The front door isn’t even shut behind me before the winter breeze pushes back my jacket, and the wind howls in my face. Leaving the warmth of my home and voyaging into a cold, pitch-black night, I begin to remember that some aspects of the holidays aren’t always great. It’s dark, cold, and wet.

I take a few steps forward on my front porch, then turn around to look at my family’s Christmas decorations.

Wiping off the frost from the window, I see our Christmas tree inside. Still lit up and radiating in the dark of night, the tree stands tall and glistens – there to see on the rare occasion a neighbor would pass at this hour, walking their dog perhaps.

Taking a few steps backwards, I see strings of bright-white lights wrapped around the windows and front door. They also fill the bushes. The support beams holding the top of the porch have red and green lights. 

I see our decorations every night, but for once I stand to take it all in. Another breeze sends shivers down my spine, calling me to the sidewalk. I decide to walk around the neighborhood to check out the decorations.

I walk off the porch and nearly jump out of my skin as our mechanical Santa starts to sing Christmas carols.  I can’t help but laugh at myself.

I look at the sky as I begin my walk. Any other night, I’d remain in the comfort of home. Watching television. Making food. Reading a book before bed. Not tonight. I need to take this walk.

The decorations on a neighbor’s house don’t consist of many lights, only colorful presents and red tinsel throughout the porch.

It’s nearly impossible to describe how this time of year makes me feel. Perhaps unlike my peers, I still have a very childlike feeling towards Christmas. No matter how cold it is, looking at others celebrating the holidays by decorating their homes makes me feel comfortable.

I look to my right and see a construction site. Completely empty — cold and bland. A stark contrast that leaves me with an odd feeling.

Just as the empty trucks and cranes begin to drain me of my festive feelings, I look to my left. A shopping center is lit up with multicolored lights, right next to a post office with beautiful white lights wrapped around the support beams and roof.

Walking to another area of the neighborhood, I recognize the house that always has the best decorations, no matter the holiday. But the the lights are out. I assume it has gotten too late, and they shut them off.

It is surreal to see dozens of decorations in a single yard, but not even one lit up.

The house on my right has reindeer decorations. I had never seen that before. The house across the street has a bright massive star.

A neighbor walking his dog startles me. It reminds me to check the time. It is approaching midnight, the sky is getting darker, and the breeze is only getting colder. I make my way back home.

This time mechanical Santa doesn’t scare me.