It's About Time!
Welcome to your March 2007 edition of the
PlanetChristmas newsletter! It is published almost every month and
covers relative topics for the Christmas decorating enthusiast.
Here's what you can read about in this month's newsletter:
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Editors note: I asked our PLUS2007 Light-O-Rama instructor
to give us a little history about his lighting passion. Let Marty
show you what's possible with your display!
by
Marty Slack
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Marty Slack
(as printed in the Deseret
Morning News)
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Several years ago I began looking for ways
to make my display more than just a bunch of bright lights. The
lights had been a hit for several years, and they had always attracted
crowds, but I wanted to do more. I wanted something spectacular
that would be a worthwhile gift to my community.
One of the best things that happened at PLUS 2003 was when I met Dan
Baldwin of
Light-O-Rama in person. I had hundreds of questions about his
new product. I spent what seemed like hours talking with Dan and
having him show me what Light-O-Rama could do. I was sold. I
knew that Light-O-Rama, coupled with the myriad of creative ideas
flowing through my brain, was exactly what I needed to take my display
to the next level. A few short months later Light-O-Rama was
officially released and I was one of the very first customers.
That first PLUS sparked something inside of me and I knew that I
would never be the same. But I had no idea how much my life would
change.
When I returned home to Utah I immediately began work on my display.
I designed and built a giant metal archway to span my driveway. I
built a life-size angel that would fly above the display. I built
several small arches that would create a walking path through my
display. I built mini tripod trees that would chase across
the front yard. I bought a bubble machine and strobe lights.
I built stars that would top my giant pine trees. I was inspired
to give my display a name. I would call it "Christmas Utah."
It was around October when my first
Light-O-Rama controllers arrived. I began learning how to use the
software and started programming sequences. The work continued
right up until the night after Thanksgiving when I held my lighting
ceremony. The new Christmas Utah was an instant hit. Cards and
letters started to pour in from complete strangers who had driven by to
see the lights. They thanked me for my efforts. They told
about the feelings that came over them as they watched the light show.
For some it brought back memories of Christmas when they were small
children. For others it brought a feeling of Christmas joy.
Christmas Utah was changing lives and creating memories.
Following that successful Christmas season I was even more motivated.
I continued to find new ways to create joy with my display. I
built new display pieces and I spent time on the computer, programming
new light sequences. In 2004 HGTV contacted me and asked if they could
include my display in their special, "Outta Control Christmas."
HGTV sent film crews two different times in November. The show
aired several times during the Christmas season. 2005 and 2006 were both
banner years at Christmas Utah.
After using Light-O-Rama for a few years I was learning the tricks
that made an unforgettable light show. I learned that creating
shows with Light-O-Rama is an art form. Through my experience I
found ways to evoke emotions by coupling the right music with the right
light effects. Every new computer sequence was better than the
last.
The crowds kept coming. The lines of cars waiting to see the
display got longer and longer. Often people waited in line for
over an hour just to get a glimpse of the show. Once they finally
arrived at the display they would be grinning from ear to ear. It
was a magical experience. Christmas Utah was creating memories
that would last and last. See some videos of the display at
http://www.christmasutah.com
Now it is time to attend another PLUS but
I'll be teaching Light-O-Rama classes. I want you to learn all the
tricks I have so your display will be that much better. There's no
sense for you making the same mistakes. If you use Light-O-Rama
products, I look forward to seeing you in my class. I might also learn
something from you!
Another editors note: Don't let humble Marty fool you.
His display really is spectacular. He was the winner of the
PlanetChristmas 2005 Worldwide Decorating Contest as well as the 2006
Light-O-Rama grand prize winner. Marty really knows his stuff!
Click here to see his grand prize entry in the Light-O-Rama contest.
