Post’s ‘Deck Your Halls’ Contest Winners Announced

By JACQUELINE PRIMO | Assistant Managing Editor

Nearly 50 homes, decked out in hanging icicle lights, twinkling wreaths, glistening Christmas trees and sparkly snowmen entered the Palisadian-Post’s annual “Deck Your Halls” holiday home decorating contest presented by Gibson International Realty.

On Saturday, Jan. 2, Post editor-in-chief Frances Sharpe and Gibson Vice President Pat Heller presented prizes to the winners in two categories: Best Decked Out and Originality/DIY. Winners were determined by the community via online voting at palipost.com throughout the month of December.

Scott and Susan Corwin (and their 22-year-old son Joshua) at 332 Las Casas (House #2) in the Lower Las Casas neighborhood won in the Best Decked Out category. The Corwins were thrilled to win and to receive all the prizes.

“This is so beautiful,” said Susan of the giant gold star covered in gift certificates that was presented to the family. “We can’t thank you enough.”

Just one glance at the home—decked out in white icicles and blue lights strung along the home’s border, up the trees and lining the windows—is all it takes to see why it was a winner.

“It took four guys seven days and 10 to 12 hours a day to do it,” Scott told the Post, adding that the family hired Joe’s Lights to amp up the home’s holiday spirit after seeing a friend’s home dressed to the nines.

“Their house is spectacular. For a couple of years we have been ‘threatening’ to do it,” Scott said jokingly. “This past year we got the card of the lighting guy and said, ‘Let’s do it.’ I had a lot to do with the design. It was a huge amount of work.”

Perhaps the highlight of the Las Casas home’s stunning outdoor décor is the sight of the towering Sycamore trees wound expertly with bright lights, for which Scott said the lighting company had to use a 60-foot crane to reach the tops of the trees.

“He even came by and added a laser that shoots blue dots all over the driveway,” Scott said.

The creation delighted their neighbors.

“This one neighbor boy would come over every evening and wait for us to turn on the lights,” Susan said.

What’s the plan for next year?

“We’re planning on adding even more cool stuff,” Scott said.

In the “Originality/DIY” category, Judith and George “Ray” Wiley’s home at 635 Ocampo (House #13) in the Huntington came in first place. The home’s decorations, including a Christmas tree, wreaths, a Nutcracker and Santa’s sleigh, are true originals. Ray, 91, made all of them by hand in his garage.

The longtime Palisadian said the Christmas tree has over 1,000 mini lights. Each wreath took several months to make and is adorned with nearly 700 lights, he added. A six-foot tall Nutcracker was this year’s newest addition.

“It’s kind of a hobby, that’s all,” Ray told the Post modestly. “I’m an old guy, but I have a good time doing these things.”

Ray said he and his wife, married for 48 years, have lived in the Palisades since 1967, first in the Huntington for seven years, then in the Riviera for 25 years and now on Ocampo. The Wileys have decorated for the holidays each year.

“A lot of people stop and look at the wreaths we have at the top. Everything is handmade,” Ray said.

The one exception to that rule is a cloth Santa figurine that has been in the family for years and now stands proudly on the Wileys’ front porch.

As the Wileys posed for their photo with Sharpe and Heller, the Andrews family who live across the street gave them a thumbs up and cheered for the winning home. The Andrews children—Will, Mae and Owen—had written a letter to Ray telling him how much they enjoy looking at his homemade decorations and encouraging neighbors to “Vote for Wiley.” (See the letter on page 2.)

As for next year, Ray said he already has a new project in mind, but he wouldn’t say what it was. “It’ll be a surprise,” Ray said with a twinkle in his eye.

The Wileys had more immediate plans though. They wanted to schedule a visit to the Corwin house that night to see the other Deck Your Halls winning home.

After meeting with both winning families, Heller said Gibson International is very proud to be the presenting sponsor for the Deck Your Halls contest.

“It’s so wonderful how it brings the whole community together, especially at the holidays,” Heller said. “And seeing how the neighbors react to the homes is really special.”

Deck Your Halls winners received gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses including Beachy Cream, ICE at Santa Monica, Discovery Cube Los Angeles, FLASH Designer Jewelry Gallery, Aquarium of the Pacific, Modo Mio Cucina Rustica, Philips French Cleaners, Palisades Power Pilates with Emma, The Grammy Museum, Sam’s by the Beach, Dental Spa, Sweet Rose Creamery, Patrick’s Roadhouse, Pearl Dragon, Palisades Music School, The LA Organizer, Café Vida and Mighty Pilates.

Additional reporting by Frances Sharpe