It is that time of year! The cold air is blowing, hot cocoa is all over the stores, sales are going on left and right, kids waiting to get out of school, all of which mean one thing… It’s winter time! As a part of winter time, there are many things that go on, like The Nutcracker in Seattle, Snow Flake Lane in Bellevue, Craft Fairs, and don’t forget the different light shows.

Rather than going out of your way to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle or the Botanical Garden in Bellevue, why not go to you neighborhood lights instead! Try going to the Fir Grove neighborhood in Everett! The only thing that you need to bring is a few cans of food because this light show donates all of the cans of food brought in to the Volunteer’s of America. Here, we have two different perspectives.

Ciara: The First Timer

This year was an interesting year for me. I have always gone to the Botanical Gardens during the winter season, but I have never been to Fir Grove. I thought that it was a nice change for once, and it was worth it.

I saw that there were many houses that had decided to not light up because of not having time, or some other reason. But all was well because there were houses that really out-did themselves. Like the one in the picture, they really had some spare time on their hands in order to put up that many lights in less than a day or two. Either that or someone found out how to make the light cannon like the one that Martha May Whovier had in The Grinch.

There were some houses that had music playing while there were lights flashing to the beats. It was quite entertaining to watch. But, overall, it was nice to just be able to sit in the car and drive around and watch the lights as they passed instead of walking around in the freezing cold for about an hour. I think that next year we will be good going there again. But don’t forget to bring your cans of food!

Yes, you heard me, cans of food. This neighborhood is well known for its yearly food drive. The neighborhood only asks that you bring at least 2 cans of food as an entry fee so that they could get the food down to the Volunteer’s of America. So, don’t forget about it! Now, let me introduce to you, the Every Year Girl!

Elizabeth: The Every Year Girl

I have to admit that in the past years Fir Grove has been better. But, nevertheless, it is still a great place for anyone on the run and pawing for a bit of Christmas spirit.

When you go to Fir Grove, there is a wisp of the holiday spirit in the air and an exchange of kindness. You will especially feel the holiday cheer when Santa gives you candy canes at the food donation tent and other friendly faces greet you. This is also where you give your food donations, which is what is given as Christmas dinner to the families in need. If you didn’t feel good, now you will.

Most of the people in Fir Grove decorated their houses like maniacs and puts a where-the-heck-they-get-all-of-their-spare-time-to-do-these-kinds-of-decorations look on your face. Then there were your more typical, casual homes, hanging a string of lights across the gutters and putting an inflatable minion on their lawn and calling it quits, which, hey, don’t get me wrong, I totally get. We could probably all relate to it.

However, there were also some scrooges on the streets who left their houses as blank as yesterday’s English assignment, which was quite disappointing, especially to visitors. Others at least made a slight effort to show their holiday spirit simply with a lighted wreath on their door, really outdoing themselves I must say. Well, at least they did something.

In a ranking of the best things about Fir Grove, one being the best and ten being the worst, I would definitely rate them as a one mostly for the fact that you can stay in your car to look at all the lights. Having the ability to be in your PJ’s, blasting Christmas music, and never having to leave the warmth of your car is pretty awesome if you ask me.

Then come the lights. Some in the neighborhood were completely dazzling and overpowering, while others could have made a greater effort. Overall, the light scene was pretty good.

Next is Santa. Ah yes, the red ball of joy that everyone has come to know and love. Maybe I am rating him so high on my list because of the mini candy canes he passed out at the food donations tent. You have to admit that those mini red and white peppermint candies are pretty irresistible.

Number six is the cost of getting into the neighborhood. You really can’t beat two cans of food, can you? Next would be the accessibility, which is very convenient, considering that how much closer you are than to most of the other light shows.

At the bottom of the list I would place the amount of time that it takes you to get through all of the decorated houses. However, this matter could go either way; if you were looking for something quick and easy, then Fir Grove is a great option. But, if you are hoping to spend an hour or two dazzling at lights and creating memories with the family, it ain’t gonna’ happen here. The most time that you will spend going through Fir Grove would be twenty to thirty minutes in a car, unless if you wanted to go for a walk in the freezing cold and look closer at the lights.

Overall, Fir Grove is a great Christmas activity to do with your friends or family and I would recommend it to anyone in need of a quick dose of the holiday cheer.