Here are some of the best Christmas displays in town. Wochit
ALAMOGORDO — It’s the most wonderful time of year again in Alamogordo and residents are getting in the spirit by showing off their festive Christmas displays.
For Hector Saldana, living in the southwest leads to some unique decorating ideas. Instead of making a snowman out of snow, Saldana’s snowless snowman is constructed from tumbleweeds.
Saldana said he got the idea while living in northern New Mexico several years ago and wanted to bring the tradition down to southern New Mexico.
“We lived in northern New Mexico about 15 years ago, they build tumbleweed snowmen there every year,” Saldana said. “My wife said why don’t we build one down here and I said sure, why not.
“It took us about an hour to collect the tumbleweeds from around Alamogordo and three hours putting it together because I had to paint it,” Saldana said. “I’m from the southwest, so cactus plants and tumbleweeds are my buddies, all this cowboy stuff. I feel right at home with this. All the neighbors and passersby love it, they give us a thumbs up when they drive by.”
Saldana said every day is his favorite holiday.
“I love all holidays, not just Christmas,” he said. “I’m a great believer in the Lord and to me every day is his birthday. So all holidays are special to me.”
Saldana welcomes residents to get a glimpse of his tumbleweed snowman at 1210 Paiute Trail.
Christmas village
Sharon Jensen, who lives at 3211 Summer Ave., has been collecting original Department 56 Snow Village houses and accessories for over 30 years and has turned her garage into what she calls a Christmas village.
From every corner of Jensen’s garage, a Department 56 collector’s piece lies in sight. There is so much detail, residents have to take a second look.
Jensen said her collection started off with about 12 houses. Then, family and friends would gift her more pieces for Christmas. She now has over 300 Department 56 Snow Village houses and accessories.
“The kids started getting them for me for Christmas, some of them are 30 years old,” Jensen said.
Jensen’s grandson, Leo Torres, helped set up the Christmas village and said it was a family tradition.
“We haven’t set it up for the past four years because my grandma has been sick but we decided to do it this year for the kids,” Torres said.
Jensen said Christmas is her favorite holiday because she still feels like a kid at heart. She said she welcomes the community to come see the Christmas village from 6 to 9 p.m. until New Year's.
Christmas lights
Several residents have also set up impressive Christmas light displays. One neighborhood in particular is the 400 block of Cuba in front of Alamogordo High School.
Dozens of other neighborhoods also have their homes aglow illuminating the Christmas spirit this year.
400 Cuba Ave.
This iconic Christmas home is adorned with lights and figurines everywhere the eye can see. Hundreds of residents flock to this home and drive by slowly to take a good look. This home, owned by the Ortega family, is also known for Santa Claus handing out candy to children on Christmas Eve.
402 Cuba Ave.
Right next door to the Ortega home. this home is also known for its Christmas lights display, and makes the Cuba block shine bright as ever.
1303 Mountain View
Right around the corner from Cuba Avenue, is a magical winter wonderland. This home invites residents to walk through the yard and take photos of its elaborate, festive Christmas display.
1353 McKinley Ave.
If you drive down Scenic Drive, surely you won’t miss this eye catching “A Charlie Brown Christmas”-themed house. Adorned with giant inflatable Peanuts characters, this house is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
