The holiday season brightens the darkest time of the year with parties and gifts to warm the heart and twinkling lights to cheer the soul.

Holiday glimmer doesn't stop at the Christmas tree. In some families, decorating the outside of the house with strings of lights is as much a tradition as putting out cookies and milk for Santa.

Again this year, The Herald is taking its readers on a tour of local homes, where folks beckon Santa and other passersby to stop and take a look.

Here's a sampling of this year's twinkling treasures:

   » 1348 Broadway Ave. -- Caller said the house is "beautiful," with multi-colored lights and icicle lights.

   » 8198 Ulp St. -- Lights, a blown-up Santa and snowman complement lots of lighted trees in front of this house.

   » 500 block of Syme St. -- About five homes are elaborately decorated.

   » 696 Syme St. -- Lights in trees and a lighted Rudolph in the yard.

   » 6582 Stewart-Sharon Road -- Plenty of trees are festooned with white lights and icicle lights make the house glow.

   » 6700 block of Stewart-Sharon Road -- Five homes are garnished with lights and decorations.

   » 6899 Stewart-Sharon Road -- A plethora of lights decorate this home, complete with a lighted train, miniature semi-truck, church, American flag, Santa and Mrs. Claus and a manger scene.

   » 7000 block of Stewart-Sharon Road -- Features homes with toy soldiers and plenty of white lights around the house trim.

   » 7058 Stewart-Sharon Road -- White lights are precisely placed around the large batch of bushes in the yard.

   » 7256 Stewart-Sharon Road -- With an inflatable snowman, colored lights on the trees, a lighted outline of Santa and his sleigh as well as fences and reindeer nicely decorated, this house is a can't-miss.

   » 7400 Addison Road -- More than 46,000 lights decorate this house, which features a lighted "Peace On Earth" sign, icicle lights, reindeer, snowmen, an igloo, penguins, doves, miniature helicopter, a cross, an elf carrying a package, sleigh, carolers, candy canes, candles and more. Holiday music is also heard at the property.

   » 8100 block of Ohio Street -- Many houses are nicely decorated with white and colored lights.

   » Brookfield Avenue -- In the 300 block there are several homes decorated with white and colored lights; O'Brien Memorial Home is outlined with white lights.

   » Bedford Road -- Lights and jingle bell cheer decorate a few homes.

   » 1683 Masury-Hubbard Road -- Caller said nearly every holiday decoration imaginable is in this yard, making for a splendid sight.

   » 500 block Cleveland Avenue -- Several homes have white lights around the house trim and on bushes.

   » Tara, A Country Inn -- The inn and surrounding trees and shrubbery are adorned with white lights.

   » 30 Beechwood -- Residents in this home wish you "Season's Greetings" with snowmen and lights lining the windows and driveway.

   » 714 Beechwood Ave. -- This house features lights on shrubs and cute little lighted trees near the driveway.

   » 726 Beechwood Ave. -- This house has lights on the roof, shrubs and the outside of the house, with reindeer, Santa and candles highlighting the display.

   » A house in the 1200 Block of Negley Street -- Candy canes line the walkway and a Nativity scene, lighted reindeer, lights on the house and bushes set off this beautiful display.

   » 1115 Roemer Blvd. -- The whole house is filled with lights, and wreaths and a large Merry Christmas sign add nice touches.

   » 1816 Memorial Drive -- Lots of holiday lights illuminate this home and a neighboring residence.

   » 713 Darr Ave. -- A lighted Nativity scene, with decorated bushes and lit windows are among the decorations spotlighted in this home.

   » 1118 Webster Ave. -- Lighted reindeer, red bows and garland on the front of the house and lights around roof.

   » 117 Emerson Ave. -- Red lights adorn the front of this house, as well as a large white basket and pole in the yard.

   » Lisa Lane -- Several homes are adorned with nice lights.

   » 600 Block of Fruit Avenue -- Several houses are nicely decorated.

