Christmas Houses - Lights and Decorations

Michelle Kruse · Post by **Michelle Kruse** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:55 pm

One of my favorite Christmas memories is loading up the kids and driving around town looking at everyone's holiday lights. We always had special houses we drove by each year to see what was added to the front yard. Being new to Lakewood, I don't know the special houses and streets that put on a great Christmas show. Could you "old timers" please list the best streets or individual houses that go all out. I'd love to continue the Christmas Houses tradition here.

John Guscott · Post by **John Guscott** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:17 pm

great idea to locate the best decorations in Lakewood!

I remember this crazy display on Bonnieview and Clifton back in the 70s & 80s that would have viewers backing up traffic several cars deep. The entire lighting display cycle lasted a few minutes. Does anyone else recall this? My grandmother's house was on flipside of this house on Edwards Ave and we could partially watch the show from her backyard.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, a neighbor of ours would just change their standard porch light to blue for the holidays. I never understood that...

ok, i detect a possible LO contest: Best Holiday Lights in Lakewood. Categories could be overall best, most tasteful, most annoying, most humorous, etc.

Stephen Eisel · Post by **Stephen Eisel** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:20 pm

I remember this crazy display on Bonnieview and Clifton back in the 70s & 80s that would have viewers backing up traffic several cars deep. The entire lighting display cycle lasted a few minutes.

that display rocked!

Shannon Hoffman · Post by **Shannon Hoffman** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:48 am

Last year I ran across 2 unique displays. I can't remember exactly where or if they're up this year, maybe someone out there knows? One was a Christmas tree made of hubcaps and the other was a swordfish (I think) wearing a Santa hat as I recall. If any one knows if they are up this year, please post!

Joe Ott · Post by **Joe Ott** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:04 am

Shannon Hoffman wrote:tree made of hubcaps

Andrews. Midway'ish between Clifton and the tracks.

c. dawson · Post by **c. dawson** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 1:33 pm

There's a pretty cool light display on a house on Webb, on the east side of the street, north of the tracks, I think.

Chris Trapp · Post by **Chris Trapp** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 6:39 pm

The house at the northeast corner of Bunts and Franklin has lights and decorations for every holiday of the year. I think they have decorations out more days than not. We really enjoy driving by this house.

dl meckes · Post by **dl meckes** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:12 pm

Chris, I mentioned that house earlier. They appear to be fun people.

I also notice a house I assume belongs to a Slife that is brightly decked out for Christmas.

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 8:42 am

dl meckes wrote:I also notice a house I assume belongs to a Slife that is brightly decked out for Christmas.

Photos from my December photo blog off the front page. I have been adding nightly, and would encourage others to do the same!

From the traditional

To the new and hip!

The delightfully understated.

And even the ones we don't like to see! Stay safe this holiday season.

.

stephen davis · Post by **stephen davis** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:47 pm

Jim,

As we know, Lakewood IS the "City of Lights". That's why many consider Lakewood the Paris of Cleveland's inner ring suburbs.

Steve

Bret Callentine · Post by **Bret Callentine** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 7:54 am

I'm sad to say, I don't think the hubcap tree is up this year. That was always my favorite. I hope they didn't move.

On another note, whomever it is that lives in the house that is diagonal to Lakewood High School on Franklin should get a commendation from the city. That house is always completely decked out for EVERY holiday. It's awesome!!!! I smile every time I drive past it, to the extent that I feel we should be donating to their electric bill or something.

Actually, if the LO project is about giving back to the community, I would suggest we have a contest, house with the best lights gets their December electricity bill paid for.

I am really looking forward to our annual Christmas Eve drive through the streets of Lakewood looking at all the lights.

Joe Ott · Post by **Joe Ott** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:30 am

Bret Callentine wrote:On another note, whomever it is that lives in the house that is diagonal to Lakewood High School on Franklin should get a commendation from the city.

Isn't that the guy who used to own (maybe still does) that import repair shop on W.117th? That place still there? Jim?

Christmas lights: there is a house on Edanola near Sloane that every year has a their house lit up so much Clark W. Griswold would be jealous. It is on the Rocky River side of the street. No, it's not my house. Haven't been by there yet this year so I don't know for sure if it is lit up or not. I suspect it is.

Dee Krupp · Post by **Dee Krupp** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 9:20 am

Bret Callentine wrote: On another note, whomever it is that lives in the house that is diagonal to Lakewood High School on Franklin should get a commendation from the city. That house is always completely decked out for EVERY holiday. It's awesome!!!! I smile every time I drive past it, to the extent that I feel we should be donating to their electric bill or something.

Actually, if the LO project is about giving back to the community, I would suggest we have a contest, house with the best lights gets their December electricity bill paid for.

I am really looking forward to our annual Christmas Eve drive through the streets of Lakewood looking at all the lights.

That house makes me smile too!! And it's no understatement that they literally decorate EVERY holiday. One morning I saw the lady of the house out in her pajamas making some adjustments.

dl meckes · Post by **dl meckes** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:09 am

I missed pointing out to Jim an apartment window with a great one string of lights decoration on the corner of McKinley and Madison. The window is on McKinley, on the west side of the street (across from Endress & Endress).

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:07 pm