Christmas lights are everywhere this time of year. They’re on houses, buildings, and even the trees that adorn so many of our homes.
But here in Edenton, we’ve recently adopted a slightly different tradition.
They are called Joy Trees.
And every year, more and more of them sprout up in people’s yards.
Today, no matter what neighborhood you are in in Edenton, you are a stone’s throw away from one of these crazy, unruly, unique, and joyful trees.
photo submitted by Elizabeth Anne
What is a joy tree, exactly?
I’d like to show you.
It’s a chaotic, jumble of lights, tossed with a haphazard care up, into, around, on top of, and across a tree.
Every joy tree is different, and every joy tree is different from one year to the next.
I know what you are thinking. No, this isn’t a mistake, and tornadoes didn’t rip the lights off the houses and tangle them into trees.
Photo submitted by Dianne Davenport
It’s a “fun for the whole family” sort of thing
where kids get to climb up into the tree to place lights, and parents toss strings up so they get tangled into the branches.
And, as the sun goes down, timers all across Edenton begin turning lights on, one by one, all across town.
It’s a unique and interesting look, and one that grows every year as more and more people join in on the fun, and the JOY of Christmas.
And, its a beautiful image of Christmas, too.
It’s bright, fun, and colorful. But, it’s also chaotic, and a bit hard to follow.
Photo submitted by Leanne Lane
It’s a unique and interesting look, and one that grows every year as more and more people join in on the fun, and the JOY of Christmas.
These joy trees are great because there are no rules to follow, no conventions they must abide by, and no expectations for anyone to maintain.
Just beautiful, joyous, chaos.
Which is, without a doubt, a reflection of the season.
Nancy Morgan
Take a look at a few more photos by local photographer Patty Noble.