   » 340 Wasser Bridge Road -- The elaborate display by Frank and Audrey Kiser in Hempfield Township features more than 20 animated displays, a Santa's workshop, a Nativity scene, Christmas music, and about 150,000 lights. The lights are on from 5 to 11 p.m. daily. Donations are accepted, and benefit Woodland Place.

   » West Main Street, toward West Salem Township -- Several houses from the borough line into West Salem Township are well-lit with icicle sculptures, Santa Clauses and reindeer. The focal point is at the top of West Main Hill, where a well-decorated home features a light-up train sculpture and other nice decorations.

   » 200 block of Orangeville Road, West Salem Township -- Several of the homes in this area are decorated, boasting twinkle lights, decorated trees and a full Santa, sleigh and reindeer display.

   » Greenville House on Penn Avenue -- For 14 years, residents of the high-rise have decorated their balconies.

   » Near Greenville Airport on Jamestown Road -- A home displays a Nativity scene sculpted out of lights, complete with a Christmas star. Other holiday favorites can also be seen on the bright and festive lawn.

   » 157 Plum St. -- Lighted snowflakes, decorated pine trees and lined walkways illuminate this home, which also offers passersby "Season's Greetings" in scroll lights.

   » 6 Bessemer St. -- A wrap-around porch, brightly decorated, is flanked by a herd of reindeer and decorated Christmas trees.

   » Clarksville Avenue -- Many of the homes on the road into Greenville from the south, from Hempfield Avenue to Main Street, are festooned for the holiday season. At Kenmore Avenue and Clarksville, the home boasts a herd of reindeer and a light-up Nativity scene.

   » 417 W. Poplar Street -- Lighted reindeer and multi-colored lighted spiral trees.

   » Spring Street -- 612, 607 and 702 as well as a few others which include multi-colored lights blanketing shrubs and outlining houses, patriotic lights and lit wreaths.

   » Garden Avenue -- Caller said many houses on this street are beautfiully decorated with many different lights.

   » 707 and 712 Rebecca Avenue -- Holiday colored twinkling lights, lighted trees on a screened-in porch, several nicely lit trees and a lamp post.

   » 500 and 600 block of Superior Street -- A variety of icicle lights and spiral lit trees at several homes.

   » 620 Ridegeway -- White icicle lights, lighted star, Christmas mouse, and large lighted outdoor lights.

   » 500, 600 and 700 block of Tidball Avenue -- Houses include red, white and blue lights, a lighted archway, three lighted trees, green spiral trees, icicle lights and multi-colored lit bushes.

   » 545 Craig Street -- Santa and snowman delights, candy cane lighted pathway, white lighted moving reindeer. Across the street a multi-colored picket fence is a display of splendor.

   » 102 W. and 102 E. Poplar Streets -- Homes next door to each other include multi-colored icicle lights, spiral-lit trees and a lit snow flake.

   » Liberty Street -- Patriotic lights in the 500 block, including garland-style lights and lights blanketed over shrubs.

   » S. Broad Street -- Grove City's downtown is nicely decorated with large lit Christmas trees.

   » 100 block of Pine Street -- Homes decorated with patriotic and white lights, especially pretty around shrubs.

   » 120 and 138 Harvard Street -- 138 is brightly lit, reminiscent of the Griswold Family Christmas decorating from National Lampoon; 120 includes the Grinch balloon, a lighted sled and spiral lit trees.

   » 305 through 508 Bessemer Avenue -- Home decorating includes white lighted reindeer, multi-colored lights on shrubs and flagpole, lighted Frosty the Snowman head, lighted sleigh and snowman scene, gold garland with white lights, a manger scene and icicle lights.

   » 408 East Washington -- Amply lit trees with bulbs and blue banquet-style lights and a miniature house outlined in holiday lights.

   » Enterprise Road -- Various homes decorated nicely, including wooden reindeer illuminated by spotlights, green lit decorated trees, herds of white lighted reindeer, gold lit wreaths in every window of a home, orange lighted trees, lighted wrapped tree trunks, lighted carolers, multi-colored lit trees and shrubs.

