Naperville YouTube Picks: Christmas Lights Synced to Carol of the Bells

Each week, Naperville Patch goes deep into the YouTube archives to find and feature videos about Naperville.

In the viral world, there is definitely lots of cool stuff going on in Naperville. (Just take a look at this Naperville North High School lip dub if you don't believe us.) Get news in your inbox. Sign up for the Patch newsletter. Like Naperville Patch on Facebook. Each week, Naperville Patch goes deep into the YouTube archives to scour, scavenge and search for videos highlighting all things Naperville. You may recognize this home from our pick a few weeks ago. But this Christmas light show was just too good not to show again. Enjoy!  Want to see this show in person? Visit naperlightshow.com. Do you know of a must-see YouTube video that highlights Naperville? Send the link to collin.czarnecki@patch.com and it could be featured next week.

•  1 Comment
• Videos (1)

Naperville YouTube Picks: Christmas Lights Synced to Techno Jingle Bells

Each week, Naperville Patch goes deep into the YouTube archives to find and feature videos about Naperville.

Naperville YouTube Picks: Christmas Lights Synced to Techno Jingle Bells

Each week, Naperville Patch goes deep into the YouTube archives to find and feature videos about Naperville.

In the viral world, there is definitely lots of cool stuff going on in Naperville. (Just take a look at this Naperville North High School lip dub if you don't believe us.) Each week, Naperville Patch goes deep into the YouTube archives to scour, scavenge and search for videos highlighting all things Naperville.  This week's pick features a decked out home with Christmas lights and decorations synced to Jingle Bells, with a techno twist.  Who else thinks they should enter our Deck the House contest?  Do you know of a must-see YouTube video that highlights Naperville? Send the link to collin.czarnecki@patch.com and it could be featured next week.

•  3 Comments
• Videos (1)

Christmas Traditions: A Few Things You Might Not Know

Looking for something to talk about over Christmas dinner? Here are a few things most people don't know about our yuletide traditions.

There are so many holiday traditions that we do without thinking much about how or why they started. Allow us to shed some light on a few: 1. Candy Canes. They're believed to have made their debut in the mid-1600s, when a German choirmaster made white sugar sticks shaped like shepherd’s staffs in the mid-1600s to keep fidgety kids occupied during live Nativity scenes, according to www.christianitytoday.com. The idea caught on, and became common at Nativity scenes all over Europe. The idea of using them as tree decorations began in about 1847, and red stripes and peppermint flavor were added around the turn of the century, the Web site says. Christian sources say the candy has many symbolic qualities – the white representing the virgin …

• Photos (1)

Trolley Rides Make Holiday Light Viewing Fun, Festive

Why drive around searching for the best holiday lights displays in Naperville when you can take the trolley tour?

Driving around to view the holiday displays and homes decorated for the holidays with bright Christmas lights and snowmen galore is a fun tradition. What makes the event even better is when you don't have to drive. Get news in your inbox. Sign up for the Patch newsletter. Like Naperville Patch on Facebook. The folks over at Naperville Trolley & Tours have the perfect answer: a holiday lights tour. The trolley picks up riders and drops them off at the same location at the "Trolley Stop" on Jackson Avenue at Eagle Street. If you'd like to explore the south Naperville, a separate tour begins and ends at Braconi's Restaurant, 4003 Plainfield/Naperville Rd. Private tours are offered starting at $200, but the public tours cost $10, which carry …

• Photos (11)

Mom's Eye View

Lights Schmights!

A house doesn't have to be lit up like a Christmas tree for the people inside it to have spirit.

"That's it!? Two wreaths?!" screeched an old friend we saw recently at a Christmas party. Nick was incredulous about our Christmas decorations, or lack thereof, when we described what we do—put two lovely wreaths on either side of our front door.                   His kids want their house in Carol Stream to be seen from space. Over the years, the Cooney house, decorated in front and in back, has been featured in local newspapers. People pause when they drive by. It takes hours to decorate with at least 30 strands of lights in the backyard alone. It would make the Griswolds envious.                 We have no such aspirations.               Which is why I love this photo that went viral last December and ended up on a friend's Facebook …

• Photos (1)