Dealing with withdraw issues.. ;)

[pghquest]

Probably not the spot for this, but I wondered how many had similar issues.

 

I sat and watched the Christmas Light Fight show on tv and everyone who does this type of activity and I realized how happy and outgoing these people are.  I'm the complete opposite.  I work at home, and dont know anyone outside of my immediate family.  I'm quite, secluded, keep to myself, and my neighbors dont even know my name.

 

My reaching out to the world this year seems to be through Christmas lights, which started as my only friend in the world, decided they no longer wished to talk to me (over other issues). I built a great display, but not huge, only 13000 lights, 104 channels I think, which resulted in almost non stop stead traffic, as I sat in my office and watched them drive along admiring the display..  On occasion I'd hear someone honk or yell what a fantastic display I have as they move their cars out of park to pull away.

 

But its that time of year that the display is coming down in a few days and all I can say is I'm going to miss the cars stopping at my house and the attention.

 

All I can do I guess is plan for next year and try not to be too depressed this year is ending.

[rainyoregonchristmas]

Christmas is not the only decorating holiday.... there's St. Valentine's Day, St. Patty's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Halloween and then Christmas again.  I know there are several decorators that light multiple displays during the year.

 

But, I too was kinda disappointed that the traffic has dropped off... not that it really picked up this year for me.  Don't worry... in just 10 months... you can setup again!!!!

[caffeine]

What you bring up pghquest is a very serious issue.

 

You are very right that there appear to be two types of people who run Christmas lights.  Outgoing community people, and introverted people for whom is this a rare way to engage with strangers in a different (and safe) way.

 

For the latter it not only acts as a much needed quasi-social interaction, but also from a self-esteem, self-worth perspective adds a much needed injection.  This means it can be more than just an 'awww, it's over for another year' but a very real psychological dip.

 

From that standpoint I would recommend keeping some momentum going, there are two easy options in that regard:

1. Start working on next year's display.  Sequencing, designing, building whatever.  Keep the image of the passers by and their reactions in your head and alive whilst doing so.

2. Find a similar outlet that provides the same level of emotional response.  Ideas for the non-social interactive include working behind the scenes at a charity (boxing, sorting, cooking etc.) or a community webpage/forum, or a project that helps others in some way.  All depending on your skill set.

 

Above all do not consider this an 'end' of a display, but acknowledge it for what it really is, the culmination of a big achievement and a gift you have given to the community.  Be proud of that.

[caffeine]

I would have posted this as an edit but alas, no edit button at the moment.

 

edit: I also watched that series and I got the strong sensation that there were far more introverts in that group than extroverts.  It might not show, but this activity and season gives them an outlet to be engaged and appear outgoing as they effectively become a different 'person' (the Christmas guy/girl rather than the neighbour) for the period.  I honestly don't think the majority of the people would be day-to-day be anything like what they appear to be at christmas! :-)

[MikeERWNC]

Instead of sitting in your office watching and listening for honks and yells, get outside.

Hand out candy canes.

I baked thousands of Christmas cookies and handed them out.

My wife is a teacher and very outgoing. I travel or sit in my home office working.

I don't know many people here after seven years, so I used the light show as a way to get out and meet more of my community.

I made two papers, the local TV and radio stations. No one can pronounce my name here but now they know it exists.

 

I too am looking forward to next year. But I also plan to continue my efforts which my light show donations are go to.

[George Simmons]

I can relate.  This is the most depressing time of year for me too.  The anticipation and excitement of the planning, sequencing, and setup all seem to culminate at Christmas when the crowds are the largest.  Then, as they dwindle each day up to New Year's Eve, I feel like a part of me is drying up for the next 11 months.

 

I agree that handing things out is a great way to help overcome the aloneness, and a natural opportunity to say hello to people you see admiring your display.  Talk about a mutual subject - it's right there in front of everyone's eyes.  Take advantage - you can have a splendid short-term interaction with people in which you basically risk nothing and there's no long-term anything.  Until next lighting season when those same people come back as your friends.  It's pretty amazing and has helped me get over the line from a recluse sort to be more gregarious and outgoing.

[pghquest]

Thank you all for the replies, and especially the personal message.  I was literaly in tears over thinking that I'd have to take my display down because of the attention its received this year.  I could never see myself going outside to meet the visitors, and couldnt think of doing things like passing out candy canes, but I have been trying to find a way to get the visitors more invovled, (like providing a place to park and something to walk through) etc, Its very nice to see I'm not alone with being depressed over tearing down what has taken so long to build.

[pghquest]

Christmas is not the only decorating holiday.... there's St. Valentine's Day, St. Patty's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Halloween and then Christmas again.  I know there are several decorators that light multiple displays during the year.

