We decided to head to the Clay Center in Charleston again on Sunday afternoon. The last time we were there, they were advertising the holiday displays that were to open after Thanksgiving. Emily and I remember the old Christmas displays at the Sunrise Museum. At Sunrise, there were numerous rooms full of Christmas trees with decorations from around the world. It was incredible! The trees were amazing and in a great display.
So, I guess we had pretty high expectations of the display at the Clay Center (I don’t know if it was advertised as such, but we assumed the display had simply migrated to the Clay Center when they closed Sunrise), but we were pretty disappointed at the time with what was showcased. There were only a few fairly simple trees and a few model railroads set up. Now, don’t get me wrong…I absolutely love the Clay Center and am thrilled that we have such a place in WV. It just wasn’t what I expected.
In a way, though, maybe it was ok too. As I think back on it, the trees at the Sunrise museum were over done and unlike anything normal people would have. Christmas has been about “bigger and better” for a lot of people for a long time. I doubt it was intentional, but I think the Clay Center display sort of captured the mood of lots of folks in the country this year. Maybe overdone isn’t such a good thing. I know we have scaled back on hoopla at our house this year. It’s not necessarily for economic reasons, but more for general mood reasons. I know others are doing the same.
Well, so as to not make introspection the only theme of this post, we enjoyed the huge bronze(?) sculpture in front of the museum. The kids jumped into the “parade” and marched in time…very slow time. It was the slowest moving parade I’d ever seen…almost like they weren’t moving at all.
Anyhow, I think we are settling in to a different Christmas this year. I don’t know if it is just part of my growing up or the times, but Christmas is different this year…and probably better than ever!
Yes Christmas is different this year – but in a very good way. Love the picture of them marching along..
Kris
We’ve been to see the Christmas tree displays at Clay several times and you’re right: they are typically very over the top elaborate. The artists’ involved usually do very creative themed trees, so you might be right about the overall mood serving to make the displays more subdued this year.
Warren, we have had a hard time getting into the Christmas Spirit this year for some reason, not sure why either. Just seems that there is gloom everywhere or something. I guess it’s just in the air.
Chris
Love that picture of the kids marching in the slow parade.
I know what you mean about being disappointed. It’s all about having expectations that don’t get met, as you said. I don’t like feeling disappointed.
We’re not really into the Christmas spirit yet either. We still haven’t even decorated…yet!
A different Christmas is fine… I think the best Christmas is the one that feels easy and natural, as free of stress as possible. Maybe big and elaborate is easy for some, but I know scaled back is usually the best fit for us.
Sorry it wasn’t as good as you thought. Love the picture of the kids with the statues.
some times it takes some doing to get into the spirit and sometimes it just comes, and sometimes it just ain’t there!
however it ends up for you, please have a nice relaxing time with family and friends! I hope you haven’t been too naughty this year, maybe that is what is going on?
I think I still want the Christmas buildup to be like it was when I was in 4th grade. I remember spending what seemed like a month building suet feeders and making paper chains to decorate the school, and singing Christmas carols right inside the school. It was easy then I guess. It’s a bit of a drag having to work and act like nothing is going on now. Today is the last day of school for the kids though and I figure that we will do a lot of goofing off in the coming days to prepare us for Christmas. It surely is cold enough now to feel like winter! We’ll probably go out one last time to check out the Christmas lights around the city to make sure that Santa will have proper navigation capability around the city!