   » 511 Oak Hill -- Home outlined in Christmas lights that change color plus red and green spiral Christmas trees.

   » State Street and Gilmore Avenue -- A manger scene inside a creche with dangling yellow lighted star, multi-spiral trees, and yellow ribbon to support the troops.

   » 120 N. Center Street -- Santa and sleigh, reindeer, balloon-style tree, red-lighted bells, icicle lights.

   » Caller said two homes at 26 George Junior Road and Gregg Avenue in Pine Township have stunning light displays.

   » 3651 Sample Road -- Animated deer and very pretty lights are among this home's holiday features.

   » There are several displays of lights near the corner of North Buhl Farm Drive and Parkview Boulevard.

   » Clarksville Road at Hofius Lane -- Corner lot is a "forest" of green lights.

   » 7090 E. State St. -- Residence is dazzling with blowup snowmen, trees, reindeer, a sled and many other decorations on the front of the house.

   » 2920 N. Hermitage Road -- Home is bedecked with animated deer, blow-up lights and lights going front to back.

   » 85 S. Oakdale Ave. -- This brick ranch house is adorned with multi-colored lights and has wreaths with red bows hanging in the windows. Spotlights show off the house.

   » 1051 Maple Drive -- Three large Christmas trees are lit. The display also includes Santa and his reindeer and candy canes line the driveway. A Nativity scene and many lights complete the display.

   » 6022 Mount Everett Road - Santa's workshop comes to life at this home, which boasts more than 70,000 lights, including 200 lighted lawn ornaments.

   » Depot Street -- Many of the homes are attractively lit, with icicle lighting, reindeers and pine trees.

   » 404 Scipio St. -- Icicle lights, reindeer, and a white picket fence wrapped with rope lights create an attractive display. Other homes on the street feature animated lighted deer and decorated trees.

   » 514 Spring St. -- Tastefully decorated Christmast trees and plenty of other lighted decorations grace this ranch home.

   » 163 Seidle Road -- Whole house, windows and door are outlined in lights so that it resembles a gingerbread house at night; four trees are lighted.

   » 505 N. Maple, Mercer -- Beautifully decorated for Christmas.

   » State Route 58 between Mercer and Grove City -- Worth the drive between the two boroughs. A multitude of uniquely decorated homes will be sure to please the whole family.

   » 260 New Castle St. -- Lighted wreaths with red bows and multi-colored lights on the shrubbery.

   » 4215 Bethel-New Wilmington -- White lights around the house trim and all the shrubs and bushes in the yard.

   » 4314 Bethel-New Wilmington -- Lighted Santa's workshop, Rudolph, elves and uniquely-lit Christmas trees.

   » Can be seen from the corner of state Routes 18 and 468 -- Red cross and blue snowflake-star on silos.

   » Vine Street -- One house has lighted dancing snowmen in the windows along with icicle lights, lighted reindeer and colored lights on trees.

   » Waugh Avenue -- Several homes are nicely decorated with white icicle lights.

   » Neshannock Avenue -- Several houses are festively decorated as you drive into town from state Route 18.

   » 242 Buhl Blvd. -- Beautiful lights adorn this stunning display.

   » 170 Ormond Ave. -- This house is decorated with lots of lights, garland and lawn ornaments for the holiday season.

   » 147 Strawbridge Ave. -- This house is beautifully decorated with thousands of white lights, garland, wreaths and red bows. Other homes on this street are also decorated.

   » 557 Tamplin St. -- House is decorated with many lights. Other houses on this street are also nicely decorated.

   » Case Avenue -- Many homes on this street are tastefully decorated with white lights, garland and other decorations.

   » 200 block of Service Ave. -- Houses are festooned with lights.

   » 300 block of Ormond Ave. -- A home in this block is so brightly decorated motorists can see the glow from Meek Street and from several blocks away on Ormond. In addition to thousands of lights the lawn of this home is adorned with giant nylon balloons and other decorations.

