We’ve all got one of those neighbors that have watched the movie “Christmas Vacation” a few too many times, and seek to outdo the Grizzwolds in holiday home and lawn décor.  The one that creates so much light from their holiday display, you worry that planes may veer towards your house in confusion.  If it is a neighbor you are not particularly fond of, you draw the blinds, count down the days until January, and laugh when the neighborhood kids rearrange their light-up reindeer into compromising poses.  But if is a neighbor you love, and if you’re filled with the holiday spirit, here’s a way you can acknowledge all of their hard work and creativity.

            Enter your neighbor……or yourself, for that matter……. in the “Deck the House” contest sponsored by Patch.com, for a chance to win $100,000 for your local school district and $500 to pay your electric bills!  The website contends that they are looking “to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America—the best “decked” house in the country—the one home so spectacularly decorated that everyone in town jokes your holiday decorations could rival Rockefeller Center’s. (https://nelsonjsalon.com) ”

If this sounds like your house, or your neighbor’s house, upload a photo or video of your home to the contest page between the dates of  Nov. 26 to Dec. 16   All homes in Patch.com towns throughout the country are eligible, (which includes the Cranford, Westfield, and Scotch Plains area).  They will select 24 regional finalists, and ultimately one grand prize winner.  Patch will pay up to $500 of the utility bill for each finalist, while the national winner will have $100,000 donated to his or her local school district.  Go to http://deckthehouse.patch.com/ (beginning November 26) to enter and to get more details.  

            C’mon , people.  It’s Christmas.  Deck the halls and deck the house, don’t deck your neighbor!