Dressed Up + Sparkling
/By Kay Twomey
Santa waves to drivers and passersby from his perch at 3636 T Street.
Burleith—dressed up, trimmed, and sparkling in 2018! More homes were decorated than ever before with festive and shimmering displays stretching entire blocks. It took me and fellow judges Edie Cecil and Samantha Herrell of GU’s Office of Neighborhood Life more time and a few passes to make our list and check it twice. The houses we saw helped sketch Burleith as enchanting and unique, restrained and elegant, and whimsical and riotous.
Here are our picks for this year, so swing by before the lights go out! Prizes will be awarded in the new year. Congratulations to all winners and best wishes to everyone for a wonderful year end and a peaceful and happy 2019.
1st Place TIE, Classic & Elegant: 1901 37th Street.
CLASSIC & ELEGANT
Tied for 1st Place—1901 37th Street: Restrained elegance and evergreen garland and white lights wrap the columns of this lovely corner house, which is a serene counter to the fun house across from it on T. 3620 Whitehaven: White lights encircle the front columns and hedges of this new home with a welcoming green wreath and a large red bow affixed to a lovely blue door.
2nd Place—1939 39th Street: Simple and understated, six classic green wreaths with decadent red bows perfectly hung on the windows and door create a beautiful symmetry.
1st Place TIE, Classic & Elegant: 3620 Whitehaven.
BOLD & SPECTACULAR
1st Place—1935 39th Street: As you turn the corner on T Street and head up 39th, a colorful burst beckons and makes you smile with joy. Bolder and more beautiful than in the past, the house partied with the beautiful moon above it on the nights we saw it. Wickedly festive for the holidays!
Tied for 2nd Place—3603 S Street: Trimmed in sparkling white lights, this house has a welcoming wreath with red bow. The lights accent the entire home, like a gingerbread castle, showing off the wonderful architecture of a classic Burleith home. 3636 T Street: White lights cover the columns with a colorful wreath and front door. On the lawn, Santa’s all lit up and waving to everyone who drives or walks down T and 37th, saying “Ho-ho-ho Burleith and Co.!”
Bold & Spectacular, 1st Place—1935 39th Street.
THE STAGE SETTERS! Still...
Breathtaking and Inspired Classic—1704 35th Street: A seasoned champion finds a way to make the old and classic seem new again! Still bespoke and resplendent, this house continues to be the standard for beautiful holiday decoration. Lovely twinkling white lights and large red candy canes trim the railing leading from the street up the steps meeting windows with red–bowed green wreaths. Green points of light dot the facade, while soft candles glow in the windows. It awes people passing by.
stage setter—1704 35th street.
Superbly Positioned—Duke Ellington School of the Arts: A beautiful sight on the school grounds, a majestic tree adorned in large blue and silvery balls and white lights stands proudly like a beacon. Garlands drape the railings and balustrades of the handsome, historic portico. It’s a bold, festive welcome to Burleith. Thank you DESA for shining from the hilltop with the large, bright tree!
JOYFUL SIGHTS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most complementary houses—1904 and 1906 37th: As you drive south on 37th, look to the right! Lovely white lights adorn 1904 while sparkling colorful lights embellish 1906, making a wonderful combined statement of holiday cheer.
Most “green” home—3505 T: Green wreaths are tied to the railings and front doors with welcoming white candles in every window—reminders of a Christmas that once was.
1947 39th: White-icicle moving lights make you peek over the front picket fence to see the calm beauty of an almost private display. Even a glimpse shares holiday cheer.
stage setter—duke ellington school of the arts.
3509 S: Simple red and clear lights on the potted shrubs and railing plus the decorated tree in the window are quiet and quite beautiful.
1717 37th: These simple and stunning decorations feature with lit gift boxes and a framed entry with a garland of lights meandering down the walkway.
1720 37th: This consistent and reliable charmer brightens 37th year after year.
1718 and 1722 35th: Simple and pretty, these houses enhance this main thoroughfare.
3635 S: A beautiful white house with two evergreen trees covered in white lights sparkles on the corner. And, if you get close, Santa and his reindeer are there to greet all the holiday revelers.
3553 S: Colored lights adorn the bushes and stairwell with a Santa ready to say “Merry Christmas.”
3511 S: Sparkling colorful icicles hang from the front entryway while twinkling lights cover the railing, making the home a wonderful new addition to the holiday contest.
3548 T: Festive and bright, lights of every color adorn this house with tidy red bows hanging from the fence. A real crowd pleaser!
3514 T: Colorful and joyous! White and colored lights cover the entrance to this house and are paired with sparkling red candy canes along the entrance walk. It’s sure to put you in the holiday spirit.