Will you decorate your home or business for the holiday season? Many people in Portage la Prairie sure hope so!

The City of Portage has launched their 2022 Holiday Lights Contest and many locals have already signed up on the website. You can go online and see the Holiday Tour Map which shows who is decorating, so you can go around to look at all of the lights.

Victoria Espey loves the idea and she says it's her favourite time of the year.

"We all know that the last three years haveI love been a little bit crazy and isolative for people, so to get people out of their homes and traveling out and about to look at all the Christmas lights to spark some joy, is a really great idea," says Victoria. "Naturally, we wanted to participate. My husband Ryan and I both care so much about this community that joining in on causes like this is really important to us both."

It is not difficult to add your address to the Map. You can click here to find out more.

"I already sent the link to my neighbourhood group chat, really encouraging the people on my street to participate," says Victoria. "So, I hope everybody joins in. There's lots of really great streets where homes and homes and homes participate, all together in a row."

Rose and Bud Carriere were among the first families to post their information on the map, and they were excited to have their home decorated for the season.

"It brings us a lot of joy and our neighbors have already told us that they love seeing it, so that's the main reason we love to do it," says Rose.

A home decorated with Christmas decorations

Both Rose and Bud look forward to getting together with their neighbours to spread the happiness and joy.

"We wish everybody a very happy holidays and Merry Christmas," says Rose. "We do this every year. Our nephew comes and helps us do the house decorating. Last year, there was quite a few people that had come around our place because we had put it on (the Holiday Tour Map)."

On the business side of things, Adrienne Mekkes of Styled With Meraki is always encouraging workplaces to put some decorations up. Through the Holiday Avenue Project, Adrienne was challenging businesses to get into the holiday spirit this season.

"I feel like it brings a really good energy. It's calming and exciting and it feels warm," says Adrienne. "As soon as you see decorations, or you see that spirit, it just instantly puts a smile on your face."

Adrienne Mekkes in front of her Giving Tree

If you're a business owner wondering what sort of return on investment you can get on putting up decorations, Adrienne says it'll be positive for everyone involved.

"I think it's really important to make customers and guests feel at home and cozy, and I think, with Christmas, it definitely warms up a space," says Adrienne. "Decorating gets people more excited for the holidays and more into that spirit."

Adrienne says they always buy their materials and decorations locally. Again this year, they will put up their Gifting Tree, where customers can get gift cards and discounts from other local businesses in town. Adrienne says they do this as a way to spread some joy and awareness at the same time. She hopes you will try and shop local this holiday season.