Letting the lights lead

KAREN WIGHT

I have created a family of Christmas-light fanatics, and I happily

perpetuate the tradition year after year.

I like nothing more than arming myself with a Starbucks peppermint

hot chocolate, popping the Vince Guaraldi Trio playing “A Charlie

Brown Christmas” into the CD player of the car and cruising around

town looking at the fabulous light displays. Each year, there are new

twists and new venues to explore. The Castaways has won the Wight

House annual award in the past with each house fabulously lighted up

and proudly showing off all those intricate roof lines.

Ocean Boulevard is beautiful, with magnificent homes on one side

and the harbor on the other. Fashion Island is always a winner with

its monumental tree, roving carolers and shopping ambience. Kings

Road in Cliff Haven is always well-appointed, and if you’re willing

to brave the elements, nothing surpasses a harbor cruise to

appreciate some of the world’s best real estate.

Unfortunately, my favorite house on Costa Mesa Street fell under

the Grinch’s spell this year.

I hope next year brings the intensely creative and colorful

display back to life. In my opinion, it is hands-down the

best-executed Christmas light display I have ever seen. And that’s

saying something.

This year, Wight House kudos go to south bay front on Balboa

Island. If you haven’t taken the time to walk around the island

during the holiday season, seize the opportunity soon.

The boulevard is like a walking home tour. When you live on the

bay front, there’s an unwritten agreement that passersby have the

right to ogle -- I guess you get used to it after a while -- and ogle

you will, because the light displays could make Ebenezer Scrooge

smile.

There is a gingerbread extravaganza dock display, complete with

charming house, gingerbread men, tree and lights galore. There is a

yard with sky-high palm trees wrapped like candy canes (the lines are

seamless. How did they do that?). There is lighted animation, rooftop

displays, trees decked with enormous ornaments and lights, lights,

and more lights of every variety. There is kitsch, cute, elegant,

over- the-top and downright awe inspiring. Look over your shoulder,

and you can see the pavilion and fun zone lighted with holiday cheer.

How often do Southern Californians get a chance to declare the

weather conditions nippy and get bundled up? Exactly, not many. This

is an activity that must be done. Island commerce has made it easy to

follow my prescription for holiday merriment: Grab a hot beverage on

Marine Avenue and walk directly in any direction. It’s an island; you

can’t go wrong. And take a moment to count your blessings, be

grateful for our lives of plenty, and have yourselves a merry little

Christmas.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Thursdays.