Growing up, my dad always went all out for Christmas, both inside and outside. When it came to the outside, we had a combination of vintage wooden pieces lighted by flood lights and the lighted classic blow mold plastic, and the roof was edged in those iconic large bulbs, which I later learned were called C9 lights.

This was the standard until I was in college when my dad was inspired by the Nightmare before Christmas overlay of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland, and we spent one summer making life size Nightmare before Christmas characters out of plywood. The blow mold was left unused in the attic. I told my dad not to sell any of it, because I dreamed of a blow mold wonderland one day when Patrick and I bought a house, and this Christmas season that came true! My dad brought several (not all!) of the vintage blow mold with him during his visit this year, and after repairing some pieces we plugged in our vintage plastic beauties to bask in their electric glow.

I hope to find more blow mold over the years, and also have my dad bring more pieces down during future visits so our outdoor decor can grow with each Christmas season.

Today, blow mold is coveted by vintage lovers, and fetches high prices at flea markets and antique malls, so I feel lucky to have received these from my dad. The ornaments in particular, made by Beco in the 1960s, are a favorite of mine.

How do you decorate the outside of your home for the holidays? If you’re currently in an apartment, do you dream of one day filling a yard with Christmas decor?