2025 Grand Champion • Jack M: California

Jack M's Classic Christmas in Southern California

Jack M. from California went for a classic, timeless Christmas look, and in the process may have accidentally become the unofficial morale officer of his neighborhood. Warm white lights, accented with just enough red, trace the rooflines, edges, and ground, while two perfectly wrapped trees stretch skyward like glowing exclamation points. The entire house is lit, including the inner courtyard that peeks over the outer wall, rewarding anyone who takes a second look. The neighbors genuinely love it, and that is saying something in a very, very old neighborhood that suddenly feels a little younger, brighter, and far more festive once the lights come on. Walks last longer, cars slow down, and more than a few people mysteriously “forget” where they were going.

Of course, this display exists only because Jack’s wife began campaigning for lights on November 1st. Jack resisted, cited the electric bill, and ultimately caved, electricity costs be damned. History now shows this was the correct decision. The display not only won hearts, it earned Jack the title of 2025 American Christmas Light Association Grand Champion, an award he has been chasing most of his adult life with absolutely no success… until now. 

Watching him drop to his knees and cry tears of joy was truly something special, easily the highlight of his year and, without question, the best thing to happen to him in 2025. Even after the award was handed over, he was overheard whispering to someone close to him, “I love you, but if you try and take this award from me, I’ll sock you.” A true champion, a proud moment, and a Christmas victory that will be talked about long after the lights come down.