Christmas lights. You string them up. You plug them in. Then you take them all down. Don’t worry, this December you won’t have to break your back. We made a list of the top 6 Christmas displays in your local neighborhood. So bundle up your kids and pour some cocoa into a thermos. You’re going for a road trip!
Long before any of us had electricity, wintery folk decorated dead trees with flaming candles. . . inside their homes. Yikes. Yep, we’ve come along way in a hundred years. The 1960’s saved the day, ushering in Christmas with a new decoration. Electric strings of light outlined every ranch style home from here to the North Pole. Which is why we’ve selected this charming throwback as sixth on our list. Check out 16th and Niagara, nestled snugly at the top of Astoria hill. We were delighted to spot the Grinch, as well as Cindy Lou Who. Head up the hill and see if you can find anybody we missed.
We asked the homeowner where he got his Christmas Spirit. While he chose to remain anonymous, he did give us a simple reply. “They like my lights, we like puttin’ em up.” Enough said. This is Clatsop County after all.
- Recent times haven’t always been bright neon bulbs and golden icicles. The 1970’s had a strange turn of events. President Nixon actually urged all of his fellow Americans not to put up Christmas lights. While some might see it as a Scrooge move, Nixon only had the best in mind for the country he was responsible to keep running. What began as an oil embargo in the Middle East, ended with an oil shortage for the United States. Amazingly, many citizens obliged Nixon’s request, choosing to save power for the good of their countrymen.
Fortunately, this isn’t 1973 anymore. Which is why this patriotic neighborhood landed 5th on our list. Take a ride, or stroll, down Coast Guard housing. You’ll find it on West Klaskanine Avenue in Astoria. Start at the top of the hill and make your way down, then turn right on Alameda. You’ll be glad you did. ( No photos of this location too many to include)
“It’s a still, cold night,” said one festive observer out to see the lights. “Cold enough to redden the end of your nose and savor the sensation of hot cocoa. There’s a special adventure waiting to be discovered. The traveled roads of day to day seem to hold a whole other route!”
Indeed, it’s as if another world comes to life every December night. Which is why we’re giving a nod to this special homeowner who went with an unconventional display. Sure, there’s a Frosty the Snowman, a twinkling porch and 3D lights up on the frame. However, we have to give them props for best achievement in plants. We’re still not sure if they were trying to do a Christmas version of celery. Vegetables or not, we love it. We know you will too. Head over to Madison on 8th Street in Astoria. This delightful venue overlooks Fred Lindstrom Park, right above the tennis court.
A string of Christmas lights is typically comprised of incandescent bulbs. Or, as we like to call them, irreplaceable bulbs. For once one goes out, they’re nearly impossible to repair. Many strings even feature a circuit system. This means that when one goes out completely, they’ll all go out. All because of one faulty little light. Which is we might say together is truly not always better.
Two neighbors proved us wrong though and we’re glad they did! Third on our list is this a pair of neighboring homes full of Christmas cheer, proving the season true to its roots. A time for neighborly love indeed. Check out Lexington on 8th, on your right as you head up Astoria hill. We’re calling these ones the Tinker Tinsel Twins.
“A hidden gem,” said one onlooker. “An array of of dripping lights cascading down the roofs. A normal night sparkling in moonlight.”
Get lost on SW Elm Avenue in Warrenton. It’s a maze, but you’ll find this worthy display easy to find. It’s somewhere right before you lose hope in your directional skills and right after you pull out a GPS to get out. Still, you won’t be disappointed. These guys went back to the beginning, when people decorated trees instead of houses. Only their trees weren’t 30 feet tall. This venue is one of the best we saw in the Warrenton area. Beautiful railing and frames with the garage joining the fun too. To the hardworking family that made this happen, your trees are the best we’ve seen.
If it’s not the light bulbs giving you grief, then it’s the string. There’s nothing worse than the day after Thanksgiving when you walk into the garage only to find a tangled mess of light. We both know what really happened. You were exhausted from taking them down last year so you threw them into that box in haste. You thought to yourself, “I’ll come back later and coil them properly.” Only problem is you never did.
One homeowner found a loophole. He’s gotten around the issue of messy cords every year by utilizing shiny 3D technology. When we drove up to this venue, we thought we were looking into a portal to alternate Christmas dimension. Not only are all the lights digitized, but they’re swirling and dancing as well. If Santa ever had a house party, it’d look something like this. You can find this 3D razzle dazzle between East and West Klaskanine in Astoria. Photos won’t do this one much justice. You’ll have to go see it for yourself. If you bring cookies, we’ll meet you there.
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And coming in at #1, is the The D.K. Warren House. An important landmark in Warrenton. Daniel Knight Warren, who founded the town, built the house in 1885 facing east on the entrance of the Skipanon River. Located at 107 NE Skipanon Drive, the historic house is worth a visit, although it is not open for tours. Teale and Mike Adelmann, owners and stewards of the home, add their own special touches to this local historic landmark. Around the holidays, you will find rows of cars outside of their house.
For Christmas, you will find a themed light show, corresponding to music played on 95.7 FM. Tune your dial to the radio while you enjoy the light show.This is a MUST SEE for the whole family!
Know of any we missed? Let us know! Show us your pictures and videos on Facebook by tagging us in your post: @ClatsopNews.com…Merry Christmas!
