CCH is ablaze for the Holidays, a sparkling splendor of seasonal spirit. The CCH Garden Club judging committee traveled the streets Monday evening, December 18th, viewing the many contenders.  This year, the competition was fierce with an abundance of creative contributions in the four categories, making the judging committee’s decisions no easy task.  Picking just four is always difficult, so we will look to enhance the categories next year to be more inclusive of the variety of creative contributions.  As always, we greatly appreciate all the effort our homeowners put into decorating the neighborhood to illuminate our community. Without further ado, here are the 2023 winners!

TRADITIONAL: The Rosenberger family at 9915 Pinehurst Avenue is our pick this year for the traditional category. Their display centered around a radiant representation of the manger, with warmly illuminated pine boughs embracing the baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The windows outlined with seasonal greenery and adorned with wreaths, and the undulating warm white lights on the roof create an inviting ambiance, encouraging onlookers to pause and reflect on the true reason for the season.

INFLATABLES: The Toskovich residence at 3512 Spring Lake Terrace stole the show in the inflatables category. A whimsical menagerie of illuminated inflatable characters, including Santa, reindeer, polar bear, penguin, Yoda, and Mickey Mouse, took center stage against their thoughtfully lit house. The roofline, embellished with warm white icicle lights, and the colorful lights on the bushes complemented each other, while red and green laser lights danced around the brick facade, adding an extra touch of holiday magic.

BEST LIGHTING: The Koerner family home at 3404 Brookwood Drive illuminated the night and claimed the prize for the best lighting. Vibrant multi-colored lights decked the roofline, chimney, and front bushes, showcasing meticulous attention to detail.  A stand-alone candy cane completes the scene.  We really appreciated the effort taken to include coordinated tones of colored lights and the extra work involved in lining the roofline, transforming their home into a radiant beacon of holiday cheer.

JUDGES CHOICE: The McKenzie family at 3408 Brookwood Drive captured the judges’ hearts with a striking display, there is so much to enjoy here!  Warm white and red lights blanketed bushes and trees, leading to a welcoming front door decorated with seasonal decorations. The focal wreath, red stars, candy canes, and winter characters showcased a level of detail and coordination that left a lasting impression on the judges.

HONORABLE MENTION: A nod of appreciation went to the Crawford family at 3415 Andover Drive for their wonderful incorporation of elements from each category. Warm white lights line the roof, with sparking lights that highlight a festive Merry Christmas sign and a charming train in the front yard. Traditional themes were beautifully captured through candle-lit windows with red-bow-adorned wreaths, and a cute snowman hugged the lamppost, spreading joy to all that pass by.

The CCH Garden Club expresses their heartfelt appreciation for all the decorations that made this year’s holiday season unforgettable.  We look forward to what next year will bring.

Happy Holidays!

Joyce Skoglund, Susan Pepin, and Kirsten Youngren

Country Hills Garden Club