When my family moved into our home about 8 years ago, I discovered after the fact that it was known as the “Halloween Block”.

Having grown up in a rural suburb of Washington, DC, I wasn’t sure what this meant. And when I found out what it meant, I lost all interest. I loathe Halloween. Our street is closed all day and night for a trick-or-treat block party, and I wanted no part of it. If it were up to me, the Halloween decorations would be complete with a nice variety of pumpkins and gourds. My husband begged to differ. He wants light-up inflatable ghosts, witches that scream, giant spiders that hang from our windows, spiderwebs that dress our doors and windows.

Because he LOVES Halloween and I LOVE Christmas, we have an agreement...when decorating, he gets October, and I get December.

For outside Christmas decorations, I start with the lights. I like the little white lights. Always have and always will. And you can never have too many little lights in my opinion. I also love and prefer incandescent lighting. They give off a warm cozy hue that feels soft and elegant.

Wreaths on the doors — simple and evergreen with a red bow. I also love magnolia, berries and other greens added. I like mine to be fragrant so when I come home, I have that fresh smell of pine. Half of Christmas is that scent, isn’t it?

My mother always had a special spotlight that she focused right on our front-door wreath. I thought and still think it is the chicest look. Restraint has more style. But I admit when I see other homes that are over the top, it brings a smile to my face. Over-the-top colored lights, an inflatable, illuminated snowman, a Santa Claus on the roof —it’s all great, as long as it’s not my own front yard!