There are few places around the country where you can find Christmas lights like you do in Richmond, or so I like to believe. We have some of the most creative, “bright” people who transform their yards, their homes and their neighborhoods into a Christmas masterpiece.
Growing up, there was one house we always had to visit on our tacky light tour. It is, quite possibly, the most famous house in Richmond’s tacky light history. They’ve been published in a book on tacky light tours, featured in a documentary, and they always make it on my tacky light tour.
As you turn into the neighborhood, you see their trees lit up above the rooflines of their neighbors’ homes, lighting up the night sky. It is a remarkable sight.
Two Christmases ago, we were eagerly anticipating T’s arrival. But last year, we got to celebrate with her. If we only went to one house, it had to be this one. I needed her to experience the lights from the very beginning.
Two houses, one mother, one son, are decked out from curb to rooftop. Cutouts of your favorite cartoon characters, lighted scenes throughout the yard. Santa on the roof and baby dolls in the sunroom. You could be entertained for hours walking around the yards.
I had never walked through their yard, but I was going all in with our baby girl. She was going to love this.
Her eyes lit up when we walked up the driveway. It was a bitterly cold evening, but she didn’t care. Neither did I.
She starred at the lights with an almost-one-year-old grin and even toddled up the sidewalk herself.
I don’t know when, but we’ll go again this year, too. And next year.
There is nothing like sharing a lifelong Christmas tradition with your child.
