Santa Claus will have no trouble spotting North Kitsap this year as numerous homes are providing beacons bright enough to rival Rudolph’s red nose. The result has been nothing short of magnificent.
Residents went all out to decorate their homes this season, carefully putting up everything from lights and garland to inflatable Grinches and reindeer. On our travels through the North End and thanks to calls from our readers, the Herald has compiled a list (and checked it twice) of houses that we felt truly showed our community’s holiday cheer.
North End
• 28601 Hansville Road NE — Great display of lights, all colors and sizes.
• 37017 Tamarack — Lovely use of a small home and white lights.
• Several homes along Hood Canal Drive in Driftwood Key, brilliant lights, all colors and sizes.
• Great lighted portrait of the Three Wise Men on their way to Bethlehem at 37756 Buck in Driftwood Key.
• Several homes on Buck Lake Road in Hansville, numerous lighted deer and even a May Pole of lights. Quite the extravaganza.
• Several homes on Sherlind in Hansville, numerous inflated characters and a great use of lighting throughout the stretch.
•The Indianola Spit has several decorated homes that can be seen from the mainland with their bright and multiple colors and larger-than-life displays.
• On Beachwood Avenue and Harbor View Drive in Miller Bay Estates, several homes are all decked out for the season.
• There is a brightly lit peace-loving home on Montera Loop, amongst others, in Kingston Hill, off Barber Cut Off Road.
• A corner home at Frodeson Circle and Carlin intersection in Gamblewood includes this year’s highly popular train with circulating wheels.
Poulsbo
• Cedar Glen Mobile Home Park, off State Highway 305 about 1/4 mile past Lemolo/Totten Road intersection — A long-standing tradition among residents. Main road trees and bushes decorated, as well as houses along the route, office building and manager’s residence.
• Corner of 4th Avenue and Iverson in Poulsbo — Two homes in the same block have pulled out all the stops for Christmas decorations. One home features animated characters including a train with moving wheels on the porch.
• Corner of 3rd Avenue and Iverson in Poulsbo — This house usually delights passersby with a rotating lineup of holiday displays throughout the year and Christmas is no exception. Lights, candy canes, characters and more.
• South side of Hostmark Street near the intersection with Caldart Avenue in Poulsbo — A tradition for Poulsbo. Large light display features blue lights, stars and snowflakes.
• Karl Place Northeast cul-de-sac in Poulsbo, turn onto Karl Place NE off Mesford — A neighborhood tradition for many years featured in newspapers and on television. Several well-lit houses featuring Nativity scenes, trains, reindeer, gingerbread men and other animated characters of the season. Music. Food donations taken by Boy Scout Troop 1571 and rumor is it that Santa and his elves make special appearances on the weekends.
• 2052 and 2074 NE Ridgewood Drive in Poulsbo, turn into Ridgewood development from Mesford and wind your way in — Spectacular multi-colored light displays.
• 19775 and 19835 NE Stavanger Loop in Poulsbo, in the Poulsbo Gardens neighborhood — Homes feature red, white and blue motif, including an American flag. Also, lighted display of Santa and his reindeer up on the housetop.
• 1262 Cameo Court in Poulsbo, in the Forest Rock Hills neighborhood — Animated polar bears, inflatable penguins and reindeer will have you dreaming of a white Christmas, even if it’s clear skies.
• Forest Rock Hills Lane in Poulsbo — a handful of homes on this steep hill regularly make a showing during Christmas. Superb multi-colored light displays. One home features a whimsical animated Santa on a ladder on the roof.
• 634, 635 and 670 Gurley in Poulsbo, in the Terassey Court neighborhood off Finn Hill — A winter wonderland theme with white lights, white Christmas trees and snowflakes.
• Asgard Lane in Poulsbo, off Valhalla in the Vinland Elementary neighborhood — numerous well-lit homes including spectacular feats of placing multi-colored lights in large trees and inflatables.