Admittedly, I am a traditionalist when it comes to celebrating Christmas. I usually adhere very strictly to the “no Christmas until after Thanksgiving” rule, refusing to decorate or listen to the familiar melodies of my favorite Christmas carols. But it seems the rest of the world never wants to cooperate with my method of celebration. Stores have offered their seasonal goods since before Halloween and it seems that everywhere I walk on campus I overhear measures of Christmas songs being hummed or drifting out of dorm room windows.
It seems it cannot be helped. While the part of me that gets upset when KOST 103.5 starts playing all Christmas music before Thanksgiving is still indignantly clinging to my usual way of doing things, the part of me that loves the holiday cheer and can’t wait for the season to come is secretly happy at the outside rebellion being staged.
This week’s column is a public display of my caving in to peer pressure. I have thrown in the towel on my staunch waiting and decided to prematurely usher in the Christmas season with what seems to be the rest of Southern California. I am not entirely dissatisfied with my decision though, because this week’s activity is very exciting.
Few things say Christmas quite like Christmas lights, especially thousands of bright twinkling ones. Rodeo Drive brings out all the pomp, circumstance and holiday glitter in a spectacular Christmas lighting celebration. This Saturday, Nov. 21, the 200 block of Rodeo will adorn itself with all the holiday finery of wreaths and garlands and invite visitors to join in their annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony.
The festivities begin at 3 p.m. with an assortment of free entertainment. Balloon artists, jugglers, caricature artists, and musicians set up shop in front of store windows and amuse the crowds with their skills. Santa and Mrs. Claus are rumored to be walking around all evening for photo-ops.
The lighting ceremony itself begins at 7 p.m. UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, hosts the event to light their giant snowflake that festoons the beautiful Beverly Wilshire hotel. Carolers will open the ceremony and serve a special dose of holiday joy. And special guest actress Rebecca Mader will have the honor of flipping on the switch this year and lighting up UNICEF’s snowflake and the thousands of lights lining Rodeo Drive. The celebration will conclude with a grand display of fireworks lighting up the sky behind the hotel.
If, after all the merrymaking, you are up for some more fun, Two Rodeo Dr. will be hosting an “after party” in true Hollywood style. You can grab dinner at one of the many distinguished restaurants, window shop at the renowned stores or simply stroll amid the European-inspired architecture with the sound of steel drum holiday tunes in your ears. Two hours of free parking is offered in city parking garages along certain streets, indicated by turquoise parking signs.
This holiday event is one not to be missed, so why not stir up our Christmas joy early?
