Christmas Lights In Orange County: Best Displays For Viewing

MISSION VIEJO, CA —South Orange County resident Mandee Schoolcraft has a lot to be grateful for this time of year. She shows it by sharing her Christmas holiday displays for all to come and enjoy.

In years past, the Schoolcraft family has lived in and created holiday wonderlands in Aliso Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita. This year, they have once again gone over the top with both yard and home in Mission Viejo. The Schoolcraft holiday display is worth the drive, to the delight of their friends and neighbors in south Orange County.

Though she grew up in Simi Valley, both her family and husband, Jody Schoolcraft's families, loved to go to The Becker House to see their Christmas display.

"It was incredible. We both saw the joy it brought to the community, and our families, every year, and it made an impression on each of us," she told Patch.

Mandee Schoolcraft comes from a long line of Christmas decorators.

As a child, she helped make decorations the family displayed in Simi Valley.

After they got married, the pair wanted to share their love of decorating traditions with neighbors as a way of saying 'Thank you.'

"We want to share the magic and whimsy of Christmas to them in at least a small way," she said.

The home they decorate now is a love letter to traditions of their past, and memories they hope to make for their two sons.

"We lived in an apartment for the first 7 years of our marriage and we'd decorate our tiny little balcony every year, making our neighbors laugh and smile throughout the season," she reminisced. "It was easy back then with only a 12 x 10-foot space to decorate!"

When they relocated to Orange County in 2004, their display took on a new level.

"We finally had a small front yard and house as our canvas!" she said.

The Schoolcrafts carried that holiday joy to each house they have lived in since then, and every year, the display evolves.

In 2007, the Schoolcrafts decided to do a red/white color scheme.

"I love the contrast of the two colors so much!" she said. They added red and white icicle lights, and cutouts, sticking with the candy cane stripe ever since.

When Mandee Schoolcraft learned of a legend about the candy cane, she knew it was what she wanted to share with all.

The display includes over 40 handmade pieces, designed and made by us, including the new "Snowmint" family and ten wooden candy canes that are new this year.

"We also have peppermint-scented bubbles! And, on weekends, we give out free candy canes," she said.

We have a unique display that is fun, festive, and whimsical. It's a family tradition, as their two sons (12 & 13) help with setting it up, and are just starting to get into the designing.

"We love that our home is a place that families come back to year after year, including it in their family traditions," Mandee Schoolcraft says. "We want everyone to experience a little Christmas magic and wonder and hope we're able to give that to them when they visit."

Find them at 23611 Via Estella, Mission Viejo, Calif.

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