I live in a neighborhood that is kinda Christmas crazy, If forced to guess, I'd say fully 50 to 60% of the houses within a mile of my house are decorated to some degree. The lack of snow this year has probably had a bit to do with all the displays - much, much easier to get the lights up.
Most of the neighbors have simple displays, with no fixed theme or intention other than to light up the house.
I like the icicle lights, though I don't put them up myself - they get all tangled up when you take them down and cause tons o' frustration the next year when you try to put them back up.
There are a number of neighbors who appear to add more every year. Must be the bargains at the after Christmas sales.
Spiral trees are making a big splash this year - might have to look into getting a few as they look fairly simple to put up.
A few of the neighbors, while sticking with a simple strand around the eaves of the house, go all out on a tree in the front yard. This tree is huge - at least thirty feet - and required a boom truck to decorate.
This house is down a few doors from me. They add an item or two every year. The blankets of lights on the right are new.
I am the tree of terror, and I have come for your soul!
The tree of terror is new to the neighborhood this year. I don't think this was the effect they had in mind, but I kinda like it.
There are a few families from New Mexico in the neighborhood, and a few of them put out luminarias. My neighbors across the street, Fred & Terry (Fred's family is from New Mexico) put them out too, but they wait until Christmas Eve as is traditional in New Mexico.
There is a lot of randomness in some of the displays. This one looks a bit like a reindeer trying to make time with a candy cane.
Candy canes must be the big thing this year - these neighbors put them out randomly, with swirly trees. Is that a carnival ride on the far right of the lawn?
Luminarias and hand-fashioned swirly trees - I like this combination
This display with a solitary snowman and blue icicle lights is a favorite - eyecatching without going over the top.
The lights on some houses are so unique I almost feel like knocking on doors and asking where they got them. I don't, of course, as there is the risk they'd actually tell me where to get 'em and I'd trap myself into having to decorate with them.
I like the tree-in-the-window display. It's a nice touch, especially if the tree is well decorated.
It's impressive enough to light up one big tree - but two? That's just showing off.
That is one OCD-friendly tree.
The extra mile to create symmetry is appreciated - and envied a bit.
Adding an inflatable Homer Simpson Santa to the traditional single strand of lights around the eaves, and white lights around the tree trunk, makes for a cool yule display.
Some people don't go for hanging the traditional strand around the eaves, but go all out on a big tree with maybe a ready-made wreath and snowman thrown in to add balance. I think that's a Nativity scene to the far left, too.
If you don't have a big tree in the front yard, you can always get an inflatable one - or a few artificial ones that are fitted with LED's.
There is a neighborhood off Garrison that is still being developed. The houses are fairly big, and have Prairie home lines. This family did a great job with the lights on the various levels, and the giant inflatable fez-wearing Santa is pretty cool.
While I like the light-wrapped tree-trunk look, I can't help but think that this is done only because someone didn't want to climb a ladder.
The reindeer look to be fleeing the Mr. Peanut-looking snowman, which cracks me up. I like the lights around the roof alot, as well as the candelabra's in the windows (I don't think they're menorah's...)
When I first saw this house I thought there was a burning tree on the front porch. I really like the large light bulb strands - reminds me of the old neighborhood.
Some of my neighbors have great ideas for decorating, but lack a bit in the execution department.
If you go through the trouble of decorating your mailbox you get big props from me.
Most of the houses in my neighborhood are two or three story (or, like mine, tri-levels). That gives everybody many options for decorating, but it also creates the need to buy a lot of lights, Some of my neighbors seem to be taking the "bigger-lights-mean-fewer-strands" approach. Can't say I blame them.
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More candy canes and inflatables...and dangerous looking reindeer.
I'm sure this wasn't this neighbor's intention, but those reindeer look like they are getting ready to attack those snowmen...and the snowmen look scared...
These guys go all out every year - they use the big tree in their front yard to maximum effect, giving Santa and his reindeer a lift.
These neighbors decorate the interior of their home as well as they do the exterior. It's hard to see in this pic, but they have two trees inside, one in each window.
It would be harsh to state that some of my neighbors are competing with each other, but...
This...well, this makes me feel good about my one single strand of bulbs and the one plastic snowman.
There are a few neighbors who decorate, but they don't seem to have their heart in it. They make an effort, and that's appreciated, but still...
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Then again, there are those neighbors that go way over the top, approaching Clark Griswold territory. These last few pics are the homes that are threatening to shut down the grid.
Now we see the houses that required far more that a single afternoon of work. I've got to admit I'm a bit jealous of these displays, but I'm also curious as to what the electric bills are for the month.
The other question I have for these Clark Griswold level homes is, where is all the stuff stored the rest of the year? Seriously, some of these homes have enough decorations to fill an entire garage.
Without a doubt decorating on this level is labor-intensive, and I for one appreciate the effort. The winter months are fairly bleak around here, so seeing bright, cheery lights as I drive home from work is a big bonus!
Being not only dedicated to a display, but also having the creativity to pull off something truly spectacular, is commendable. This house is just up the street from me, and it looks this good every year.
The patience to lay a strand of lights on every row of shingles eludes me - but not this family. They are true Christmas decoration artisans. The garage door is a nice touch.
Finally, my favorite house. This house is right off Florida and Kipling, just west of the King Soopers. Truly a joy to behold, and not just because they found a giant inflatable Winnie-the-Pooh to add to the mix this year. Though it didn't hurt.
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