Nurse Veronica's home won “Best Overall”. Her home was decorated in honor of her mother, who recently passed away. She said that her mom loved flowers so much that this year she set about using as many flowers as part of her decor as possible. She was completely overwhelmed and emotional as she accepted her prize.

Jurado Residence won an “Honorable Mention”.

People’s Choice: “Alfaro Residence”. Every year, they create elaborate decorations that awe the public.

Winners for “Most Creative” went to the Gomez family with their Mickey Mouse peeking overhead!

The Cocom family was perhaps the most surprised when they found out that they won the very special, “Jan Jensen Memorial Award”.

Editor’s Choice: “Kumul Residence”. The homeowner was completely speechless. The lovely decoration on their porch brings much light to passersby.

    The two day event began on Friday as the “three wise judges” along with some helpful elves and The San Pedro Sun staffers rode around town in golf carts generously donated by Moncho’s Golf Cart Rentals and Ultimate Rentals.

    The night’s judges was comprised of Tony Jimenez, Allan Lima and Michelle Gossett from Sitka, Alaska, were on hand to make the final decisions. The evening air was filled with fun as the lights twinkled in the night’s sky. Like tradition, spectators tagged along and got the opportunity to make the route with the official judges. Every nook, cranny, corner and street was passed by and judges would “ooh” and “ahh” at the delightful decorations. At the end of the night, judges sat together and compared notes. Soon enough, they had compiled a list of winners. These winners were surprised on Saturday night as the same crew was joined by more spectators who all wanted to share in the experience. From house to house, the bunch went, singing their carols, broadcasting the announcements live via Reef Radio and everyone had a wonderful time.

    This year aside from aside from the Best Theme, Best Overall, Most Creative and Best Business awards handed out, a prize in memorial of Jan Jensen who sadly passed away and was a past judge. And the winners are: Honorable Mention went to the Jurado Family, People’s Choice went to the Alfaro Residence, Jan Memorial prize went to the Brown’s Residence; whilst Editor’s Pick went to the Kumul family. Most creative prize went to Sergio Gomez residence, whilst best theme went to Flor Bradley. Best Business prize went to Serious Adventures this year. The overall grand prize went to Veronica’s House who encompassed all that was Caribbean Colors, a good theme, creativity, and uniqueness.

    This season, homeowners were as eager as business people to beautify their property for the holiday season. There were figurines, both store-bought and homemade, and nativity scenes, light displays and completely decorated homes, and in some cases neighbors have joined forces to make the entire street memorable. According to organizer and Editor of The San Pedro Sun Tamara Sniffin, this year’s joy sharing event saw, “was scheduled a week earlier as in the past years due to the way the holidays fell. I am grateful for the judges who took effort to consider the unique features that each home possessed. Approximately 40 businesses partook in the occasion and generously donated the prizes that included dinners, sailing trips, home appliances and golf cart rentals; it was mostly enjoyed by all.” The San Pedro Sun has in its plans to hold this prize-giving, joy-sharing event for many years to come. So, come 2009, decorate your homes and use creativity to win fabulous prizes, because come next year the prizes will be more fantastic. Congratulations to all the winners and good luck in 2009!