He actually wrote a whole lot more. Check his blog at
http://blog.planetchristmas.com
Life on the Merchandise/Fund Raising/Patron Committee
Editors note: There's a lot going on behind-the-scenes
to put on PLUS2007. I asked one of your Steering Committee
members to give everyone some insight. Carrie couldn't
wait to tell you what's going on.
by Carrie Sansing
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Carrie
Sansing
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It seems like only a few days ago we started getting ready for
PLUS2005. Time sure flies as that was four years ago and we
haven't stopped yet! Chris Berglund and I are the
Merchandise/Fund Raising/Patron Committee for PLUS2007. For
PLUS2005 we were tasked with finding quality items to sell and
of course, to find the items that we would be giving to each and
every attendee. We also needed to try to find a way to raise
funds; putting on a convention is an expensive undertaking. How
to raise the necessary funds? That became our first priority.
The first idea we had was the creation of the
official PlanetChristmas membership sign. If you've visited the
merchandise page on the PlanetChristmas site, you've seen them.
I found a highly recommended small local sign shop and worked
out the details with them. The owner of the shop turned out to
be Christmas *nut* and we negotiated a very fair price.
Our next idea was to write The PlanetChristmas Cooks!
cook book. The Steering Committee discussed it, approved, and
Chris and I found ourselves looking for a publisher. After a
lot of searching, we found the perfect partner, an
Internet based publisher where we could log in, type the
recipes, and they would take care of the rest. We designed the
layout, prepared a cover design, and then the call went out for
submissions from our PC Family. Recipes poured in! It was all we
could do keep up with the typing. I'm here to tell you, we have
some outstanding cooks on PC and the recipes ran the gamut from
favorite holiday treats like delicious Marshmallow Meltaways,
Rocky Road Bars and Key Lime Pie, to tried and true main dishes,
veggies, snacks, salads, you name it, as well as a few funny
ones (Wild Possum Kabobs, which uses road kill, boiled water,
and toast!) The cookbook is a wonderful compilation created by
and for our PlanetChristmas family. Anticipating a large demand,
we decided to order plenty to bring back after PLUS in order to
make them available on the web site. Pick one up on the
merchandise page as we approach PLUS2007.
After we had the signs and cookbooks under our belts, Chris and
I talked about what else could we do? Once again, we
brainstormed. Chris suggested we hold a Silent Auction, it
sounded great to all of us on the Committee. The money we raised
with the Silent Auction became part of the seed money for 2007.
Anyone who was at 2005 will tell you, it really was great fun.
Please consider donating an item to the 2007 Auction. You don't
need to attend to donate, just contact either of us and we'll
make it easy for you.
What else do we do on our committee of two? From managing the
databases for the Harvard Business School Club, I borrowed the
idea of a Patron level. If it was good enough for Harvard, it
was good enough for us! The Patrons were treated with special
attention and although we made a few mistakes in 2005, we've
learned from those mistakes and 2007 promises to be better than
ever for our Patrons. If you're considering it or want to know
more, drop us a PM or email.
Speaking of the *giveaways*, that portion of our duties has been
an ongoing adventure. Finding the right merchandise at the right
price point is not as easy as it might appear. There are
thousands of vendors out there, thousands of items to choose
from, and we have a unique group we're buying for. We don't
want to give away too much or we'll spoil the surprise, but this
year, every attendee will be receiving a gift bag with some
highly useful items in it. Want something extra special? Come
to PLUS to see what's new this year. T-shirts are always a
favorite and we'll have several to choose from as well as some
other surprises.
It's been a good amount of work that goes on year round.
Whenever you click on the buy button on the merchandise
page, the order is routed through the PlanetChristmas
servers, and forwarded to us. We package and ship your items
to you. Yes, there are little Christmas elves in Illinois
and Minnesota that work year round on behalf of PLUS. Has it
been worth it? You bet, its been a delight and an honor to
work on PLUS2005 and 2007. Chris and I both look forward to
seeing you in Gatlinburg this summer.
