Lighting up the Night

 There's something that I absolutely love about this time of year.  It's not the crowds, the long lines or freezing cold temperatures.  It's the amazing holiday lights.   In fact, from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, there's one home in our neighborhood that we visit every year that features several rows of toy soldiers, five glass displays on their lawn with animatronic characters and a huge hot air balloon that's suspended above their front door.  There's even a huge sleigh with Santa and all his reindeer on their roof!   No matter how old my kids get, they love visiting "The Holiday House" while my husband and I contemplate how much their electric bill must be for the month.

We also recently visited an amazing attraction in Maryland while visiting with family.  At Brookside Gardens, located in Montgomery County, the trees are adorned with incredible light displays.  From dragons, to frogs, reindeer, flowers, rainbows, sound effects and more, the displays are absolutely breathtaking.   I also loved that you could even purchase floral lights from the gift shop.  I'm a huge flower lover, so for me, seeing lights that are in the form of tulips, roses and hyacinths was simply amazing.  Just think - you could plug in your pretty flowers and they never die!

One of my all time favorite holiday light memories comes from the most magical place on earth - Disneyworld.  From November 3 through January 3, visitors are treated to the Spectacle of Lights, Holidays Around the World at Epcot and the Candlelight Processional.  There is nothing like watching your kids' eyes light up when they sit along the parade route marveling at Disney's holiday extravaganza.  I still remember the year that my daughter got the chance to join part of the procession hand in hand with a Disney Princess.  My one suggestion if you are visiting Disney this time of year, bundle up, because it can get pretty chilly...especially at night!

If you'd like to find out some more great places to visit for holiday light shows,  RVT.com shares some great locations across the United States (from Tennessee to Texas) where you can drive through an illuminated winter wonderland and marvel at the sites while you're warm and toasty in your car, minivan or RV.

Do you have a home in your area that's decked out this time of year or a place you've been where the holiday lights have literally taken your breath away?  I'd love to hear about it!