Friday, December 11, 2009

20 photos of Christmas, Day 6 | Four Christmas trees and one giant ornament

target_trees_0012
During this photo series, I plan to portray things that don't explicitly say "Christmas." This scene at Target in Melbourne spoke to me, though.


Note: Because I was raised in New England, Christmas is different in Florida, but it's still Christmas nonetheless. And I need to convince myself of that. So, in the next 20 days, including the holiday itself, I intend to find Christmas here in Brevard County and portray it through a different photo each day.


To me, Christmas is what you make of it. That's especially true in Florida, which lacks some of the traditions I was raised with. One of those activities I miss is the adventure to find a Christmas tree somewhere in the Maine woods, an excursion usually embarked on after a large snowstorm in December. The snow served no purpose, just made things more interesting.

Traditional Christmas tree species - especially balsam fir - don't grow in the subtropical climes of Central Florida. I can't just go out and chop down a palm tree, though I've told friends that I planned to saw down a shrub in front of my apartment with my Swiss army knife. But I would have to further trim the ficus into the general shape of a Christmas tree.

At least that was the scheme until today, when I ran an errand at Target in Melbourne. Outside the store, the green of these Christmas tree-shaped shrubs and the trademark color red of Target, including a worker on a smoke break, reminded me of the holiday. But I didn't dare cut down one of the shrubs in broad daylight, so I'll have to return some day after closing time.

It's no fragrant balsam fir, but I will make the most of it. And it sure beats paying $50 for one from Wisconsin.


Earlier editions
Day 1: A lighted bush and the bokeh effect
Day 2: The city tree at warp speed
Day 3: Lights' reflection on a retention pond
Day 4: More than just seasonal colors
Day 5: Golden lights during the golden hour

1 comment:

cara said...

If you actually swipe one of those, I will have to create a fan page for you.