Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Spreading Neighborhood Cheer in LIGHTS!

 AD-Free Blog

We chose to really go over the top on the outside of our home for the holidays. We've been decorating the outside for years, this year...so much needed to be redone. And, we have switched to all LED's. No breakers will blow this year, because of their low electrical usage. I re-wired what seemed like MILES of garland.


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For years we have been looking at soldiers and nutcrackers to use on the front of our garage. Our only splurge this year, this adorable guy. 

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I mean two 7 1/2' soldiers...with cute mustaches and great color. Honestly blow-ups are great for storage, they came in a 12x12" box. Hubby had to build a wood base for them though---we get a lot of wind out by the street!

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Our new lampost got blue lights and a wreath, with a new ribbon. 

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A cute elf carrying packages guards the planters. We purchased many lights the last two years after Christmas, some at 70%off.

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The soldiers are perfect size for the garage. And, all the garland with new lights running across the garage.
My grandmother's Santa is next to the red door, it's probably 65 years old, and has been rewired twice.

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All the wreaths and garland are with green or white lights.

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The walkway to the house has a new railing. We are getting older, and it will be nice to have something to hold on to--if it is icy or wet. Hubby rewired the garage circuits and on the right the garland and green lights covers the exterior conduit, which will eventually be hidden by a ledge.

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Our old snow bear blow-up fills the gap in the yard.

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He is having trouble blowing up this year...he's at least 15 years old. We have the green chairs up in the flower beds, you can hardly see them, except during the day.

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From the porch railings...it's a really pretty show out front!

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We always use red lights on the red maple.
We had drastically cleared brush out of the mound and trimmed up the bottoms of the Spruce trees. Now the trunks are wrapped in colorful lights. The trees have those sparkling spot lights on them...which is hard to capture in photos.


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From the front...we have North Pole themed  blow-molds. 

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And our reindeer which have dwindled to 7, now.

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On the Mound. Best part is the entire mound is synced to music...a traditional medley, and everything cues at different times. Our mailman lingers (we are his second to last stop) every night just to listen and enjoy the flashing lights in unison with his favorite carols.

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We cut so many bushes and brush out of here this year, hopefully the new bushes will double in size, next year!

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From across the street, our mailboxes have a small red tree and snowman in it.

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, all Santa needs now is the sleigh filled with toys and packages, which won't happen until later in the month! 

Hope this all brings a little LIGHT 
into your hearts for the Holidays! 

What is your neighborhood like during the holidays?




30 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh your yard and home are so pretty for the holidays. I bet people stop their cars when driving by to see your pretty lights. Love the new nutcrackers to guard the garage door. It all looks great.
    xoxo
    Kris

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    1. Thanks so much Kris...yes they do slow down..our mailman sits for quite awhile each night as we are his second to last stop and listens to the music...! HUGS, Sandi

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  2. Oh my goodness, Sandi, what a magical Christmas wonderland you and your husband have dreamed up! Fabulous soldiers standing guard at the garage, and I love that you still have your grandmother's Santa. I should think that all your neighbours and those who happen to drive by will have a smile in their hearts at the beautiful scenes before them. If any year needs wonderful Christmas cheer it is this one. Why, I would pull up a chair, social distancing of course, with a hot mug of tea and sit there and just drink in all the beauty before me.

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    1. Aw, thank you, Kim. We worked really hard, and the nutcrackers are my favorite now---pooor old Snowbear is sitting instead of standing and waving now---he may have to be retired. YES, I would love a cocoa-tea klatch on the driveway---'twould be loverly! Hugs, Sandi

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  3. Wow! your place is so beautiful. I love the new soldiers and nutcrackers. The blue lamppost is beautiful and the mailboxes also. You did a terrific job. All so merry and bright.
    Thelma.

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    1. Thanks so much Thelma. We always put up lights, but a spell of nice November weather allowed time to be more selective and careful, so it was fun and people do seem to enjoy it!

