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 and icicle lights.

   » 891 Crestwood Drive -- Caller said this display is a must-see.

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

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

   » 696 Syme St. -- Trees are lighted and a lighted Rudolph graces the yard.

   » 605 Syme St. -- Red and white lights, an animated snowman, Santa Claus and reindeer accompany a lighted Christmas tree with carolers.

   » 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 -- Display features homes with toy soldiers; plenty of white lights trim the house.

   » 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, a miniature helicopter, a cross, an elf carrying a package, sleigh, carolers, candy canes, candles and more. Holiday music fills the air.

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

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

   » Bedford Road -- Lights and jingle bells 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 lavishly adorned with white lights.

   » 615 Hamilton Ave. -- This exquisite display features lights in the front and on a fence around the yard; it even has pretty bows on the handicapped sign.

   » 147 Shenango Blvd. -- A ladder with some Christmas characters, a snowman and a Christmas tree make up this display and candy canes and small Christmas trees line the yard.

   » 30 Beechwood Ave. -- 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 display features lights on the rooftop, shrubs and the outside of the house and is highlighted by reindeer, Santa and candles.

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

   » 1115 Roemer Blvd. -- The whole house is filled with lights. 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, decorated bushes and lighted windows are among the decorations spotlighted at this home.

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

   » 117 Emerson Ave. -- Red lights adorn the front of this house; the yard features a large white basket and pole.

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

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

   » 1348 Broadway Ave. -- Caller said display features an inflatable reindeer with lots of lights and candy canes.

   » 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 -- Several houses from the borough line into West Salem Township are well-lighted 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 apartment building have decorated their balconies.

   » East Jamestown Road -- A home near Greenville Airport 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. Numerous other homes in the block between Second and Third avenues also are lighted.

   » 6 Bessemer St. -- A wraparound 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, between Hempfield Avenue and Main Street, are festooned for the holiday season. At Kenmore Avenue and Clarksville, the yard boasts a herd of reindeer and a lighted Nativity scene.

   » 417 W. Poplar St. -- Lighted reindeer grace the yard and multi-colored lights spiral trees.

   » Spring Street -- 612, 607 and 702, as well as a few other houses, are outlined and feature multi-colored lights blanketing shrubs, patriotic lights and lighted wreaths.

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

   » 707 and 712 Rebecca Ave. -- Displays feature holiday-colored twinkling lights, lighted trees on a screened-in porch, several nicely lighted trees in yards and a decorated lamp post.

   » 500 and 600 block of Superior Street -- Several homes feature a variety of icicle lights and trees of spiraled lights.

   » 620 Ridgeway -- Display includes white icicle lights, a lighted star, a Christmas mouse, and large outdoor lights.

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

   » 545 Craig St. -- Santa and a snowman delight passersby, candy canes light a pathway and a white lighted reindeer moves. 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 feature multi-colored icicle lights, trees formed of spiraled lights and a lighted snowflake.

   » Liberty Street -- Patriotic lights shine in the 500 block, as do garland-style lights and blankets of lights over shrubbery.

   » South Broad Street -- Grove City's downtown is nicely decorated with large, lighted Christmas trees.

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

   » 120 and 138 Harvard St. -- 138 is brightly lighted, reminiscent of the Griswold Family Christmas decorating from "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." The display at 120 includes the Grinch balloon, a lighted sled and trees of spiral lights.

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

   » 408 E. Washington -- Trees are amply decorated with bulbs and blue banquet-style lights, and a miniature house is outlined in holiday lights.

   » Enterprise Road -- Various homes are decorated nicely. Displays include wooden reindeer illuminated by spotlights, green trees, orange trees, multi-colored trees, herds of white lighted reindeer, gold wreaths in every window of one home, light-wrapped tree trunks, lighted carolers and multi-colored lights on shrubs.

   » 511 Oak Hill -- This home outlined in Christmas lights that change color and features spiral trees of red and green.

   » State Street and Gilmore Avenue -- A manger scene inside a creche is illuminated by a dangling yellow star. The display includes several trees of spiraled lights and yellow ribbons to await the return of U.S. troops.

