What gives, Atlanta? I went cruising around this evening hoping to see some dazzling lit-up bungalows reflecting on the shiny wet streets (I mean, Thanksgiving is over, people!), but came home pretty empty-handed on Christmas inspiration. People get way more enthusiastic about Halloween decor in Atlanta than they do for Christmas, it sometimes seems, which could be a disappointment at the end of the year for those of us who love any excuse for staring at colored lights against the city night sky. (See also: crying at the BeltLine lantern parade; crying at Ten Thousand Points of Light.)
There’s one Midtown house, however, that I can always count on. (See also: Valentine’s Day; St. Patrick’s Day; Halloween.) Well, except for during Thanksgiving, which they ignored – I was in a sour mood all month because they took down the two-story spiderweb from Halloween and I had no idea WHAT season it was or WHICH holiday we were supposed to be anxiously anticipating until the gentlemen of the manor finally put out a dozen glowing red topiaries.
What I respect most about this house is they always have a good balance of night and day decor. They don’t want the people who are visiting Piedmont Park during daylight hours to be alienated from the festivities, so there are giant stockings and snowflakes to excite and bewilder passers-by. Then after dusk – the house is ablaze in holiday colors!
My other two annual favorites are Edgewood Animal Clinic in the Old Fourth Ward:
It doesn’t look like much, but when you see it in person you’ll realize how adorable it is. Then walk by again when you’re in the area for the the MLK Day parade in January – that Santa on the side porch and all the little things they have in the backyard (not visible here) will still be out!
Also, OF COURSE, Mary’s. Nothing gets me dramatically holiday spirited more than seeing their nativity scene and flying reindeer above the DJ booth. Thank you, thank you, a million times THANK YOU, Mary’s, for diligently working to have the tinsel hung and the fake snow scattered no later than the day after Thanksgiving.
via Flickr*
Mary’s feels like Christmas year-round, as does Panita Thai Kitchen (string lights and red and green curry, helloooo!) – so if you are reading this from THE FUTURE but feeling sentimental for December, go to those places!
*Okay, so this photo is from 2009 but it’s basically the same idea again this year!
Previously: Happy holidays
Tags: christmas lights, georgia power rate hike, mary's, midtown, panita thai kitchen
The corner of E. Confederate and Gilbert, just west of Moreland is lit up like Turner field 24/7. I personally guarantee, there must be at least two dozen internally lit plastic sculptures in the yard.
Whaddabout the bungalow on Monroe near 10th that has the radio synchronized light show every year?