The Richards household on Oliver Drive brought home the grand prize in Monroeville’s Holiday Light Contest.

Bruce Richards, 68, started stringing the lights and decorations the week of Thanksgiving.

The yard features all sorts of lights, a lit Nativity scene, two arches, a Nutcraker blowup decoration and three decorated Christmas trees that used to be inside.

Richards said he has been decorating his house each year since 1990. He won Monroeville’s grand prize in 2017. He said doing it takes him back to his childhood, when he remembers driving around the neighborhoods to gaze upon all the lights before Christmas.

“A lot of people go to work in the (dark) and come home in the night. So it’s nice to see something out there that isn’t darkness,” he said.

He said more houses used to be decorated when he was younger. He hopes his decorations bring smiles to people, but he also hopes others will be inspired to decorate their own homes.

Americans spent an average of $60 this year on holiday decorations which is down a dollar from last year, but represents a $2 increase from 2018 spending, according to Statista Research Department.

Richards said he buys small amounts of new lights every year to keep the house looking fresh year to year.

He keeps them hung through January so that those who celebrate Eastern Orthodox Christmas, observed Jan. 7, can enjoy them. Then, in February, he keeps all the red lights to align with the Valentine’s Day holiday.

“It’s still pretty dark then,” he said. “And you can’t really take them down until it’s warm enough to pack stuff away. So it depends on the weather, too.”

Richards and his wife, Susan, received a gift card to Giant Eagle, the municipality’s grand prize.

“It really helps out. Food’s always important,” he said.

Other winners, organized by ward, are listed below:

• Ward 1: 102 Southridge Drive

• Ward 2: 111 Trotwood Drive

• Ward 3: 176 Edgemeade Drive

• Ward 4: 4732 Bert Drive

• Ward 6: 2276 Monroeville Blvd.

• Ward 7: 515 Larix Road

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)