http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/d...itesatdusk.jpg
One of my neighbors who participates in the boat parade every year says he does it to 'give back' to our community. Me, I get cold just watching it - all the proof I need that he really must be motivated.
We've got an artificial tabletop-size tree decorated with micro-LED lights (chosen as much because tiny was the right scale, normal bulbs would have been grossly out of proportion, as for their eco-friendliness). Decorations include starfish spray-painted gold and seahorses in santa caps and capiz-shell snowmen. We bought 'em at a craft fair hosted by the Naval Academy Aux - so all the profits went to a scholarship fund - but if you were crafty I assume a walk on the beach would provide a lot of raw materials and a good outing for kids.