It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It seems like there are a lot more homes decorated in Downey this year. I like the soft look of this home.

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” 
~ Norman Vincent Peale

Prize-winning Christmas decorations #5

This is just one side of the Area 2 winner for Best Religious Display in the 2017 Holiday Home Decorating Contest. What I like best about this display is the focus—this is about the Nativity, without any distractions from Santas, snowmen, or reindeer.

Larger than life

Another trend at least around Downey, are these larger than life inflatable Christmas decorations. Many of them—I was impressed to see—were taller than the houses!

Next year

The holidays! The parties are numerous and the treats are everywhere, and it's hard to get motivated to work off those extra pounds. The days are shorter, so it's harder to find the time to exercise, as illustrated by the empty workout area and walking paths here at Furman Park.

Well, I guess that's what New Year's resolutions are for...

Prize-winning Christmas decorations #4

This house won the award for the Most Original Holiday Display in District 2. It has a wide array of winter and Christmas characters on display.



There are the usual characters that I grew up with.



And the unusual characters that my children grew up with.



And of course Snoopy and the gang.

Prize-winning Christmas decorations #3

The sign in the front yard says that this home's decorations won the Best Religious display award this year. It is truly a beautiful nativity display.



But I would have to say that the nativity sceen was a little overwhelmed by the rest of the decorations.



And, of course, I found my buddy, Snoopy.

A sleigh or a carriage?

I love looking at Christmas lights and outdoor decorations. I have been finding some new trends this year and this seems to be one of them...is this an ultimately elegant Santa sleigh?

It sure seems more obvious on this rooftop.

"When you stop believing in Santa Claus, you get underwear."

Christmas deflatables

Inflatable Christmas decorations are everywhere these days, and there are some amazing characters out there. The one drawback is their daytime presentation. They look more like some of us the day after Christmas—or, as one friend put it, like an inflatable massacre.

"People tend to romanticize this job. So, it's fun to let the air out of it."
~ Kevin Smith