Why I make the Holiday Decoration Maps every year..

Last year, while touring the 2021 #Holidays613 map - we saw full yards of lights & blow ups. We saw vintage handmade decorations. We saw a big beautiful tree covered in lights all the way to the sky. We saw a light show flowing along to Christmas tunes. We saw simple & elegant strings of lights topped off with a front door wreath (think home alone style). We even saw a park lined with backyard fences that someone took the time to decorate so people walking through the park had pretty lights to guide them home. All of this through a freshly fallen, sparkling, December snow.

But, you know what the BEST part was? No matter how many or how little lights a house had, my 7 year old daughter gasped in excitement at EACH and EVERY one of them. (And frankly, so did I) “That’s it,” I said, “that’s the feeling.”

I created these maps not out of competition of who had the biggest display, or who had the most money to spend. But, to create a feeling. As a family, a couple, some friends, or a peaceful walk with your dog - you can enjoy other people’s love for their holidays FOR FREE . To see someone’s home decorated for Halloween, Christmas, or whatever reason or holiday they celebrate & know they worked hard, spending their precious time on it - lets you enjoy it even more. On the other side, the passerby’s faces - seeing them from the front window, no matter the age, are lighting up with smiles, gasps, & pure enjoyment. #worthit

So please, if you are thinking your decorations aren’t “grand” enough for our map - you are wrong. Send us a pic, so people can make up their own mind. It’s truly heartwarming to see streets lit up & glistening in the snow.

There are no lines & no tickets to see houses or enjoy our map. This is something free you can enjoy anytime: our map of decorations and lights around Ottawa, the Valley, and beyond!

Some homes may be accepting but not requiring, donations for a local charity - so please consider donating if you have the means.

Thank you to everyone who has put a smile in my heart already, we can’t wait for our next drive

jessi