 

But, I too was kinda disappointed that the traffic has dropped off... not that it really picked up this year for me.  Don't worry... in just 10 months... you can setup again!!!!

I did Halloween this year for the first time.  But that was only because I wanted to get my feet wet with the LOR system, and some of my Halloween lights converted to Christmas so it was a great place to start.  Truth be told, a lot of my Christmas lights were up before Halloween was even over.  I was out there decorating while I waited for trick or treaters (I had a wopping 4 kids this year)..  so that left me plenty of time to spend.

 

I dont function well in the cold, so the earlier I got the Christmas stuff up, the earlier I had to troubleshoot issues, because if it got to cold and something failed, its going to sit there for days until I get out there.. 

 

I thought about doint a 4th of July one, just for the kids, who knows..

[rainyoregonchristmas]

There are ways to get the audience involved in your display without having to directly participate with the crowd.  Read up on your controllers, there are trigger pins that you can connect that will activate a sequence on standalone units when a device triggers them, like a motion sensor, big red push button etc.  It's a way to get your audience out of the car and encourage participation.  It could trigger something like a small show with some separate mini trees. Or a sequence on a mega tree.  Lots that you could do with the triggers.  Could be a great project to focus on for a few months to get it just how you like it.

 

 

You could even do it more simply like the two sisters did in the "Great Christmas Light Fight."  When you pushed a big red button it lit up Rodolph's red nose on a wire frame reindeer.  As far as passing out items to the crowd, I've heard of people putting out things like a mailbox and stuffing it full of candy canes.  Stock it before the show so you don't have to be out there with the crowd.

[kiplorenzo]

The other part of this coin is now you have time to do planning for next year. I've been looking at the lights on Ray Wu's Store already and planning an order.

 

Kip

[caffeine]

One other suggestion is if you aren't someone that finds it easy to meet and/or relate to people this hobby is a great medium for that.  Look at this thread as an example!  There are plenty of people from around the globe who share your interest all of a sudden and regardless if they are otherwise very different there is instantaneous common ground.

 

Tonight I took off and finally saw three other displays.  Chatted to each of them about lights, displays etc. and made some new friends.

 

The forums here, the chatroom in Auschristmaslighting (where I just about live).  Turn your hobby into something social.  Feed off others.

 

The guy I spent 45 minutes with tonight and got a lot out of is someone there is no WAY I would have met or related to if it wasn't for lights.  As it turned out it was an enjoyable evening.

[Ken Benedict]

I like the Halloween suggestion; why not plan to have some plastic pumpkins light up with some color changing LEDs inside?

[pghquest]

The other part of this coin is now you have time to do planning for next year. I've been looking at the lights on Ray Wu's Store already and planning an order.

 

Kip

I've already started that as well.

10,000 lights arrived today, another 10,000 by the weekend.. I'm shooting for 40,000 lights next year, now that i'm not rushing everything into throwing a display together in 2 months, I'm anxiously awaiting to see what I come up with for next year.

I've had a couple of people approach me through my facebook page that live around here, offering me lights to add. One lady her husband is dying and she wants to see his stuff go to good use. My guess is they have about 5,000 lights, not a lot, but added to the display will give me the number I need, and this year isnt even over...

Guess a call to an electrician is in order, to see whats needed to support more lights...

[rainyoregonchristmas]

Before you go to an electrician get yourself a Kill-o-watt.  Test all your lights and figure out the amperage they will be drawing.  Check your boards to see what limits you have per channel/per board.  (Will depend on model, and type of heat sink etc.)  Then make sure you only load them up to 80% of their capacity.  If you monitor your loads, and spread out the power out across the appropriate household circuits you will be able to maximize your lights and minimize expenses.  Also remember you can put up almost a 10-1 ratio of LEDs to Incandescent lights.  So if your able stick with LED's.  Prior to getting myself a Kill-o-watt I created a spread sheet with all of the factory specs of my lights then added them up accordingly to figure out usage.  It was a horrible pain.  Much easier to connect the lights, plug them into a kill-o-watt and go with that number.... much much less of a headache.

 

-RainyOregonchriStmaS

[pghquest]

Thanks for the advice.. I actually have one of those kill o watt meters sitting on my desk, but I havent messed with it yet..

I've gone RGB and LED's for some lights, the ones I just picked up though were at such a deal I couldnt pass them up..

[MikeERWNC]

Thanks for the Kill A Watt tip. I bought a P4460 from Amazon for 24.07.

 

I am 100% LED and don't think I came close to taxing my 32 channels with 23K lights.

 

This will help spread the power between next years 50K LEDs and I am hoping to run 6 LOR.