Across the U.S., neighborhoods are lighting up for the holidays, with displays in Mesa, Santa Clarita, Edmond, and Las Vegas fostering community bonds.

Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow might be enough to brighten some homes this holiday season. But others are adorned with thousands of blinking lights synched to blasting music, drawing crowds and bolstering both holiday and community spirit. In a cul-de-sac in Mesa, Arizona, 14 homeowners have been going all-out on holiday lights for the last 30 years in a tradition that hasn’t been diminished by real estate turnover.

Those buying homes in the neighbourhood often find the attics full of décor left behind as a gift from the previous owners, and despite cultural and religious differences, residents come together to create a festival of lights, Stephanie Castillo Price said. “Everybody has been able to take their interpretation of the holidays and put it into a full circle,” she said. “There’s not somebody that’s going to walk down the street and not feel included.”

Santa Clarita’s Wakefield winter wonderland
In Santa Clarita, California, residents of Wakefield Court decided to coordinate their holiday light displays as a way to bring some joy to their community after an earthquake. Now in its 30th year, the Wakefield Winter Wonderland includes inflatable figures and wooden cutouts of a variety of characters, from Mickey Mouse to Homer Simpson.

Bryan Cobb admits he initially was against buying a home in the neighborhood when he and his wife first viewed it. “She started crying and said, ‘But this is the Christmas street! I want to live there!’” he said. “She got her way. We live here, we love it. All the neighbors bond together.”

In Edmond, Oklahoma, those looking to the western sky will easily spot the Miranda family’s elaborate holiday light display featuring images and music from the movie “Wicked.” Spotlights reminiscent of movie studio lights shoot up from the roof, while a singing witch’s face takes shape across a towering tree.

“It just seemed like the perfect fit with a light show because you can really do the drama with the lights,” said Elisabeth Miranda, who handles the programming while her husband, Mark, tackles installation. “It takes a very long time to set up. Every single bulb has a spot, a place, a number, so that when we program it, it does exactly what it needs to do at the right time.”

Las Vegas lights bring joy and charity together
The family started putting up holiday lights in 2015 and saw a surge in traffic after being featured on ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight.” While most neighbors have been supportive, a few complaints prompted the couple to take a few years off before returning with a better plan to limit viewing hours and control traffic.

This year, they are collecting donations for the Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police. “They give so much back to our community, so that’s our little way of saying thank you to them for everything they do for us,” Miranda said. Charity also is a component in Las Vegas, where Laura Walters and Lenny Standish are closing in on a four-year goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of socks and underwear for organizations that help homeless people.

Their display started during the COVID-19 pandemic with a single Christmas tree for community members to add ornaments. This year, they have three snow machines in addition to the lights and music.

“People are looking for joy,” Walters said. “Our world is a tough place. So to be able to just come and feel just an incredible amount of love and happiness — it’s peaceful. We’ve never had one problem here at all. Everyone’s been highly respectful of our home and full of gratitude.”

Richard Taylor of Kennesaw, Georgia, estimates that more than 40,000 people visit his display of 1.2 million lights each year. “We bring joy to a lot of people,” he said. “They walk around and they forget all their problems, and they just enjoy themselves.”

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Ever wondered why Santa wears a red and white suit? Discover the surprising history behind his iconic look and how it became a holiday tradition we all love.

Have you ever wondered why Santa Claus, the beloved gift-giving figure, is always dressed in red and white? Surprisingly, this wasn’t always his signature look. Over the years, Santa’s outfit has been shaped by various influences, with one of the most significant being St. Nicholas, the historical figure who often wore red robes and inspired the modern-day Santa. Let’s explore how the image of Santa Claus in a red suit has been shaped by various influences throughout history. (Also read: Merry Christmas Wishes 2024: Top 50 best wishes, images, messages, WhatsApp and Facebook status to share with loved ones )

Where does Santa’s look come from?
Santa Claus’ roots can be traced back to several predecessors, including the Dutch Sinterklaas, the hooded French figure Père Noël, and the German Christkindl, who was a gift-bringing Baby Jesus. According to historical accounts and literature, the modern American version of Santa began taking shape in the 1820s, influenced by poetry, editorial illustrations, and advertisements.

Santa Claus’ iconic image of a bearded man in fur, riding a sleigh pulled by reindeer became widely recognised after the 1823 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore, along with an earlier 1821 poem that introduced him as ‘Santeclaus.’ Early interpretations of Santa depicted him as a small, mischievous figure, with one 1864 illustration showing him in a yellow suit and fur cap and an 1837 oil painting depicting him in a fur-lined red cape, as per CNN.

