Decked out with light-up reindeer, angels and the traditional Nativity scene, the home at 3175 Warburton Ave. was one of many that entered the City of Santa Clara’s annual holiday home decorating contest. But to the homeowners, Rowida and George Barghouth, decorating for the holidays is a labor of love.
“We haven’t done this for a long time. Now we have a little one, my granddaughter, we are going back to the festivity,” said George. “So, what we like about decorating? It just brings happiness to the city and to everybody.”
“Even adults, even children. It brings happiness, spirit, celebration,” added Rowida.
Accompanied by their 22-month-old granddaughter, Marina, the couple offered up a history of their holiday display.
“Since my kids were little, we’ve been doing it. I mean, it’s not just last year. This is maybe 20 years or more,” said Rowida. “One time somebody stole Baby Jesus. So, when we went to Michigan, we drove especially to a Christmas place, Frankenmuth, just to find Baby Jesus.”
Inside, their home is just as festive, from a beautifully adorned Christmas tree to hand-carved wooden camels that they purchased when visiting Bethlehem. The family believes that the decorations are the perfect way to share the story of Christmas and Baby Jesus with their granddaughter.
Even more, it brings the family together.
“My kids used to love Christmas, and, actually, my son, he is too much into decorating for Christmas when he was little, four years old,” said Rowida. “So, he came on Thanksgiving, and he spent [the] weekend just for us to set up this decoration. I mean, it brings joy and memories, with memories also for the children.”
Just a few miles away at the home at 1737 Benton Street, the Flores family changed things up this holiday season.
“We saw the decorations at At Home, down the street, and my husband was all excited. He said, ‘You have to see the Santa,’” said Dawn Flores. “He’s usually not … I’m the one who’s like, crazy Christmas lady. And so, when he was excited, I’m like, ‘All right.’ And then I’m like, ‘Well, now he looks lonely.’”
And that’s how Santa found himself with a 20-foot-tall reindeer companion.
For the Flores family, decorating is about bringing joy to the entire neighborhood, and it’s not just limited to Christmas.
“We’ve been seeing people slow down. So, it’s exciting. We get excited. We have a lot of kids on the other block, and they’ll stop by. So, during Halloween and stuff, we had decorations,” said Flores. “We love to do it for the kids. You know, even like, plant sunflowers during the summer. Then people stop by, take photos with the flowers.”
The City of Santa Clara’s Cultural Commission will announce its Holiday Home Decorating contest winners on Dec. 23 on its Instagram page. The city’s website will also have a map so you can plan a festive holiday drive to see all the entrants if you’re so inclined.
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