I Love Christmas Lights, But Not Inflatables [OPINION]

WARNING: This opinion piece is intended for the sole purpose of promoting a fun discussion and in no way should be interpreted as serious business or an attempt to offend you or dampen your Christmas holiday in any way. There, we all set now?

My friend and former co-worker Taylor Cormier relayed on Facebook this week the opinion that "inflatable lawn ornaments look cheap and lazy." I happen to agree.

I love Christmas decorations, and in fact, I have three Christmas trees in my small apartment. My flashing deck lights resemble a used car lot, or perhaps even a theater marquee on steroids.

Give me Christmas decorations and give them to me before Thanksgiving. And by the way, colored lights are far superior to white lights. That's my opinion, and I am entitled to it. But I think the inflatables are gaudy. I do. Again, that's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

Now with that said, there is nothing that gives me greater pleasure these days than seeing folks spreading the Christmas spirit. Goodness knows we need it bad this year, what with the COVID-19 pandemic and all. There are more lights, inflatables, and other decorations than I have ever seen before at Christmastime. And I'm an old guy.

I take great joy in my after-sunset walks down my street to take in all of the Christmas displays. My street, by the way, is what it might look like if the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade met the Vegas Strip. It almost looks like a Hollywood set for a Christmas musical. It's like you've died and gone to Christmas heaven.

So anyway, Christmas inflatables – yes or no? I don't hate them, but being more of a holiday decorations traditionalist, I could live without them. What say you?

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.