Sixty-Something: Heading into the Holidays in the Hamptons

In life there are always the possibilities and excitement of what’s next. With 2022 Thanksgiving now firmly in the rear-view mirror, the holiday season in the Hamptons is at hand. There are no longer the wicked confinements of the Covid pandemic to hamper our coming holiday plans. This year, thankfully, the east end prepares for a holiday season without masks, covid tests and proof of booster shots.

What I love most about the holiday season out east is its pure beauty. Every view on the back roads and in the villages are of Hallmark card quality. The east end area, although an ideal summer paradise, just shines so brightly in the holiday season. I particularly love the very tasteful holiday seasonal lighting of the windmills in Southampton Village, Water Mill, Bridgehampton and East Hampton Village. While driving past them at night you have to feel their history and then also know it’s the season to be jolly!

Then there are the evenly spaced lighted Christmas trees in the villages. Located on the main streets they cheer up the dark evening drive home, or for those necessary shopping jaunts for groceries, etc. For me, there is something about a huge pine tree lit up with multi-colored lights. That sight stirs up the memories we as little children experienced in amazement. Then we brought our children to them. Some of us are grandparents and now, through the grandchildren, see the cycle of life so very clearly. The historic nature of the east end is threaded with legends of the settlers, many of whose decedents still live in the area, some in the very same homesteads. That’s what is so special about the east end, the easily traceable lineage.

How about the unique feeling of seeing our towns covered with the first new fallen snow during the holiday season? It brings back that surprise as kids that today may be a sleigh riding day. In East Hampton Village I have always loved hearing the beautiful church bells ringing through the acoustics falling snow creates. I still find myself pausing many times and taking stock of the special feeling that God has blessed the east end.

The east end is a year-round holiday zone. I enjoy my summer days at the beaches, or sailing the bays. Then there is the magic when the leaves turn to those wonderful fall colors in Autumn. Finally, there is always the everlasting power of springtime, with all the promise of better tomorrows that every spring morning out east manifests. Yet, the crescendo comes in December in the form of holiday parties, Christmas gift giving, work bonuses and all those friends and family gatherings.

I for one love listening to all types of Christmas music. It just cheers me up hearing all the tunes, even the crazy ones like a grandma being run over by a reindeer! Being in a church and hearing the classic, “Silent Night,” always gives me the chills. “Joy to the World” also thrills me to the core every time I hear it. My father used to roast chestnuts over the open fire in our den room fireplace, so I love that song too! All my Christmas holidays in the Hamptons were special. My decade as a full time all year-round daily guest is filled with the best memories.

In the holiday season a spirit of comradeship visibly glows on the walkways of all the hamlets. The chill of the coming winter puts an extra hop to each step. In the winter I am sure I always walk at a slightly higher pace. During Christmas I find myself nodding, smiling, sometimes saying “good day,” and even an occasional “Merry Christmas.” It is a most wonderful time of the year. The countdown to Christmas morning has officially begun.