A visit to the Christmas lights on the Boston Common is more than just a pleasant drive-by — it’s a way for suburbanites and out-of-town visitors to bond with the city. The decorations draw shoppers and tourists, helping to drive the local economy. They also serve to remind people that Boston’s historic downtown is arguably the prettiest in the country, especially at Christmas.
The annual lights display may never equal local residents’ excited childhood memories of it. Indeed, this year’s version — in which each illuminated tree features lights of just one hue, the strings draped loosely over their branches — has its share of detractors: To some, the trees look like partiers lurching home wearing costume beads.
Comments
I am a fan of multi-colored lights. Have been disappointed with the all-white thing of the past 3 or 4 decades. Showing my age, I guess.
I persinally always liked either a single color of lights, even if it's white, or a even single color in each tree. The multi-colored lights look too much like Christmas, but a single color per tree, or even all of the same color, looks very seasonal and festive. Lighting this dark season is a more universal theme that ALL citizens can appreciate.
As far as draping - I can understand the costume beads analagy, but I always thought the Common trees looked like they had strings of pearls draped over them! It certainly shows off the majesty of those trees. I don't know if it is unique, but I, personally, find them more attractive than when the lights are wrapped around, which always just looks messy to me.
Of course, my favorite tree lighting is when the lights are run out along the branches - but that would take prohibitive amounts of time and money!
JMHO~ and may your season be bright and full of good cheer.
What a great Boston Globe advertisement for diversity. Do they love colored lights? Or it the Globe-preferred term "lights of color"?