Review: Merry Christmas, America: Megawatt Displays Across the U.S.A., by Bruce Littlefield

I’ve been reading this with a big grin on my face for the past couple weeks. Bruce Littlefield, also the author of Garage Sale America, traveled across the US, talking to people who turn their homes into brilliant wonderlands each holiday season. (You know, those houses that everyone in your neighborhood has to drive past.)

Permit me one moment of geeking out here, as I show you that the cover of Merry Christmas, America is emblazoned with tiny, pinpoint silver foil stamps, which light up like the lights covering this house. Now that’s awesome cover design.

Christmas is my favorite holiday partly because it tends to bring out the maker in people. I know so many folks who only craft, or bake, or create, at Christmastime. Merry Christmas, America features some seriously dedicated makers — individuals and families who actually spend most of the year designing and building light supports and painting 6-foot snowmen for their outdoor displays.

Littlefield asked everyone he interviewed for this book: “Why do this? Why go to all this work?” And their various stories of “why” are just delightful and touching. Choked me up more than once, as stories of holiday spirit are apt to do.

I also loved the aspect of community here – all over the country, there are places where groups of neighbors band together to design and display giant holiday lightfests that cover entire streets (like Portland’s Peacock Lane). Tradition is carefully handed down as the houses change hands, and everyone cooperates to create delight.

Aside from the stories, Merry Christmas, America is worthwhile for Cal Crary‘s amazing photography. Ever tried to take pictures of the pretty lighted houses on your street? Not so easy. Crary’s images of these Christmas light extravaganzas are glowing and detailed and beautiful.

There’s also a directory in the book of well-known light displays across the US. Local pride does compel me to mention that Portland has a lot more than what’s listed there, but I’m guessing that if Littlefield included everything in every state, the book would resemble the Yellow Pages.

So, in short . . . I adore this book – get one and jump-start your holiday spirit. And I wish all the people in the neighborhoods around my apartment would hurry and put up their lights!