Another editors note: Carrie actually wrote a whole lot
more. Check her blog at
http://blog.planetchristmas.com
Ever thought about displaying your Christmas village year round?
A great idea came in from Gypsy269. She found someone that put the
village on top of the cabinets in the kitchen. Great idea!
PLUS2007 (Our
bi-annual gathering August 2-4, 2007)
Our bi-annual gathering (called PlanetChristmas Lights Up Symposium
or PLUS) is moving ahead and we're nailing down the final details on the
wide range of educational classes being offered. If you've been to
PLUS before, prepare for different classes with new instructors.
If you've never been to PLUS, well, why not? It's the perfect
place to share ideas and get inspiration for your 2007 display.
We're very lucky to have our very own Marty Slack teaching the
Light-O-Rama classes. Marty won the PlanetChristmas 2005 Worldwide
Decorating Contest and he was the 2006 Light-O-Rama grand prize winner.
You probably saw him on TV during this last Christmas. Marty
brings a wealth of knowledge and is eager to share it with the newbies
as well as the old-timers.
Our vendor list continues to grow as the industry finds out about
this premier event. If you know of a vendor that really needs to
be at PLUS, we only have 500 square feet of space left, so send me an
email ASAP.
PLUS2007 is in Gatlinburg,
Tennessee, August 2-4, 2007. The
www.PLUS2007.com website is online
and accepting registrations for the event. Here's a hint: there's
a special discount coupon on the front page of the website. Use it
now before it expires.
Here's another hint: book your hotel room reservations now. Our
block at the Glenstone lodge is just a few room nights away from being
sold out. Keep an eye on the PLUS2007.com for hotel alternatives.
If you attended either of our major PlanetChristmas Lights Up
Symposium (PLUS) events, you know a great time is in store. There
is plenty being taught by the experts, but you also discover so much
more sharing information with other enthusiasts and also talking
directly to our vendors. The key to success for PLUS2007 is
the continued growth of the PlanetChristmas community.
Blink Off (comparing some
of the computerized lighting products at PLUS)
You've read all the info from the vendors about how you can
synchronize your Christmas lights to music. At PLUS2007 we're
going to pit them against each other to see who can make the best 16
channel, synchronized-to-music light show in 60 minutes. This is
going to be fun and VERY educational! What are we going to call
this little challenge? If the food industry can have a bake off,
we can have a Blink Off! See ya at PLUS!
Our
Blog
service has
been reborn. Check it out at
http://blog.planetchristmas.com
The PlanetChristmas community has experienced tremendous growth.
With so many of us, it's easy to misinterpret what's going on. Our
three fundamental rules of family friendly, positive and Christmas
centric guide what we say and do. The real key to our community is
a willingness to exchange information so others can have better
displays.
Talking about a gold mine of information, this is the place! If
you haven't found it yet, go to
http://www.planetchristmas.com/talk.htm. We've recently added
more forums and made it a little easier to get around. Once you're
a member, feel free to change the look and feel of the chatroom by going
to "My Account/Preferences/Board Theme." Don't forget to update
your profile so others can learn about your display. Also remember
the part of the chatroom you can see when not logged in is indexed by
the Internet search engines, but once you're a registered member, many
new forums open up but are invisible to the search engines.
PlanetChristmas believes strongly in protecting your privacy.
The PlanetChristmas radio station is still on-line and available to
anyone with a fast Internet connection to tap into. Christmas
music 24x7... even in the middle of Winter. How can you go wrong?
Find the details at
http://www.planetchristmas.com/PCRadio2007.htm
Newsletter
Suggestion?
Have a suggestion for a main topic or want to write
an article for a future PlanetChristmas newsletter? Send me an
email: csmith@planetchristmas.com
If you know someone that really should subscribe to your newsletter,
send them to
http://planetchristmas.com/lists/?p=subscribe
Next time: look forward to more Christmas
decorating tips.
Chuck Smith of
PlanetChristmas