   » 120 N. Center St. -- Display includes Santa and sleigh, reindeer, a balloon-style tree, bells of red lights and icicle lights.

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

   » 390 N. Darby Road -- The house and garage are outlined in lights, and many ornaments decorate the yard.

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

   » There are several displays of lights near 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.

   » 2920 N. Hermitage Road -- Home is bedecked with animated deer, blowup figures and lights from 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 lighted and candy canes line the driveway. The display also includes Santa and his reindeer, a Nativity scene and many lights.

   » 156 Sunset Blvd. -- Caller said the first house on the right off East State Street has a very pretty display. He said close to 15,000 lights line the roof, back lawn, the side and the yard. Classic Christmas songs, including "Joy to the World," fill the air at night. A second caller said this house is probably the most beautiful one decorated this year.

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

   » Highland Road at North Kerrwood Drive -- A blowup snowman greets visitors to the Hermitage Fire Station. Firefighters have also outlined an old Hickory Township fire truck in white lights.

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

   » Depot Street -- Many of the homes are attractively decorated, with icicle lights, 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.

   » 74 Sunset Road -- This display of about 7,000 lights includes curtain lights on the house, lights in all the windows and lights around the deck. In the yard are a Nativity, a wooden sleigh with a few reindeer, a snowman, Santa, a few polar bears, one tree made of lights and three other trees draped with lights.

   » 1906, 1907, 1915 Mercer-West Middlesex Road -- 1906 is outlined in blue lights and has a lighted Santa, sleigh and deer; 1907 has a large lighted display with trees, Santa, numerous reindeer and icicle lights over the driveway to the telephone pole; and 1915's large display of 30,000 to 40,000 lights includes white outlining the house, icicle lights hanging from the barns, the driveway lined with red light poles and white lanterns, and a yard filled with lighted trees, fences and reindeer made out of lights. The yard also has a large welcome arch over the driveway and a manger scene made of lights.

   » 1095 Perry Highway, U.S. Route 19 -- Colored and white lights adorn the roof, windows, pool and deck of this nicely decorated home. The display also features Mr. and Mrs. Claus, reindeer, Christmas trees, sleigh, snowmen and more.

   » Butler Avenue in the 300 through 500 blocks -- Displays include a lighted sleigh full of gifts, lighted wreaths and garlands, shrubs blanketed in white, trees decorated in multi-colored lights, icicle lights and holiday scenes projected on a garage door.

   » South Otter Street between the 200 and 400 block -- Trees are covered in white lights, while Rudolph and a sleigh, lighted deer and wreaths complete the display.

   » 163 Seidle Road -- This whole house, windows and door are outlined in lights so that it resembles a gingerbread house. The yard features four lighted trees.

   » 505 N. Maple is beautifully decorated for Christmas.

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

   » 800 block of Scrubgrass Road, just outside Mercer, is a Christmas lane with a moving Santa and sleigh, nutcracker toy soldiers, gingerbread-style Christmas trees, moving snowmen, lighted carolers, a carport lighted by candy canes, snowflakes, icicle lights, a blowup snowman, a lighted toy house, wooden reindeer and sleigh, a lighted wishing well and much more.

   » 220 Pitt St. features two blowup snowmen and icicle lights.

   » Vogan Drive and state Route 258 features multi-colored lights blanketing shrubs, icicle lights, white lighted reindeer, big bulb lights in the yard, a lighted snowman head and candy canes.

   » 300 block of Vogan Drive -- A huge blue-lighted tree dominates the display that features silver angels, garlands and wreaths of blue lights and white trees.

   » 8324 Lamor Road shows off two spiral trees made of white lights, lighted deer, white and red wreaths, a polar bear and icicle lights.

   » 8100 block of Lamor Road has a huge lighted star, a lighted American flag and deer and Santa on the roof. Green lights border the house.

   » North Street and state Route 58 features wooden carolers, a wooden sleigh on the roof and a blue snowflake.

