liFE & artS, Holiday lights:
Neighborhoods delight in magic of patterned displays, giant figures.
Learn secrets for displays that delight
We asked readers to send us plugs (get it?) for their holiday light displays. Here are a couple of non-Grinches outside of Austin whose electric bills grow three sizes each December: Bryan Karp 1329 Anna Court, Cedar Park, www.annacourt.com
How many years have you had this display? The neighbors of Anna Court have been doing this display since 2005.
What’s your favorite feature? My favorite feature is the Christmas tree in the middle of our cul-de-sac.
What’s new this year? We added several new patterns this year including the Grinch, Jack Frost, a few new Santas and we added several thousand lights to our huge oak. And our huge Christmas tree now boasts more than 4,000 lights.
What’s your best decoration shopping tip? Buy your lights online at the end of this season when retailers are trying to get rid of their stock, and individu- ally wrap your icicle lights for easier hanging and testing next year.
What do your neighbors say? “What are we going to do next year to raise more awareness for our cul-de-sac and how do we drive to collect more toys for Blue Santa?” (Karp and his neighbors use the display as a vehicle to help the charity).
How would you describe your display? Our display is centered on our magnificent Christmas tree and coordinated by our six consecutive houses to bring in the Christmas spirit.
In the end we are looking to bring Christmas spirit to the community and bring awareness to Cedar Park’s Blue Santa program. Katherine Duff 23 Meandering Way, Round Rock, www.facebook.com/ TheHalloweenHouse
How many years have you had this display? We have done a Snoopythemed display for four years. We started doing a light show to holiday music last year. This year, we added Grinch and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” yard scenes.
What’s your favorite feature? The light show and the Peanuts gang snowmen. I also love the Grinch and Max, maybe more actually.
What’s new this year? New songs were added to the light show. They are songs from many of the kids’ Christmas shows and even a very small segment from a Carly Rae Jepsen song — the teens seem to like it. We added all sorts of wonderful yard art.
What’s your best decoration shopping tip? EBay.
What do your neighbors say? Everyone seems to enjoy it. We really gauge whether people like it by the comments I hear from the little kids in the passing cars and the school bus of kids riding home who scream out as they drive by.
How would you describe your display? It’s more than the Christmas lights — it’s the fun holiday music, the classic Christmas characters and the extension of the themes in the yard to the inside of the house.