Outdoor Christmas Display Contest at My Home

 In a very small town, one Christmas, I entered the house decorating contest for Christmas. I really hoped to win and worked hard just for the love of what I was doing. 

I designed, cut, and sewed and painted six elves. I think it was six elves. The swing set had to be in the front yard because the back yard was rough. Also, I could not see the back yard from the kitchen and den so I could keep an eye on the children. This was a parsonage, so it was not my decision as to house, yard, or windows. 

The swing set was new enough I did not want to paint it. So, foil covered the whole frame. I think I put tinsel ropes on the swing ropes. 

I wired an elf on each of the swings. Then, I wired the swings so that it looked like they were in motion. One elf was toward the back of the swinging.  Then, I wired an elf onto the slide. 

My doll bed was put into the front yard and an elf was sleeping on it. I may have put an elf on my son's tricycle. 

There was one spotlight, maybe more, trained onto the scene. Really, I cannot imagine being able to afford over one spotlight. 

We looked at other house's lights and it looked like I had a good chance. Finally, the winner was announced. I did not win. A man who had a single item won. He had money and was "someone" and had a Santa climbing into a window from a balcony. 

Yes, I was disappointed. But, that was nothing compared to the ire of people in town who made sure the judges and anyone who would listen heard how patently unfair the decision was. I was shocked at the passion all about, the phone calls I received, and the in-person comments and condolences I received. 

Life is not fair, yet I knew I did have the winning display. Lest you think of this as sour grapes, members of the community told me why he won! I was confused. 

This was in 1971 or 1972. Big light displays were not heard of, and especially not in this tiny town. Before the contest, I received much positive feedback. 

So, that is how I almost won first place. Pooh, and there was no second place. So, that means I lost. Somewhere, I do have a picture.

Have you ever decorated big outdoors? Won a decorating contest at Christmas? Do you decorate outdoors at all?