   » 260 New Castle St. -- Lighted wreaths with red bows and multi-colored lights on the shrubbery make this a nice display.

   » 4215 Bethel-New Wilmington Road -- White lights trim the house and adorn the shrubs.

   » 4314 Bethel-New Wilmington Road -- Lighted Santa's workshop, Rudolph, elves and uniquely-lighted Christmas trees are featured.

   » A red cross and blue snowflake-star on silos can be seen from state routes 18 and 468.

   » 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.

   » 217 Buhl Blvd. -- Colonial brick home is adorned with more than 5,000 lights, including hospitality candles in 40 windows, white icicles, covered bushes and two tall tulip trees. A canopy over a family of reindeer is a highlight.

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

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

   » 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 done with white lights, garland and other decorations.

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

   » 300 block of Ormond Avenue -- 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 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 lighted figurines complete the scene.

   » 763 Stambaugh Ave. -- An 8-foot-tall Santa draws attention to this house that also has candy cane lights surrounding it, 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 are 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 lighted figures.

   » 700 Wengler Ave. -- Caller said pretty spotlights show off the porch with reindeer and such.

   » 1069 Pearl St. -- An array of colored lights, candy canes, aisle 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, 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 lighted in multiple colors.

   » 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 -- Many houses on the street are decorated, and beautiful luminary candles line the entire 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 is decorated with many inflatable, nylon balloons of Christmas characters along with lights.

   » Logan Avenue -- Several houses are nicely decorated.

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

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

   » 1 and 39 High St. -- 1 has blowup Santas and twinkling lights. 39 has candy canes lining driveway and lots of lights that you can see coming from South Pymatuning Township.

   » Fairbrook Way -- Houses that line this cul de sac are alive with plenty of lights and festive snowmen.

   » 100 block of Cherry Street features a variety of light displays of many colors.

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

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

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

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

   » 100 block of Hazen Road -- For anyone celebrating a "blue Christmas," this house is decorated appropriately.

   » 2161 Hazen Road -- This home is decorated like a Williamsburg mansion. It's nicely lighted and looks like there's a tree in every room.

   » Wakefield and Buhl Farm drives, 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, lighted trees and other displays adorn a home here. The second home has lots of white lights.

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

   » 1500 block of Ridge Avenue -- About a dozen multi-colored, lighted trees "grow" in the yard. Lights cover all the windows and porch, and other displays brighten this home on the curve.

   » 58 S. Seventh St. -- This nice display features stars on the roof, a decorated tree, deer, Santa Claus, the Grinch and other decorations.

   » 295 Mitchell Road -- This nicely decorated house has lots of lights, two lighted deer in the front yard and wreaths in all its windows.

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

   » Bedford Road -- Many houses are decorated along a 1è-mile stretch of state Route 318 going toward Pulaski.

   » 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 lighted and decorated. The homes are visible from Bedford Road.

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

   » Homes along state Route 318 from Wheatland Road going toward Hubbard are festive 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. The display also features angels and a decorated fence.

   » Kathy Lane -- Several homes are festively decorated with 3179 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. Icicle lights hang from the eaves.

   » 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 features a variety of lights and decorations with displays covering most of the house and yard.

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

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

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

   » State Route 18 near Wynnwood Drive heading north -- The home and property are engulfed in light.

   » 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.

   » 250 Maple Grove Road -- The lights at this house are unbelievable with lots of blowup figures, lights and other figures that make for a must-see display.

   » Several houses on Haywood Street, including 47 Haywood, have lighted displays.

   » 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.

   » 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 plus pink, blue, green, red and white lights on small shrubs.

   » 20 block of Chestnut Street -- Several homes have lighted trees and lights on the houses 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 feature twinkling stars and lighted bushes and wreaths.

   » Canfield (Ohio) Fairgrounds Holiday of Lights display -- More than 100,000 lights adorn 100 themed decorations, many of which move. The attraction is open from 6 to 10 p.m. through Jan 3. Information: 1-330-392-6527.

   » 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. through Tuesday and Friday through Dec. 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

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