Decorated homes brighten the holidays

’Twas the night before the night before Christmas and all through the house, every creature was stirring, yes, even the mice.

It’s harder to complete Christmas prep now with a phone gluing your hands together and your thumbs flying faster than money leaving your bank account, but somehow it still all gets done.

Those who are passionate about lighting up the outside of their homes with all things Christmas generally begin that task in earnest immediately following Remembrance Day, when the weather is still friendly. It takes tons of fussy work to get all those lights in place, and to those folks who go the extra mile to create a winter wonderland in their yard each year, an extra special MERRY CHRISTMAS to you for brightening up our cold, bleak winter.

Do I like winter? No. But those lights help disguise it.

Just one of the most beautifully decorated homes there is to be found happens to be out here in beautiful downtown Headingley. That would be the home of Jimmy and Mercy on Heartland Trail. Jimmy, an electronic engineer, adds more glitter each year, to the point where people are now taking cabs out from the city just to admire his glorious creation. Mercy, I believe, focuses more on the inside look and makes a fabulous cup of coffee. Such nice people.

Next year, Jimmy will be adding more ribbon lighting, spectrum lights (Google it), and doing everything he can to inspire the entire neighbourhood to follow his lead and light up Heartland Trail so it can be seen from space (my guess). He’s already making significant progress in that department.

And get this (I am SO far behind...), he has apps on his phone that allow him to turn his lights on and off remotely from anywhere in the world, complete with surveillance cameras which allow him to see them actually going off, or on.

I’m still having trouble figuring out my TV remotes.

Another home that attracts many admirers each year can be found on Shakespeare Bay in Westwood, the home of Kelly and spouse Jocelyn. Good heavens they do a ton of work to get it ready for Christmas viewing, with Kelly being the most direct Christmas spirit link in this happy pairing.

I took my camera by to record some of the magic a few nights ago, but was unable to capture the display in its full glory. There’s just too much (and not enough focused light, ironically) to get it all in one "exposure". But wow, great job you two.

In my search for all things Christmasy for today, my good friend Eileen Switzter Stapleton sent in a pic of one of the largest indoor trees I’ve ever seen, with the following note: "I love this photo, one of the last few Christmases with Mom and Grandma... this was also the last real tree we had and it actually broke the door frame when we pulled it into the house. Good thing my husband is carpentry savvy."

Gorgeous tree, wonderful family.

Not every home is filled with the joy of Christmas each year, sometimes "life happens" and gives us a sad Christmas every once in a while and to those experiencing that this year, sincere sympathies and a big hug.

In balance, I asked my Facebook buddies to please submit a favourite Christmas memory or two and got way more than I have room to include in today’s column.

My friend Sue K. sent in a really inspiring memory: "The year my daughter came home from hospital 10 days before Christmas... she had been in for a couple of months after cancer surgery. She had no movement in her arms and hands and the best Christmas present was she was finally able to push the button on the TV remote to change the channels. Best Christmas ever!!"

Funny one from James Templeton: "I was about five years old, sick with a cold. Mom had me wrapped up on the couch by the tree. One of my gifts was a little bow and arrow set. I sat there and picked off the ornaments with that thing. She came to check on me. It got taken away REAL QUICK!"

And no question, this is a very special Christmas for Larrisa M.: "This year I am a first time Baba. Feeling blessed!!"

My friend Char says her most memorable Christmas memory is when she and her brother (as kids), gave the presents they received to some kids who weren’t going to receive any whatsoever.

"The joy we felt in our hearts that night was more than I have ever felt since with all the money made throughout the years. It really is a better feeling to give than receive."

Perfect sentiment to "wrap" a Christmas column on. I might add that my faves were the family Christmases raising our kids, and when I was a kid my brother coming home from the oilfields of northern Alberta with some of the greatest adventure stories ever told.

The merriest of Christmases and best of the season, to one and all!

Comments or feedback, love to hear from you!

lmustard1948@gmail.com