The Best Christmas Lights

The crisp air of Christmas Eve wrapped around Jake and Tatianna as they strolled through their neighborhood, their breath visible in the chilly night. Houses were aglow with twinkling lights, reindeer displays, and inflatable Santas, giving the streets a magical, festive vibe.

Jake zipped his jacket tighter and nudged Tatianna. “That house over there has a reindeer with a glowing nose. Pretty cool, huh?”

Tatianna smirked, her hands stuffed into her coat pockets. “Cool, but not impressive. Let’s see if someone’s gone all out this year.”

They continued down the street, laughing at a few houses with clashing decorations or blown-over inflatables. Then, they turned a corner and froze.

“Whoa,” Jake breathed.

Before them stood a house that could have been plucked from a Christmas movie. Strings of colorful lights outlined every window, the roof, and even the bushes. In the front yard, a massive Christmas tree sparkled with ornaments and tinsel, its star glowing brightly. The house itself seemed to pulse with holiday cheer, as if it were alive with the spirit of Christmas.

“Okay,” Tatianna said, crossing her arms, “this one wins. Hands down.”

“Yeah,” Jake agreed, stepping closer to get a better look. “They’ve got a train running through the yard! Look at that!”

Tatianna laughed. “Now that’s dedication. Can you imagine how much their electricity bill is?”

Jake grinned. “Worth it.”

Tatianna nodded “our house can’t even compete with this one, I mean ours is alright but nowhere near this one”