In years past, we’ve seen LEDs replace mini lights, which replaced old-school screw-in bulbs, which probably replaced Dickensian-era candles at some point.
When Britney Spears was still it, colorful strands of icicle lights dangled from eaves and gutters, and sequential blinkies lit the way along driveways and sidewalks.
There have been light-up plastic cartoon characters, penguins (don’t they live at the South Pole?) snow globes the size of Charles Barkley, and those laser thingamajigs that project dancing stars into the tree tops and – as it turns out – the eyes of low-flying airline pilots.
All available on QVC when Amazon was still just a rain forest.
And now? After a casual drive through neighborhoods around Sarasota, the 2022 trend is clear.
We mean that literally.
Clear lights are in vogue, casting a simple, warm white light whereever they are draped.
By no means do we suggest this is a comprehensive look at the state of decorating in Sarasota, but here are a few examples of what’s chewing up some kilowatt hours around town this year.
A bit of whimsy combines with white-light restraint at the entrance gate to a property in the 4400 block of Bayshore Road in the Indian Beach area.
Photo by Eric Garwood
A passer-by could easily read by the light from the decorations on Habana Drive. Front one end of the corner lot to the other, white lights glisten.
Photo by Eric Garwood
White lights along the streets of Harbor Acres adorn the decades old oak trees gracing some of Sarasota's most stately homes.
Photo by Eric Garwood
Illuminated trees and wreaths form the basis of a home's decoration motif in the 1200 block of Hillview Drive in Harbor Acres.
Photo by Eric Garwood
Inflatable cartoon characters, such as Yukon Cornelius from the classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and others form the centerpiece of a display in Kensington Park.
Photo by Eric Garwood
Softly playing holiday music enhanced the experience of this home on Forester Palm Avenue decorated with a variety of colors and blinking lights.
Photo by Eric Garwood
This display in the 3400 block of Shade Brook Lane in North Sarasota danced with the beat of holiday tunes playing softly for passers-by to enjoy
Photo by Eric Garwood
In the 4600 block of Del Sol Drive, characters interact with lights of all colors fo form an attractive display.
Photo by Eric Garwood
A snowman stands watch over a simple but colorful display in the 2600 block of Ringling Boulevard. Santa also greets visitors to the front door.
Photo by Eric Garwood
A happy-go-lucky snowman off Ringling Boulevard.
Not to be outdone by the new tree in St. Armands Circle, the tree in Five Points Park stands in quiet dignity. Similarly illuminated trees surround the park.
Photo by Eric Garwood
An inflatable St. Bernard joined other decorations in front of a home near Hyde Park Street.
Eric Garwood is the digital news editor of Your Observer. Since graduating from University of South Florida in 1984, he's been a reporter and editor at newspapers in Florida and North Carolina.