   » 761 McClure Ave. -- Assorted, colorful lights make this house festive for the holiday season. A lighted Christmas tree and many lit figurines complete the scene.

   » 763 Stambaugh Ave. -- An 8-foot-tall Santa Claus draws attention to this house that also has candy cane lights surrounding the house, and lights in the windows and on the fences. A lighted flag adorns the front of the house.

   » 400 block of Independence Court -- Several homes beautifully decorated with many white lights, wreaths, angels and trees.

   » 265 and 331 Euclid Ave. -- Houses have lots of white lights, wreaths, garland, lighted deer and snowmen. Other homes on this street are also decorated.

   » 158 Wengler Ave. -- Lots of lights and wreaths make this house festive for Christmas.

   » The 500 and 600 blocks of Wengler Avenue have homes that are nicely decorated with lights, wreaths and lit figures.

   » 1069 Pearl St. -- An array of colored lights and a Nativity scene make this house stand out. Several other homes in this block are also nicely decorated.

   » 496 Nimick St. -- A large Grinch, Santa, a snowman and many lighted lawn ornaments and lights on the house complete the display.

   » 197 Cedar Ave. -- Lots of lights decorate the house. Elves climb ladders and many trees and decorations fill the lawn. The home across the street also has lots of lights and decorations.

   » 200 block of Cedar Avenue -- Several homes are nicely decorated with lights and displays.

   » 700 block of Spencer Avenue -- Several homes are nicely decorated. One home has an inflatable snowman and polar bear on the lawn with many lights.

   » 425 S. Oakland Ave. -- House is well lit with multicolored lights.

   » 901 10th St. -- A huge lawn display makes this Christmas scene visible from blocks away. Several neighboring homes are also decorated.

   » 1140 George St. -- Lights, a Nativity scene and an American flag complete this holiday display. The neighboring house is also nicely decorated.

   » 400 block of McClure Avenue -- Several homes are decorated with lots of lights.

   » 1106 Woodland Place -- There are a ton of decorated trees in the front and side yards of this home along with animated deer and a snowman. Topping it off, holiday scenes are projected on a garage door.

   » Taylor Avenue -- Caller said houses on the street are decorated from Taylor to State Street.

   » 468 Ohio St. -- From the red, white, and blue tree and the icicle lights on and around the deck and pool to the giant packages, this house is very well decorated.

   » 400 block of South Stateline Road -- House decorated with many inflatable, nylon balloons of Christmas characters along with lights.

   » Logan Avenue -- Several houses nicely decorated.

   » B Street -- Several houses decorated with lots of lights, lawn ornaments and balloons.

   » Madison Street -- Homes festively decorated for the holidays with lights and other trimmings.

   » 1166 Buhl Ct. -- Santas and choir boys decorate this residence.

   » 100 block of Cherry Street -- Variety of light displays with many colors.

   » Fourth Street -- A nice house between Milliken and Blue Devil Way with lots of white lights. Several other homes have nice displays including Santa and the reindeer, a green tree-shaped light sculpture and red candy canes.

   » Mayfield Road area -- About a dozen homes illuminate this festive neighborhood.

   » Woodland Road -- About a half-dozen homes feature nice displays.

   » Hazen and 9th St. -- Hundreds of white lights brighten up this corner lot.

   » 100 block of Hazen -- For those who want to celebrate a "Blue Christmas," this house is decorated appropriately enough in almost all blue lights.

   » Corner of Wakefield Avenue and Buhl Farm Drive, near Georgetown Apartments -- Six tree-shape light sculptures and other displays are featured.

   » 600 and 900 block of Pierce Avenue -- A lighted train, a big Santa, light trees and other displays light up a home here. The second home has lots of white lights.

   » 1300 block of Ridge Avenue -- Giant snowman and Mickey and Santa balloons, plenty of lights and a patriotic display with a red, white and blue USA flag hanging on a second story wall.

   » 1500 block of Ridge Avenue -- About a dozen multi-colored light trees all over the yard, lights that cover all the windows and porch, and other displays brighten up this home on the curve.

