CHICO>> Dee Castagnoli, better known as Grammie Dee, was still planting gingerbread figures when the E-R elves rolled up.

She had just gotten back the paper gingerbread men and women that she had distributed earlier and neighborhood children had decorated. One had pearls around her neck. Another had a crooked smile.

In a day or two, neighbors would roll their golf carts and ATVs around the wide streets, showing off their bling and lights in Wild Rose Circle’s traditional parade.

“It’s a light parade. It’s so fun,” Grammie Dee chuckled. It wasn’t difficult to see that Christmas is a favorite time of the year at 222 Wild Rose Circle. Others on the block have obviously joined in.

“And don’t forget to look for Elfie,” she encouraged, nodding her head toward a pint-sized yard-art truck with a mini-elf sticking out the front window. “You get a candy cane.”

Grammie Dee’s big delight is for neighbors, kids and visitors to stop and actually look. She came up with “Find Elfie” as a means. Every night Elfie hides somewhere new, and those who spot him — only from the street, mind you — get to choose a candy cane from a streetside candy cane tree.

“People just drive by. They don’t really see everything.”

“Everything” ranges from dozens of gingerbread figures — actually dog toys — Santas, candy canes, lights, inflatables, snow balls, Christmas trees and more. Candy Cane Land is most of her front yard. Next to it is a Nativity scene backed by a garage-size “banner” of the Nativity. A star above the banner was made out of yardsticks, painted white. “That’s probably the oldest thing in the yard.”

Where did her love of Christmas come from?

“Mom always decorated everything for Christmas,” Grammie Dee recalls. “Every room was decorated. We had no money, but there were decorations everywhere.”

With grandchildren in the neighborhood, and about 40 youngsters living in the area, Grammie Dee and husband Gary enjoy those who meander by their street.

“It’s all her,” said Gary Castagnoli over the phone before the interview. “She does it all.” Grammie Dee does admit to some help from relatives.This couple reigns as Grammie and Grampie over the neighborhood, organizing treasure hunts, decorating “not for Halloween, for fall,” including growing pumpkins for the neighborhood children. A rusty wheelbarrow perched on one driveway, filled with sand, is the neighborhood sand lot.

“It makes me happy,” she said with a huge smile, looking at her creations.

2024 TOUR OF LIGHTS

Here’s a twist for your 2024 Tour of Lights. Because the list has gotten so large, we’ve broken it into geographic areas. You can start your tour in any area and move on. You don’t have to do the tour all in one night. Most of the decorators don’t dismantle until around New Year’s Day.

NORTH

Songbird Drive >> If there was a Christmas address in Chico, this is it. One of our favorite yards filled with international, hand-made birds and animals has returned. A good place for an evening stroll, but watch for cars. There are new decorations, and then our old favorites. Huge windows in these big houses are the perfect frame for over-the-top Christmas trees.

Greenberry neighborhood >> Wind your way around Greenberry, Goldenrod and Morning Glory for some bright lawns and extra-large inflatables. Then head down to Wild Rose Circle, where nearly all neighbors have joined the fun of lawn extravaganzas, especially one grandmother who is our featured story this year.

4505 Garden Brook Drive >> A teenager here used to help Grandma with her decorations, but has gotten into the spirit at his own home. There are cute inflatable scenes, chickens out front, and a cute woodland scene. Fire and marshmallows play a role.

Barbados Court >> Big yards provide the perfect canvas for large light displays, and this one fits the bill. The whole street is very festive. Check out the huge trees and big Grinch.

Nighthawk Way >> Two facing neighbors hatched an idea to string lights across the street. Of course there is a star; of course there are decorations galore, including 2 big nutcrackers. We loved the Christmas corgi, Christmas cow and chicken friend. You can even sing along with Christmas carols and synchronized lights.

WEST

530 Windham Way >> Can you count the Santas at this address? Don’t miss the German shepherd pair on Weymouth.

Amber Grove >> Take Yellowstone, Greenfield or Amber Grove. From traditional light strings to inflatables, this is a cheery area, but watch for basketball hoops and garbage cans in the street. Check out the big penguin at Yellowstone and Mt. Whitney. A jolly corner, that is.

3226 Carlsbad Court >> This is one of the biggest and realistic Santas we’ve seen. Reminds us of the Coca Cola Santa, and don’t forget to check out his reindeer, not as big but certainly lifelike. Great during the day.

130 Zinnia Way >> Could you tell this family loves big, fluffy dogs? There are dozens of canine decorations, and live ones too, if the family happens to be out in the front yard. The family’s last count was roughly 50 dogs out front, not counting the real ones.

Silverado Estates Way >> Once the most decorated street in all of Chico, it looks like this neighborhood is on the way back to being merry and bright. Several homes at the end of the cul-de-sac are looking cheery.

