Norcross Yards Full of Festivity

A drive through the neighborhoods of Norcross will leave you with one unmistakeable impression: residents went big this holiday season, spreading cheer with tons of strewn lights and whimsical yard displays.

After a four-hour tour, the judges in the city Holiday Yard Decoration Contest narrowed the field to the following outstanding yards. Patch has even created a nifty map to aide you on your holiday drive in Norcross. (Just use the print icon near the “My Places” tab to print the map.) Also a aplacetoimagine.com will have more runners-up and great yards to check out. 

Don’t forget to enter a picture of your home in Patch’s national Deck Your House contest. Enter a picture of your house for a chance to win $100,000 for local schools. Seriously, there are some great contenders out there--you've got until Dec. 26 to enter. 

Best Meaning of Christmas: Live Nativity at 240 Longview Dr.

The judges were delightfully surprised by the work of neighborhood kids, led by Madeline Heaner, to . They decided to create a special category about grasping the meaning of the season.

Best Traditional: 566 N. Peachtree St.

Eddie and Pam Pafford’s tasteful decoration of the stately white home, built in the early 1900s, is a study in traditional Christmas decoration.  The way the home is lit displays the abundant wreaths and greenery, strewn with simple white bulbs. 

Most Creative: 117 N. Peachtree St.

The judges said that kids will “undoubtedly be dreaming of sugarplums” when they check out this imaginative display, perched on the roof of the house. Ron and Shelby Horn, who think up a new theme for their display every year, said they found the old wrought iron bed in a crawl space under the house, lending inspiration for the “Night Before Christmas” showcase. The couple, who has been in the 1880s home for 38 years said they got help from their 18 grandchildren and five great grandchildren for the display. 

Most Whimsical: 464 Cochran Dr.

The judges liked that everywhere you turn is something fun in this yard, which is packed with Christmas-y detail. Arleta and Darden Cobb said they’ve been collecting the decorations since their daught was little—and now she’s 23. 

Best Overall: 5801 Glen Hollow Lane

The judges were floored by the sheer number of lights at this home, which is decorated on all four sides. And decorator Hector Viela said he’s not done yet. He said he’s been working nightly on the display from the time he gets off work until dark, and he still has a few more feet on the side of the home to get festive. He is so dedicated to his craft that he drove all over town recently looking for one single green light—a red or a blue light simply would not do. Look closely at the deer in the front feasting on pinestraw.

Looking for other places to take a night drive? These neighborhoods come recommended:

Best Overall for Kids: Everglades Trail

Just across Buford Highway, home to the Best Overall yard, this neighborhood boast tons of over-the-top, colorful yards once you drive back into it.

Other Great Neighborhoods for Cruising:

Bishops Glen

S. Barton Street

N. Peachtree Street

Pinnacle Point (Check out 2088 Pinnacle Point, which the judges say was a hot contender for “Most Creative.”)