   » 572 Bedford Road -- House is decorated with lights and garland. A tree shines with lighted stars.

   » Bedford Road -- State Route 318 going toward Pulaski has a 1.5-mile stretch with many houses decorated.

   » 250 Maple Grove Road -- House is illuminated with so many lights that it's visible from blocks away.

   » Williams Road has several houses that are beautifully lit and decorated. The homes are visible from Bedford Road.

   » Hogue Drive -- Several homes on the street are festooned for the holiday season with lots of lights and lawn decorations.

   » Route 318 -- From the intersection with Wheatland Road going toward Hubbard are decorated homes with lights, Christmas decorations and inflatable, nylon balloons.

   » Seig Hill -- Several homes are festively decorated with lights and lawn ornaments.

   » 1543 Drivere Lane -- Red and white lights surround the house. Display also features angels and a decorated fence.

   » Kathy Lane -- Several homes are festively decorated with 3189 and 3129 leading the way with more extensive displays.

   » Baywoods Drive -- Many houses in the development are festooned with white lights. 3106 is one of the highlights.

   » Peacock Lane -- Several homes are nicely decorated.

   » 1815 Cricket Lane -- Has eight little trees decorated with multi-colored lights and icicle lights hanging from the gutters.

   » 2687 Anchorage Road -- About a dozen shrubs and bushes are adorned with multi-colored lights.

   » 2400 block of Anchorage Road -- Moving white lights and numerous other displays highlight this home.

   » 4734 Seneca Road -- One of the more outstanding displays in the township with a variety of lights, decorations and displays covering most of the house and yard.

   » 4326 Seneca Road -- A nice display that includes flashing lights on a nearby fence.

   » Tamarack Drive -- 2800 block area features fine displays.

   » Thomason Road area -- Several houses on the street are fashionably decorated.

   » Route 18 near Wynnwood Drive heading north -- The home and property are engulfed in light. Perhaps the best display in the township.

   » Blue Jay and Cardinal drive neighborhoods -- Many homes on these two roads will leave you singing like a bird.

   » 10 School St. -- House has thousands of red, green and white lights along with other lawn decorations and a Nativity.

   » 18 North St. -- House is festooned with many lights. Other houses on this street are also decorated.

   » 152 and 169 Grandview Ave. -- These homes feature very nice lighted yard decorations.

   » 26 Orchard Ave. -- This residence is chock-full of candy canes, decorations in the windows and lights around the house creating a very full display.

   » 44 Laird Ave. -- Green lights line this home, wreaths and bushes creating a pretty display.

   » 3 Cherry St. -- The back yard of this corner home features a lighted Nativity scene with pink, blue, green, red and white lights on small shrubs.

   » 20 Block of Chestnut Street -- Several homes have lighted trees, lights on the house and one even has lighted Santa, toy soldiers and Nativity statues.

   » 108 Chestnut St. -- Colored lights on this house, along with Santa and a snowman, create a nice display.

   » Fleetwood Court -- Several homes in the 100 block have pretty, colorful lighted displays.

   » 64 Vaughn Ave. -- Animated white deer, white lights on shrubs, wreaths and a tree in the yard, make for a splendid sight.

   » Several other houses on Vaughn Avenue -- Really nice light displays with twinkling stars and lighted bushes and wreaths.

   » Canfield (Ohio) Fairgrounds Holiday of Lights display -- More than 100,000 lights on 100 theme decorations, many of which move. The attraction is open 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 18-Jan 3. Information: (330) 392-6527.

   » Cleveland Metroparks Zoo turns on the ZooLights for a Christmas festival of animated displays and trees, music, ice sculpting and a model railroad display from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday through Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 through 30. Information: 1-216-661-6500 and online at: www.clemetzoo.com

   » The Festival of Lights at Yellow Duck Park and Witmer's Farm, Canfield, Ohio, are open for families to drive through and see more than 3 million lights among the displays of scenes of the season. Information: 1-330-533-3773 and www.yellowduckpark.com