The Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year.
And on times like these, it seems like right now the world needs some of it. As the whole world spend their days at home in isolation, what better way to brighten self-isolation than with festive decorations?
There have been 184,975 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide. It’s a crisis that’s having a growing impact on how the world works; from film and festival cancellations and travel restrictions to self-isolation and national lockdowns.
These events result in a fair degree of anxiety at the moment, and even those without any symptoms are opting to stay at home. It’s a hard time for everyone. But in that dark, sparkly lights have shone in suburbia.
Normally, putting up Christmas decorations in March would be a heinous crime but the world’s struggles today are far from the usual. In the midst of coronavirus concerns, people need to find some form of sanctuary, and spreading some festive cheer might just be the way to do that.
Everything started when Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Lane Grindle wrote this on Twitter on March 15:
“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.”
Quickly, people took heed of what appeared to be an innocuous idea and transformed it into a movement with a growing hashtag: #LightsForLife
Mike Griffin, a father-of-three from Rhode Island, shared a picture, writing:
“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.”
Sarah Bang, of Huntsville, Alabama, shared a snap of her decorations, writing:
“There are dark times ahead, but I can still put love and 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 and hope. Here’s my contribution. #LightsForLife.”
Many people joined in, with another user writing:
“My mom thinks people should start putting up Christmas lights in their windows to remind each other that there is still life and light while we #StayTheFHome. I think she’s on to something.”
Another supporter of the movement wrote:
“Put a light in your window. Turn on your Christmas lights, if they’re still up. Let’s remember that we’re all in this together.”
As a quote from the Miracle on 34th Street says:
“Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.’ It may feel like the world wants you to believe things won’t be okay. But they will – so dig out those lights and sing loud for all to hear.”