In Collingswood, the holiday season is not just about twinkling lights and festive decorations, but about creating a sense of nostalgia, joy and community.
For Desiree Wright, Christmas decorating is a very personal tradition. “Every year I come up with a theme, and this year I chose ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’” said Wright, who has transformed her home into a holiday wonderland.
Her decorations are not just about the present, they reflect cherished memories from her childhood. “Everything in the front of my house is [from] when I was little,” Wright explained. ‘We watched The Peanuts as a family and then we baked cookies. I love the Heatmiser, I love the Grinch.”
CBS Philadelphia
CBS Philadelphia
CBS Philadelphia
Wright is one of many residents participating in Collingswood’s Holiday House Decorating Contest, the annual tradition that has become a beloved way for homeowners to share their festive spirit with the greater community.
The competition has become increasingly popular as more and more residents go out of their way to create dazzling displays that light up the neighborhood.
Lindsey Ferguson of the Borough of Collingswood noted that the competition was born out of a desire to showcase the incredible creativity of local homeowners. “It was something where we saw our residents really go above and beyond to do these amazing displays,” Ferguson said.
Joey DeMarco is another Collingswood resident who shares the same passion for Christmas decorations. “I remember as a kid how special Christmas always felt, and not just the day, but the entire season,” DeMarco says. “I loved looking at the lights. I loved doing all the activities, the movies. So I’ve always continued that and just try to keep doing that for the kids.”
CBS Philadelphia
The holiday decoration competition consists of three categories:
- Most classic
- Most creative
- Best block
Wright said the competition is about more than just winning. “It’s a competition, but it gets the whole city into a festive mood. It’s just magical.”