379 Mathews Drive >> A perennial on the list, this inflatable filled home to Snoopys and polar bears now boasts Christmas movies. Just bring a chair. And if you’re a Seattle Seahawks football fan, you’ll feel right at home. Last year’s featured house with a handmade Santa village plus decorated lawn is back too.

Moyer Way >> Once again on the list, this is a merry cruise. One house is an abundant glow of lights, Santas, arch lights. Another one combines white lights and inflatables.

Adlar Court >> A nice cul-de-sac features a number of Christmas characters that your children will know. You might even know one or two as well. Farther down, there’s a lawn with a starry-bright herd of wooden deer grazing on a lawn.

1206 West Wind Drive >> The tractor has arrived from the farm, and Stewart the Elf is at his post. Upstairs, hand-sewn Santa and Mrs. Claus love to see the scene below. One of the long-timers on the list, this house beckons for a closer look and you might even see the family’s sweet dog checking out onlookers from the front door.

767 Westmont Drive >> What a huge star at this house, not to mention sweet Christmas stockings bearing kiddos’ names. Check out the candy canes in everyone’s yards.

NORTHEAST

1518 E. Lassen Ave. >> Small yard packed with lights, decorations etc. Certainly a place to stop and stare and even compliment the artist, who is welcoming the community from 7 to 10 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with hot beverages and sweets. How about 25- and 20-foot light trees, not to mention singing trees too?

Ceanothus Avenue, Lucy Way >> On Ceanothus, several houses are bright beacons. Turn to down Lucy for the extravaganza neighborhood. Featured on the E-R front previously, the house at 2794 Lucy has a full-sized sleigh and a Santa just made for family pictures.

Whitewood neighborhood >> This Whitewood resident loves putting up lights, not to mention lots of inflatables. The snow white Nativity with a twinkling star above is striking. Wind in and out of the neighborhood roads to see other fun sights, and don’t miss the Nativity at Whitewood and Floral. Pssst: It’s on the patio roof.

1675 Manzanita Ave. Space 10 >> For those who remember one die-hard blow-mold decorator who was on Nord Avenue, this is a relative’s address at Pleasant Valley Mobile Estates. Count roughly 70 blow-molds — some classics, some new — around the home that came from the two families.

Casa del Rey and Ceres >> Don’t turn down the cul-de-sac, but stay on Ceres to gaze at this corner house with lots of lawn. Inflatables from Santas to deer are positioned throughout the greenery. A good place to stretch your legs.

2410 Floral Ave. >> This decorator was among the originals on our list. Bright, glowy blow molds rule this yard in little vignettes of angels or singers or Santas. Too much to see for just a drive-by. Stop and gaze.

1620 Sheridan Ave. >> This one surely can be seen from space, and deserves a “get out and look.” Colored strings on the fence fade and glow in different shades. Old-fashioned street lights flank the carport which is also decorated. There are light strings on every branch of the front tree, which was quite the climbing feat. The family started in early November, and are still adding. Catch the juggling snowman and slip-sliding penguins in the back. Sometimes the resident dresses as the Grinch and says hello.

SOUTH

120 Delaney Drive >> Lots and lots of white lights cover a Nativity scene, grazing deer and more. Because there is so many white lights, it may be hard to see each feature, so plan to stop and stare. Good during the day too. Check out the very, very bright and red mouse head at the end of Delaney. Could it be Mickey?

Dogleg >> Huge stars ascend on the roof at the house at the end of the road. Check out lots and lots of Star Wars inflatables, and lots of lights — flashing, moving, twirling and changing colors. Lights in trees, lights that are trees. It’s quite merry and bright. Remember it’s a cul-de-sac so be aware of parked cars and kiddos playing.

3 Baroni Way >> From extra-large Santa and snowman, and “tons of lights” as the nominator said, this yard says “merry.” However, city street work may close off lanes so you may haves to zig and zag to get there.

New Dawn Circle >> This loop offers several nicely decorated homes, including one bulging with inflatables. Santas rule one house. After being inside a car, it’s nice to stretch the legs with a sidewalk stroll. Love “Minions?” This is your street.

Skymountain Circle, Wildflower Court >> Catch Mr. and Mrs. Claus dancing on Wildflower Court. They previously resided at the Miller Mansion, so glad they found a new home. There are stunning angels atop a wall with a huge star overhead, and make sure to catch the huge reindeer on Windmill Court. There’s even a Christmas-robed Santa-skeleton.

Forest Creek Circle >> A nice loop provides wide avenues for a scattering of decorated lawns. Check out the classic blow-molds of Santa and reindeer over a house, plus a simple Nativity.

841 Inyo >> This decorator has filled the yard with characters that are fun to see, including a lion king, unicorn, dogs, nutcracker, Christmas stockings and — of course, reindeer and a sleigh.

Pine and East Eighth streets >> You’ve seen the humongous skeleton at for several years, and the lawn is still a “skelly fest,” all in the Christmas spirit. Big ones, little ones, and there are traditional lawn decorations too.