It never gets old. I don’t know about you, but a drive around my hometown at this time of year brings back memories of a crowded station wagon filled with my siblings and a neighbor kid or two thrown in for good measure.

My dad knew that the only way to temper the over-excited kids in the “House of Children” was to pile them into the car and take a drive around neighborhoods to see the holiday lights and decorations. As Christmas approached, it became an annual tradition to check out whose houses were Santa worthy.

These little trips through different parts of town gave us a look at how various families and individuals competed with one another to be best in the neighborhood. This was well before Oglebay’s Festival of Lights was even a glimmer in someone’s eye.

We always had one of those big station wagons; even one with the rear seat that faced backward and a rear window that rolled down. How none of us ever fell out of that vehicle is beyond me.

Sitting in the third rear-facing seat made you feel kind of special. However, I don’t think the driving public behind us appreciated the faces we would make or our constant waving from that seating arrangement. Kids will be kids.

Dad was especially fond of finding all the churches with outdoor Nativity scenes. He often talked about growing up in Center Wheeling and his beloved St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. When he spoke of his love of that church, its families — many of German descent — and his faith, it kept the true meaning of Christmas in perspective for his offspring.

Maybe that’s why we, too, would take our son on similar trips to “see the lights.” Now that he is grown, he does the same with his own children.

I have to admit I have found some of the local holiday displays to be outstanding. If you have an opportunity to travel Peters Run Road in Ohio County, you will be treated to some of the best outdoor displays. They are truly works of art at a few of the houses.

We have to give a shout out to the family on North Fork Road, too. They have faithfully decorated their property with so many fun and entertaining blow-up characters. Halloween was amazing and now their Christmas-themed yard is straight out to the North pole.

We have yet to venture to Wheeling Island to see the “Christmas House,” but we will be sure to pay it a visit before Dec. 25. It is located at 44 Kentucky St. on the north end of the Island. I’m sure it will be worth the trip even if we don’t have a station wagon.

Heather Ziegler can be reached at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.