my billduring the holiday season is obviously noticeable, but the holidaycheer is a pay off for me.” So this Christmas Eve, go jump in yourcar and take a nice holiday drive with your family. It results inmemories to last for a lifetime.Your # 1 Sourcefor Local SportsVIRGINIANLEADERVisit our websitevirginianleader.com22540-921-3434