As the Halloween decorations come down, many families are quickly shifting to Christmas preparations, transforming their homes into festive displays. In Hopwood, Pennsylvania, Wayne Long has become renowned for his elaborate holiday decorations, which take months of planning and effort.
At his residence on 96 Locust Street, Wayne Long and his family begin their preparations around six months in advance. His brother, Larry Long, starts checking the lights as early as June, while Wayne’s son, Chad Long, dedicates August to building new displays and rewiring existing ones. “There is a lot of pre-work before we start putting stuff in the yard in October,” said Chad. The result of their hard work is a stunning display that spans over four acres, featuring a staggering number of lights, possibly close to one million. One tree alone boasts over 25,000 lights.
Wayne Long has been decorating for Christmas since moving to his current home in 1995. “Growing up with this has been really cool,” Chad Long reflected. He cherishes the time spent with his family creating the displays, which now bring joy to his own children. Wayne invites visitors to drive up the property and enjoy the lights but requests that they stay in their vehicles. “It’s really heartwarming to hear the kids, and how excited they get about it,” Chad added.
In Peters Township, Brittany McLaughlin also embraces the festive spirit in her home. Her decorating process takes about three weeks, inspired by the holiday traditions of her grandparents and parents. “I just thought it was so important for my children to grow up in a winter wonderland,” McLaughlin shared. Her home features kitchen cabinets wrapped in ribbon and a living room adorned with ornaments collected over the years. One of her most cherished decorations, a Santa Claus figurine in front of a house, was hand-made by her grandmother, Twila Golubosky, nearly 40 years ago.
Also in Peters Township, Jesse Trapuzzano has established a unique holiday theme centered around the Grinch. For over a decade, she has decorated her home with vibrant Grinch-themed decor. “I just like all the colorful things that come along with the Grinch and Whoville; it’s very whimsical and fun compared to the traditional Christmas decor,” Trapuzzano explained. Her living room features a striking 12-foot Grinch-themed Christmas tree, while her dining room is decorated with both the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who.
Her 5-year-old son, Palmer, shares his enthusiasm for the Grinch, often giving tours of their “Grinch museum.” When asked which adaptation of the classic Dr. Seuss story they prefer, Trapuzzano mentioned the film starring Jim Carrey, while her son favors the 1966 cartoon narrated by Boris Karloff.
The Grinch theme has spread beyond Trapuzzano’s home. Benjie Graham, a 4-year-old from Washington, Pennsylvania, inspired his grandmother, Lisa Songer, to turn her home into a “Grinch House” last year. Her residence on Beech Street features striking green and red archways and a variety of Grinch decorations. “Just to see his face … I could do that every day,” Songer said, explaining her grandson’s insistence on the theme. Benjie’s reason for the Grinch obsession? “Because he’s green, and green is my favorite color,” he stated.
These families exemplify the joy and creativity of Christmas decorating, ensuring that their homes become vibrant havens of holiday cheer that delight both their loved ones and the community.
