Holiday Decorating Contest-Bring it On!

So about a week ago, I was beyond excited to get a flyer in my mailbox that announced a “neighborhood holiday decorating contest”, with a grand prize of $500 (!) for the best decorated home! Would you say this type of thing is right up my (or any other home decor blog lover’s alley?). Game On!

All the homes around our lake are invited to participate, and its going to be gorgeous to see the homes across the water all lit up on the other side.

The view across the lake during the day

This neighborhood is full of porches and traditional details (part of what led us to purchase here) so beautiful outside decorations come with the territory.

Unfortunately, in considering the contest, I knew right away we would have some major disadvantages. First off, while my kids love the “Clark Griswald” style houses with lights everywhere and inflatables throughout the yard, my taste runs to the much simpler side. At the holidays I typically use a lot of natural elements mixed with all white lights. And, spending hours on our roof in the gusting coastal winds we have been having here to hang lights is just not going to happen in our family.

Here we are, getting started…

But, we have to give it a good try after all. Since the judging is being done at night obviously lights are going to be HUGE. However the judging is being done by the neighborhood “ladies” who are being taken by limousine to vote on our favorite houses (after Ladies’ Happy Hour, courtesy of our builder–isn’t that nice?) so its going to be really interesting to see who gets the winning votes. Already, some houses are definitely throwing their hats in the ring!

(You know what’s funny? I have noticed now once it dark there are more and more cars creeping by outside, the neighbors seem to be “stalking” out the competition– and I just might be one of them, of course with a camera in hand!)

This pretty home was the former model in our neighborhood, and you can tell they are “in it to win it!”

I do really love to decorate for Christmas, but I usually spend more time on the inside then the outside. We put up a few outside icicle lights, and I always do the traditional wreaths on the outside and candles inside my windows. It is obvious we are going to have to step it up a bit this year, just to fit in here 🙂 . If you follow me on Pinterest (you can HERE), you will see that I have been pinning outdoor decoration pics like crazy for inspiration!

So, stay tuned. I will be sure to show what we wind up with in the end, and hopefully reveal images of the home that wins on December 7th.