Christmas Lights — Simply SV

Nov 5

Nov 5 Christmas Lights

I am THAT house: the house that put on Christmas lights in October, that started lighting them up in November, that started celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving. We are THAT house!

I was apprehensive about turning them on so soon. I told Justin I wanted to wait until Thanksgiving night, I was shocked when he replied he wanted to start after Halloween. I resisted, he insisted: “These lights are so special, so beautiful; we might never have Christmas lights like this again.”

I relented. We first turned them on November 2, the night of the time change. The end of Daylight Savings felt like a good marker, it’s a time of transitioning into the winter months. I know this makes some people furious, they say we are violating Thanksgiving. But reality is, we aren’t celebrating Christmas just yet, we’re celebrating dreams coming true.

When we bought this house in January, I told Justin my dream was to have the entire roof outlined in bright white lights for Christmas. This was an ambitious desire—the peak of our roof is three stories high and the pitch rivals Everest. But, a girl can dream. This is our first time owning a house. It comes at the end of a long stretch of month-to-month renting and housing uncertainty. There is much significance to this holiday season for my family.

Once the turkey has been eaten, we’ll begin to commemorate Jesus coming down to earth, adding humanity to his divinity. We’ll cut down our tree in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We’ll decorate, hang stockings, begin Advent, and I’ll boil the first batch of our signature Christmas treat, almond roca.

These lights were put on for Christmas, but ultimately they’re a celebration of all God has done in our lives in 2019. We light up the house to say, “Thank you, Lord!” This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

Darin of The Christmas Light Pros made the dream reality. When I told him my vision, he affirmed it and gently asked if I’d be open to his suggestions. I cautiously replied yes. He proposed alternating red and white bulbs for the roofline. It was risky for me—I like classic style and I don’t like multi-colored Christmas lights—but I trusted the professional and told him to go for it.

I’m so happy we listened to Darin! The red and white makes all the difference. It makes the house “pop” and causes people to smile from ear-to-ear. All white is beautiful, but forgettable. Red and white is playful and makes it look like a gingerbread house.

Darin has quite the story: last Christmas season, in early December, he was driving his work truck on Saratoga-Los Gatos Road when he made eye contact with a man sitting in a car. Next thing he knew, a bullet shattered his driver side window and then shattered his shoulder bone. The shooter was never caught. Darin has experienced a miraculous return to full mobility and is back at it, scurrying across roofs and lighting up The Valley of Heart’s Delight. He was the perfect partner for my project; he shares our keen gratitude for the upcoming (not here yet!) Christmas season.

Darin is offering 10% off Christmas light installations completed before Thanksgiving. He provides everything: commerical-grade lights, installation, timer, replacement of any bulbs that might go out on you, and removal in January. His job minimum is $750 ($675 with the discount). He’ll come to your house and give you a free estimate. Call Darin at 408-612-7353 and mention Simply Silicon Valley for the 10% discount.

***Thank you to Darin Mathews for sponsoring this post!