Willow Glen's got Nothing on Dallas!

Growing up in San Jose, I remember ooohing and aaahhing as we drove through the big beautiful homes in Willow Glen to look at their holiday lights. These homes all had a decorated Christmas tree in their front yard and row upon row would be lit up at Christmas time. My Dallas apartment is right on the edge of Highland Park - Dallas' big beautiful house neighborhood. Some things never change, they just get taken to a different level.

In Dallas the Christmas lights are an attraction. Dallas has specialized companies that will install the Christmas lights to your specifications and the displays put the Neiman Marcus windows to shame. These homes are in the five thousand square foot plus range, on quarter acre or larger lots and every shrub, tree and fence is covered in lights. Full sizes Santas and Angels and Christmas Trees adorn the windows. Full scale dioramas in the front yards. Every architectural detail highlighted in spotlights and Christmas lights. Even the 30 foot tall trees have string upon string of lights illuminating every leaf, every inch of bark, and swaying in the Dallas wind.

Miles of cars creep up and down the streets as kids in the back press their noses to the window, eyes wide enough to reflect the thousands of colorful lights. To enjoy the lights in style, there are a couple options. You can hire a horse drawn carriage to take you up and down these ornate and exclusive streets. Another option is to rent a limo. This option allows you to drink and party with 15 of your closest friends.

If only I had 15 friends, I'd throw them into the back of a limo and drink too much and enjoy the balmy weather of a Dallas Christmas.