BY KATIE TASSOS

After traveling over 45 miles this weekend, I have found five of the most festive, must-see, seasonal decor within a five-mile-range of Mariemont.

This house in Madeira is located across the street from St. Gertrude Church. This house shows its holiday spirit with twelve light-up yard statues randomly scattered throughout the lawn, and colorful string lights covering the shrubbery. Winnie the Pooh makes a guest appearance in this yard, though intentions on his appearance are unclear.

Favorite aspect: white light reindeer statue grazing in the yard

Tacky rating: 7/10

These festive folks are a tough competitor for their next door neighbors, shown in the last house. With large, colored lights lining the house, the main focus of the decorations is on the yard. Caroling penguins and presents under a lit up tree begin to give viewers a sensory overload. As if the statutes and yard decor were not enough to show their spirit, the nets of colorful lights are merely thrown on the bushes, leaving anyone driving by to believe the bushes are square.

Favorite aspect: Santa hanging above garage

Tacky rating: 7/10

A recommended “must see” by Mr. Block, this house in Montgomery shows the largest display in the area. The owners of a sign company opt to show their Christmas spirit with large holiday signs, 30-foot-tall nutcrackers as well as a large Christmas star. Though this house is quite spirited, the decorations don’t properly flow together and leaves an uneasy feeling in viewers.

Favorite aspect: nutcrackers

Spirit rating: 10/10

This house across from Greenlawn Cemetery in Milford shows their spirit by using a multitude of different colored lights. It looks like Santa ate Christmas and threw up lights all over this house. 

Favorite aspect: candy canes

Tacky Rating: 9/10

Is there a such thing as too much red and green? I didn’t think so before seeing this house. Though Christmas colors overwhelm the house, the wreaths on each of the windows bring a tasteful traditional feel to this home. 

Favorite aspect: bush decor

Tacky rating: 6/10