Naples Christmas Walk Christmas 2015

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree." -- Roy L. Smith

Time To Walk In A Circle

We completed the birthday dinner and drove to Naples to see the lights! Join the fun!

Naples walk December 16th 2015

Did You Know? - Christmas lights (also known informally as fairy lights) are lights used for decoration in preparation for Christmas and for display throughout Christmastide. The custom goes back to the use of candles to decorate the Christmas tree in Christian homes in early modern Germany.

Christmas trees displayed publicly and illuminated with electric lights became popular in the early 20th century. By the mid-20th century, it became customary to display strings of electric lights as along streets and on buildings Christmas decorations detached from the Christmas tree itself.

In the United States, it became popular to outline private homes with such Christmas lights in tract housing beginning in the 1960s. By the late 20th century, the custom had also been adopted in non-western countries, notably in Japan and Hong Kong.

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Into the sleigh... The Finch's And Adams joined us!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
It was 56 degrees when we started... Everyone was bundled up!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Bob and Brian do a double check!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
The fountain area was decorated this year

Naples walk December 16th 2015
We met at the Naples Fountain and then headed
north turning right just before the bridge

Naples walk December 16th 2015
We waited for the arrival of Zack and Becca

Naples walk December 16th 2015
The Big Truck arrives!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
"OK... The party can start... Lilly is here!"

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Disguised? Tiffany and Kyle are ready to go!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
"What am I doing out in this weather?"

Naples walk December 16th 2015
We can always find the fountain!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
To the canal and turn right!

Naples walk December 16th 2015

Naples walk December 16th 2015
"Welcome to our lights"

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Simple decorations are often quite elegant!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Looks like we are in Hawaii

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Laser Christmas lights were quite popular

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Lilly gets a close look at the decorations courtesy of Mom!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
"Ah ha... I see the camera!"

Naples walk December 16th 2015
"This is fun!"

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Playing cards in the cold!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
We love the classical displays!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
The railings were decorated in many locations

Naples walk December 16th 2015
We all wanted to sing "I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas"

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Zachary with a halo? Can't be!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Little houses... Little people

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Dig the candy cames!

Naples walk December 16th 2015

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Beware of the dragon

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Sniff - Sniff - Sniff

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Beauty abouds!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Attention!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
The flash has to be used sparingly

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Much better without the flash

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Santa and his pal!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
His pal has been hitting the bottle

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Mr. Cool

Naples walk December 16th 2015
The up-side-down Christmas tree

Did You Know? - Christmas is associated with a lot of traditions, of which the Christmas Tree is an inherent part. The history of the upside down Christmas Tree has its roots in the 7th century. It is during this period that St Bonafice journeyed from Devonshire, England to Germany to preach the message of God.
He engaged himself in religious as well as social work and spent a lot of his time in Thuringia, a town located in Germany itself, which is the birthplace of the industry dealing with Christmas Decorations.

It is believed that St Boniface wile staying in Thuringia, took the help of the triangular fir tree to represent the Holy Trinity made up of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. As a result the converted people started to worship the Fir tree as God's Tree. Then St Bonafice, using this triangular shaped tree tried to introduce to the pagan tribes the paragons of Trinity.

By the 12th century it became a custom, especially in Europe to hang the Fir trees upside down from the ceilings to symbolize the Holy Trinity. The Upside down Christmas Trees was also considered to be the symbol of Christianity. But the real history behind the hanging of the Trees upside down still remains vague. Presently the trend of hanging a Christmas Tree has changed, because nowadays the tip of the Christmas Tree is made to point towards Heaven, as many think that an upside down Christmas tree is a sign of contempt. Christmas Carnivals offers information on the History of the upside down Christmas Tree.

Naples walk December 16th 2015
We do!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Hiding in the bushes

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Brian's dream home!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
We are at the half-way point!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
"Hey Dad... This is fun! Is this now a tradition?"

Naples walk December 16th 2015
All smiles!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Grandma Sue is getting ready to be photobombed!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Here is the bomber!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Bomber and part HAM

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Front row seats!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
"I am keeping an eye on you Mom and Dad!"

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Jan enjoying the fun!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
"Am I a decoration?"

Naples walk December 16th 2015
"Everybody likes my sparkling boots"

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Time to walk!

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Who put these lights up?

Naples walk December 16th 2015
That there is a wreath!

Did You Know? - A wreath is an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs or various materials that is constructed to resemble a ring.

In English-speaking countries, wreaths are used typically as household ornaments, mainly as Christmas decoration. They are also used in ceremonial events in many cultures around the globe. Wreaths have much history and symbolism associated with them. They are usually made from evergreens and symbolize strength, as evergreens last even throughout the harshest winters.

Naples walk December 16th 2015
Seasons Greetings to our Jewish friends!

Naples walk December 16th 2015

After departing Naples, we decided to go to Old Ranch to have a Night Cap. The hot chocolate and coffee tasted pretty good. From there we stopped at Preveza to drop off Brian & Jan and Michele & Theo!