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Bright dazzling holiday lights have been illuminating neighborhoods for years, but for some Valley residents lights have become a form of Christmas masterpieces, with their creation of jaw-dropping, one-of-a-kind holiday light displays.
Collecting decorations year-round, El Centro resident Raul de la Torre and his parents have made their lights a staple tradition in their family.
“It makes us feel really festive for the holiday season,” de la Torre said.
As part of their traditions, the de la Torre family spends roughly three to four days orchestrating their Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving.
“We’d start around 10 a.m. and end around sunset. I remember when I was 4 or 5 years old, I would help out my dad and mom decorate with the small stuff like putting down the candy canes, or place lights on the bushes,” de la Torre recalled.
For more than a month, neighbors and friends have had the opportunity to spend their evenings passing by the de la Torre home to take in their dazzling multicolored lights, candy cane walkways and a waving Santa Claus in an inflatable air balloon, among other decorations.
“We have the lights on all night Christmas Eve into Christmas morning and we’ve seen many people stop by and take pictures; it’s really nice,” he said.
Always looking for the next best thing to add to their Christmas work of art, the De la Torre family is also encouraging others to create their own extravagant light displays with some helpful tips.
“You have to start planning early and start collecting stuff throughout the year, so you have an idea of what you want to put in your house. I encourage everyone to go all out too,” he said.
Known for doing just that, the Salcedo family of Calexico has also been attracting visitors for years, as they continue to create charming Christmas wonderlands.
“Christmas is about hope and love and being with family. So we all want to be festive and decorate our homes to reflect just that,” homeowner Guadalupe Salcedo said in Spanish.
As lighted up as the family’s home is this year, Salcedo maintains it is nothing compared to former years.
“We started doing our decoration big, because Christmas is a big thing, but what we have right now is nothing compared to what we’ve had in past years. We used to put lights on the top of the roof and play Christmas songs, but with the weather we haven’t put them on,” Salcedo said.
Like the Salcedo family, Brawley resident Nancy McLaughlin has also taken pride and joy in making her home one of a kind with her array of lights and inflatable Christmas characters.
“I do it just for people to enjoy,” McLaughlin said.
With seven friends and family by her side to help make her Christmas vision become a reality, McLaughlin was able to craft a Christmas light paradise.
“I like Christmas and I like the lights. It’s just nice to see people slow down and make comments; it’s really nice,” she said.
Despite having had some decorations stolen, McLaughlin still holds her Christmas lights display dear to her heart.
“It looked a lot better before I got some stuff stolen, but come next year it’s going to look even better with more stuff,” McLaughlin said.
Staff Writer Celeste Alvarez can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at calvarez@ivpressonline.com
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