Janine Marnien
This Grinch didn't steal Christmas.
In fact, the inflatable character is just one of many holiday
decorations adorning the lawn and home of the Bloods, helping create
a festivity that drew honors from the Crescenta Valley Town Council.
The Blood family was honored with the Town Council's holiday
beautification award Thursday, for having one of the most
extravagantly decorated homes in La Crescenta. Two other families,
the Kleins and Ingrams, also received the award.
For the Bloods, their decorations are a way of continuing a family
tradition husband David and wife Dena had as children.
"A big thing was to go around and see all the different ways
people had put up their Christmas lights," David Blood said. "We
thought since we enjoy looking at others' homes who are decorated so
well, we want to give back and do the same thing."
The home has a Santa and reindeer on the roof, an inflatable
snowman and another Santa joining the Grinch on the lawn, white
icicle lights all the way around the trim and still more decorations.
The family plans to add to its decorative collection next year.
"The kids have been asking about outdoor manger scenes, so that
will probably be the next thing we add," David Blood said.
Raymond and Nancy Ingram have been decorating their home with a
multitude of holiday characters, lights and giant cardboard candy
canes for about 20 years. The family maintains the tradition in part
because of the community reaction, Nancy Ingram said.
"The kids always respond the best," she said. "We had one little
girl who saw the house one time, and rated us. She gave us an 89 out
of 100."
The Kleins could not be reached for comment, but were chosen in
part because of a life-size Santa Claus placed in their front window
every year, Councilwoman Sharon Raghavachary said.
