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There must be in the small, colorful bits and pieces that come with marking a holiday that enables them to generate a festive air and inspire joy in the heart. Whatever makes these minutiae do what they do, it seems drowned in the cheer they create and in the celebration—but who cares? That they create joy is enough and in that their reason for being and purpose seem fulfilled. Perhaps because of their smallness and because of what they’re made of, these things are not given much moment. It can’t be denied, however, that an event is much less festive and rather empty without them. Though cheer may not directly flow from them, cheer being an internal bubble of joy rising from within the human makeup, these bits and pieces do have a good part in creating the effect.

When we see the streets, public places and homes festooned with lights and display colorful ornaments, we know that a happy season is near, and Christmas tops the list. When colored lights deck street trees, wound about their trunks and branches in great care and artistry, exuding goodness, the city’s usually drab byways turn into extraordinary places and exciting promenades on evenings—especially when chill has invaded the air. When tiny tinny stars, papier mache balls, paper wreaths and buntings, and whatnots, all in attractive colors, are tacked on and hang from the eaves, shimmer and throw back light, and when a Christmas tree occupies a place of glory at home, the bubbling of cheer cannot be kept down at the sight.