Times are hard right now and many people’s emotional and mental health is suffering in the face of the current state of the world. While self-isolation is important and necessary right now, it’s also important for everyone to keep their spirits up, which is why some people have been putting their Christmas lights back up to spread a little non-holiday cheer.
What if we all put our Christmas lights back up? Then we could get in the car and drive around and look at them. That seems like a fair social distancing activity.
— Lane Grindle (@lanegrindle) March 15, 2020
- The trend started on Twitter. Like many things, we have the internet to thank for the idea of turning on Christmas lights in March. Users took to the social media site to suggest the seasonal decorations as the perfect way to spread happiness while avoiding close contact with other people. “What if we all put our Christmas lights back up?” wrote one user. “Then we could get in the car and drive around and look at them. That seems like a fair social distancing activity.”
- Some people are even requesting it! Another Twitter user named Lisa St. Regis revealed that an elderly neighbor had visited her friend and asked the friend to turn on the Christmas lights since “there’s so much darkness and scariness right now.” The friend was happy to oblige, which no doubt made the neighbor and the neighborhood at large very happy.
- It’s even fun to do with kids. Twitter user Mike Griffin shared that his son was bored while self-isolating and asked his dad if they could put the Christmas lights back up in the tree outside their front window, so that’s exactly what they did. Now, his 10-year-old son sees them as a “sign of hope” every time he looks out into the yard.
- This is a simple way to bring a little light into our lives. You might be thinking, “I just took my Christmas lights down. Now I have to put them back up again?” but stop being a Scrooge. Putting your lights back up can send a message of solidarity and hope in tough times. Isn’t that worth it?
A friend just shared that an elderly neighbor came to her house and asked her husband to turn on the Christmas lights because there's so much darkness and scariness now. So, there are bright dancing Christmas lights now on in their neighborhood. #coronakindness
— Lisa St. Regis (@LisaStRegis) March 15, 2020
My youngest son was bored today and said, "can we put Christmas lights on our tree outside to cheer us up?" Great idea buddy. Lights are on tonight as a sign of hope and the sweet mind of my 10 year old. #Rhodeisland #hope #lovemysons #Christmas #Cumberland pic.twitter.com/qhVjeuLc02
— Mike Griffin (@rhodyknowsbest) March 16, 2020
There are dark times ahead, but I can still put love & light out into the world.
Some folks have mentioned putting up Christmas lights to cheer up people in quarantine, in isolation, or just to remind the world there’s still light & hope. Here’s my contribution💛#LightsForLife pic.twitter.com/S8Mx8bQ28I
— Sarah Bang (@DrBang_Wx) March 18, 2020
Bryanna, Izzy and I are doing our part to put a little happiness back in the world. Our Christmas lights are on and they will stay on until we all get through this. #CoronaOutbreak #christmaslights pic.twitter.com/MK9qEPScFx
— Chad Dyer (@chadadyer) March 18, 2020
Today a few of my neighbours decided we needed a bit more light in this dark time and decided to turn their Christmas lights back on. I hope it brings a smile to you face like it did mine. pic.twitter.com/MukgY36FTj
— Nadine (@NadineGB204) March 18, 2020
Since the snow has been too deep to take the Christmas lights down, I’m turning them back on. Because couldn’t we all use a little light and hope right about now? pic.twitter.com/c2dqsfB7iF
— Dana Kazel (@danakazel) March 17, 2020
