November 24, 2002

Christmas Tree Lights: Man’s or Woman’s Job?

That was the subject for debate around our household today as we retrieved the Christmas decorations from the attic. By the way, any activity that involves the attic is a man’s job. That’s not even up for negotiation. It’s dark and scary up there, and it involves a ladder.

But the question on the floor today is not the attic (that’s obvious) but Christmas tree lights. In my family it was a woman’s job. In Tiffany’s family it was a man’s job.

I would think that Christmas tree lights fall under the general category of decoration, which is definitely not my domain. In fact, if men offer a decorative suggestion, it is immediately regarded as inadmissable on gender grounds.

However, if the Christmas lights were on the outside of the house, then that would be a man’s job because, once again, there are ladders involved, and possibly a staple gun if we’re lucky.

After surveying the indoor scene, however, I was convinced that there was no danger involved. The upper branches might need a ladder, and then and only then, should it become a man’s job.

The question may be debated for centuries in other households, but despite all my afforementioned logic, the course of this debate has take a turn that will no doubt determine the course Knight Christmas Decoration Tradition from now on.

And I think I did a heck of a job with the lights! (And I never used a ladder).