Holiday Lights contest winner learned from Grandma
Since he learned to walk, Neil Berkowitz has been helping his grandmother Theresa Mabus put up holiday lights at her Prospect Heights home.
Mabus would put on a large display of lights, figurines and ornaments each year.
Berkowitz, now 33, says the Christmas bug he caught from his grandmother has stayed with him all these years. He tries to top himself each year, creating ever more elaborate displays at his home, at 8 Deer Creek Court in Lake in the Hills.
“The student has become the teacher, so to speak,” said Berkowitz, who was voted by Daily Herald readers the winner of this year's Holidays Lights contest.
Berkowitz said he's thrilled to win the Daily Herald contest and has been telling family and friends through social media.
In addition to bragging rights, Berkowitz will receive a Toro snowblower with an MSRP of $829.
“I'm very excited,” he said. “I have four siblings, and they were all very excited for me. My grandmother was overwhelmed with joy and pride because she sees that tradition being passed along.”
Berkowitz has been decking out his home for six years now.
He has gathered more decorations than his grandmother, though he doesn't know exactly how many lights he owns.
This year's display includes countless lights, plastic and inflatable snowmen, Santa, and toy soldiers, and a life-size Nativity scene that blanket his entire front yard.
“Everyone that comes by our home has their favorite part,” Berkowitz wrote in his contest entry.
“Whether it is the skiing polar bears on the roof, the animal friends Ferris wheel or the giant inflatables, there is a lot to see and smile about!”
Berkowitz credits family members and friends with helping him rummage garage sales during the summer and Goodwill stores looking for cheap decorations.
“I pick things up as the year goes on,” he said. “I have friends and family who are always on the lookout for new things for me.
“They know how much I enjoy it, so they get a kick out of watching the display grow.
“Every year, I get something new. My wife (Serene) really keeps me in check to make sure I'm not spending too much.”
Yet, the display doesn't include all the items Berkowitz has collected over the years.
“I use a lot of plastic figures, about two dozen snowmen, two dozen soldiers, and gingerbread men throughout the exterior,” Berkowitz said. “The variety of snowmen that I have date back all the way to the 1960s.”
With four young children, Berkowitz said the interior of his house is much more modestly decorated. The three older children — Brenna, 7, Gibby, 6, and Beau, 3 — do their part to help put up decorations.
“They get to help me get the stuff out of the crawl space,” Berkowitz said. “They love it. Throughout the year, they get excited when something new comes out of the trunk.”