Using yard inflatables, a Christiansburg family spreads holiday cheer

Christiansburg, Virginia – Setting up decorations for the holidays takes up a day or two for many families in our hometowns or surrounding areas.

For others, the competition is everything.

For the past three years, the Harrell family has been lavishing themselves on Christmas decorations. It takes almost three weekends and is a significant commitment, they noted.

However, the family of four is motivated by some healthy rivalry and spreading holiday cheer to the entire community, not just their own.

Finding the house with the most beautiful lights while driving through neighborhoods is a beloved Christmas custom. The Harrell family wants to use it to decorate their Christiansburg house for the holidays.

Brack, the family’s father and an expert on all decorations, stated, “We started decorating primarily to spread holiday cheer, mainly for the kids and people driving by at night.” “The multicolored lights have always appealed to me. Although my mother loved to decorate, it was done in a colonial manner.

“We changed that up!” said the family’s mother, Laken.

The Harrells have all they need in their yard to enjoy the holidays, including household favorites and festive figures.

“We just tried to have as much fun as we could. We don’t really have a theme; if we come across something good online, we’ll figure out how it’s done,” Brack said.

Although the Harrells enjoy a good time, they also have a competitive streak.

We have a lot of people who enjoy decorating, but there are also others who don’t, so our competition is fierce. And a lot of them [went] all out for us this year, so it’s a lot of fun,” said Aubie, the eldest daughter of Brack and Laken.

For the past two years, the Harrall family has won Christiansburg’s Christmas House Decorating competition, and they are happy to see their efforts pay off.

It’s pleasant. It’s encouraging to see that our efforts are appreciated, and it’s encouraging to know that, at the very least, most people felt that our home provided the greatest Christmas cheer in the neighborhood,” Brack said.

Most folks have finished their Christmas decorating shopping. However, the Harrell family is already getting ready for next year and is excited to spread Christmas cheer and engage in some friendly rivalry.