The Observation Deck

3rd Annual Lakewood Observer Holiday Decoration Competition!

Send in photos or addresses of your favorite holiday decorations, we will add them to the growing list, and winners will be picked in a variety of classes, including a GRAND PRIZE WINNER!

TIME TO VOTE!
You can visit all 150 homes that were chosen here: http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... ntest-2016

While looking at the beautiful displays, write down the numbers of those that move you in the holiday spirit.

THEN TO VOTE GO TO: http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/daily-q ... 2016-12-22

And list your favorite displays. You can list up to 5, and you can vote daily. You can also suggest a category for your choice, and or suggest a house that did not appear in our list.

DECEMBER 28 VOTING ENDS AT MIDNIGHT!

Winners announced New Years Day!



There will be categories for best display, best display with and inflatable, best traditional display no lights, best business window, best duplex both decorated, best duplex one decorated, apartment porches, apartment windows, best block, etc.







They will all be displayed here: http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... ntest-2016

So get those decorations up, and get those suggestions and photos sent in, you might win something!

.

Jim,
Great idea and great pictures. Looks like you are off to a great start!

Good call.

As soon as I saw Jim's post, my first thought was "Lights and display contest?? Good grief!"

Sounds like a splendid idea, though. I particularly appreciate the thought for the many different dwelling types we've got here in Lakewood.

Jim - Are renters allowed to enter the contest Merry Christmas, old pal.

And to all my friends back in The Wood ... peace; and goodwill to all!

Peter Grossetti wrote:Jim - Are renters allowed to enter the contest Merry Christmas, old pal.

And to all my friends back in The Wood ... peace; and goodwill to all!

Peter

Yes, they can.

MJK

You probably have not been bored with this story before, so I will repeat it. One December night I was on a Field Trip around the city with members of the Observer. We were noticing holiday lights, and the various styles and techniques. Were they elaborate festive Christmas decorations? Minimalists holiday decorations, or?

As happen in life as we drove around we talked and enjoyed and even laughed at many places. Then the conversation turned to the minimalists, and as it is about the Observation. When a person merely changes the color of the porch light from white to red or green, legit? What posses a parson who might not be caught up in the holiday make any effort to celebrate it openly? Was it a spouse or a friend that demanded something? Which brought us to discussing, people using one string of lights? How does one even decorate with one strand, when many use 10 or more? Would it not be harder with less than with more, who deserves the praise and admiration?

Then we ran into this house...

Delightfully understated. A red blanket over the second floor window, and a green blanket on the first floor.

One each side of the house in both direction, no holiday decorations. Certainly this person deserves a nod over his neighbors. It is also original, and delightful from afar.

There was no contest, but this could have won, best use of non-traditional items, and no additional lights in a Christmas Display.

As we drove around and chuckled and laughed, and framed, "Lakewood is the Paris of Cleveland's Inner Ring Suburbs" years before Scene claimed "Cleveland as the Paris of the Midwest." Which is where this postcard comes from.



So as I sat at home, looking and editing the various photos for the Observer, I ran into this one I took of the nasty little fake Christmas tree in Dollar General's window.



And I had the very Charlie Brown Christmas moment, that Brian posted, I am sure Brian does not know this story either. But Charlie Brown's Christmas is deep into the psyche of all Christian Americans, or those that celebrate the holidays.

Simply put, because so many forget this time of year. It is not the tree, but the thought. It is not the beauty of a tree covered in ornaments, but the love of that fills the room.

+1 for the red and green blankets. Genius.

No display will ever top the old Andrews Avenue Hubcap Christmas tree. I really miss it. http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3255

You guys blew me away, what a nice and beautiful and peaceful forum. Thank you so much for giving me the sprit of Christmas, I was lacking.

Business and more homes added, here are a couple.

YES, you can nominate yourself.

YES, you can send in your own photo.









More and more coming everyday.

Send in yours.

.

Our route home included a drive south on Belle, from Lake to Madison. I suspect that the residents of that street are having some sort of unofficial competition.

dl meckes wrote:Our route home included a drive south on Belle, from Lake to Madison. I suspect that the residents of that street are having some sort of unofficial competition.

DL


Thanks for the tip, we have added those...





Also some great lighting displays on Arthur!





And over 130 photos from around Lakewood!



Lakewood's real Christmas Tree at the Beer Engine!

Made entirely out of beer kegs.


Live Deer!




Over 130 lighting displays so far, deadline 7 days away! Yes you can send in photos and suggestions!
http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/photobl ... ntest-2016

.