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  4. Double Wow! The soldiers are fantastic, and your lights and sights everywhere have to put your house on the must drive by map at holiday time! Our neighborhood asked residents to please put up a tree with white lights in the front yard and it looks so pretty driving by all the trees! You are bringing a lot of joy to your neighbors!
    Jenna

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    1. Hi, Jenna! Thanks so much---it was fun this year as we had nice weather! What a wonderful neighborhood idea, we are having Santa arrive in a firetruck next weekend---and tour through all of our little unincorporated development. Hoping our grand can come and see from the driveway----! Hugs, and thanks for visiting! Sandi

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  5. Your Christmas lights look awesome, a great way to get into the christmas spirit.

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    1. Thank you, Anita... we are enjoying it very much! Sandi

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  6. When someone asks my favorite part of Christmas...I always mention the lights! People go all out here in Florida because the weather is so mild and they can get out any time to put them up! lol And we love driving around to see them. You've really done a lot and I know it brings SO much happiness to everyone!

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    1. We spent one Christmas in the Keys, and Florida with my brother-in-law---and it was so much fun to see all the lights everywhere. And, of course Disneyworld was amazing. But all the houses with the 'flamingos' in lights and light up deer were so pretty---it was thoroughly enjoyed with out the cold and snow of here! Hugs, and it has been a lot of fun!

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  7. Sandi, your home and neighborhood look wonderful. I love it when all go out to make everything bright and merry. We live on just a long fairly straight street, so it isn't a "neighborhood" so to speak, but I am thrilled to see how many houses have put up lights this year. It looks very pretty and I love it..Stay well..xxoJudy

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    1. We are hoping to start taking evening rides now---through some of the subdivisions---a safe past time during the pandemic. Hugs, and thanks, it's been fun! Sandi

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  8. I absolutely love your lights and nutcracker soldiers! Christmas is all about lights for me - not that I do lights outside - I just love looking at them.

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    1. Hi, Carol. When I turned the corner in the livingroom and the nutcrackers were up---I just laughed, they are so adorable, and have worked well even with our wind. I've named the Jens and Gunnard, LOL.

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  9. We love outdoor Christmas lights! Our kids enjoy just driving around and looking at homes with lights. Thank you for spreading Christmas cheer! Your garlands, Nutcrackers, and everything look great!

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    1. Thanks so much Marielle, feel free to share with your 'kids'...love to spread even more cheer! Hugs, Sandi

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  10. WOWWWWWWW! Just wonderful!So happy and festive!

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    1. Thanks, Maristella---this is pretty much why the inside isnt' done...LOL. Hugs, Sandi

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  11. SANDI!!!
    WOW!! I love it!! I think everyone needs a little joy and brightness that the Season brings..I am sure your neighbors have big smiles on their faces because of your fabulous light display...I used to do a lot more lights outside when the boys were young...I have had my outside Christmas lights on since I first put them up shortly after the first week of November. I usually light the outside up on Thanksgiving Day night but this year, I think it really did not matter.... Thanks so much for stopping by!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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    1. I agree, we normally never touched a light until after Thanksgiving, but we knew we had some redoing to do with the newer lights. My fingers were raw from redoing ALL the garland--miles of it seems. I always want it to look as pretty during the day as at night! So, our lights went on at the day after Thanksgiving...with a few tweaks that weekend. But, I'm sure having a problem getting the inside done with NO company...Hugs to you and yours! Sandi

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  12. Oh wow! What a magical winter wonderland!

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  13. This is amazing, Sandi, thank you so much for posting it! We only get to see lights like this when we drive into town so this is such a special treat. Your house is so festive and cheery. It's definitely the kind of place we would drive to see year and after year. I love that the mailman lingers too. It's truly such a happy place. Merry Christmas to you and your family, CoCo

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    1. Aw, thank you...that was the goal, to spread some cheer. Thanks for stopping by CoCo! Sandi

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  14. Wow, Thank you Marilyn...appreciate that!Sorry I forget that link number thing...always in a hurry to visit others...grins, Sandi

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  15. I love seeing Christmas lights! Thanks so much for linking up at A Themed Linkup 85 for Christmas Crafts and Décor. Pinned and/or shared!

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  16. CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at A Themed Linkup 86 for Christmas Recipes from my previous linkup for Christmas Crafts and Décor.

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Thank you for any and all comments. I will be happy to answer any questions or comments in replies or email! HUGS!