Other depictions of Santa differed: a 1850 PT Barnum ad for singer Jenny Lind portrayed him as a beardless Revolutionary War figure, while a 1902 cover for L. Frank Baum’s The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus showed him in a dark frock with animal print fur trim and bold red boots. Thomas Nast was crucial in shaping Santa’s image.

Global influences on Santa’s iconic look
In 1863, during the Civil War, he depicted Santa in stars and stripes, handing out presents to Union soldiers. His most enduring image, from 1881, featured Santa in a red buckled suit, nearly identical to the modern version, although the original political message supporting military wages faded over time, according to the Smithsonian. Nast, a Harper’s Weekly cartoonist, also popularised the symbols of the donkey for Democrats and the elephant for Republicans.

Artists Norman Rockwell and J.C. Leyendecker continued Nast’s legacy, depicting Santa in his iconic suit for The Saturday Evening Post in the early 20th century. In his 1988 book The Battle for Christmas, historian Stephen Nissenbaum challenges the popular belief that Santa’s origins stem from the Netherlands’ Sinterklaas. Tracing Santa’s style influences is tricky, as they come from various global sources. His hat, for example, draws from the ancient Phrygian cap, the papal camauro, and others but has become a unique and irreplaceable part of his identity.

Coca-Cola’s influence on Santa’s style
In 1931, Coca-Cola hired artist Haddon Sundblom to create images of Santa Claus for their Christmas advertisements. Sundblom’s version of Santa, with rosy cheeks, a white beard, twinkling eyes, and laugh lines, became the epitome of warmth and friendliness.

Interestingly, the model for Sundblom’s Santa was a retired salesman and personal friend of the artist. His portrayal became hugely popular, solidifying the modern image of Santa we recognise today. Historian Gerry Bowler, author of Santa Claus: A Biography, clarifies, “Many believe that Coca-Cola was responsible for establishing Santa’s red-and-white costume, but that’s not true. His iconic look had already been established decades earlier.”

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Alia Bhatt poses with Ranbir Kapoor and little Raha in stunning red dress worth just ₹6000 for Christmas brunch

Alia Bhatt stuns in a vibrant red dress as she arrives with Ranbir Kapoor and their daughter Raha for a Christmas brunch at late Shashi Kapoor’s house.

Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor were recently spotted with their daughter Raha as they arrived for a family Christmas brunch at late Shashi Kapoor’s house. The couple looked bright and happy in stylish outfits while posing with little Raha. Alia nailed the festive spirit with her stunning all-red outfit, proving once again that she’s always on top of her fashion game. Let’s decode her chic look and take some style notes from the diva. (Also read: Alia Bhatt shows how to rock corset like a pro in stylish boss babe look for Jigra promotions. Watch )

Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor were recently spotted with their daughter Raha as they arrived for a family Christmas brunch at late Shashi Kapoor’s house. The couple looked bright and happy in stylish outfits while posing with little Raha. Alia nailed the festive spirit with her stunning all-red outfit, proving once again that she’s always on top of her fashion game. Let’s decode her chic look and take some style notes from the diva. (Also read: Alia Bhatt shows how to rock corset like a pro in stylish boss babe look for Jigra promotions. Watch )

Alia Bhatt stuns in red dress for ChristmasRed never looked better as Alia Bhatt absolutely rocked the colour with panache. The Jigra actor wore a stunning red maxi dress featuring a deep V neckline, beautifully adorned with a rose embellishment at the centre, adding an extra dose of oomph to her look. The dress featured thin straps, a fitted bodice and a slim fit that flattered her silhouette. A stylish tie at the back added a touch of flair.

What is the price of Alia’s dress?
If you loved Alia’s outfit and are wondering about the cost, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Her stunning red maxi dress is from the brand Summer Somewhere and comes with a price tag of ₹6,590.

Alia accessorised her look with a pair of golden hoop earrings, a diamond ring adorning her finger, and stylish stiletto heels. Her makeup was on point, featuring nude eyeshadow, mascara-coated lashes, a dewy base, glowing highlighter, and a shade of nude lipstick. With her luscious locks styled in a half-updo and adorned with a red bow, she looked absolutely stunning.

On the other hand, Ranbir Kapoor looked effortlessly stylish, rocking a basic white t-shirt layered with a blue open-buttoned shirt featuring white stripes. He paired it with white skinny-fit pants, cinched at the waist with a brown belt, and completed the look with beige loafers. Little Raha, in his arms, looked absolutely adorable in a white frock.

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