Christmas at every corner: Inside some of the Triangle's most elaborate indoor Christmas displays
If you drive in or out of downtown Raleigh, chances are you’ve seen the bright Christmas trees lining the windows of Robby Lawson and Matthew Powell’s condo on the top floor of The Dawson at the intersection of Dawson and Morgan Streets.
Lights Galore: A dazzling display of holiday cheer
What makes this home so unique? There are Christmas items EVERYWHERE. Lawson and Powell started their 3-week decorating adventure days before Halloween. By Thanksgiving, the couple had emptied out two storage units full of holiday cheer and transformed their condo into a North Pole-like fantasyland sure to bring a twinkle to anyone’s eye.
Lawson has been collecting Christmas decor for decades. He adds to the collection every year.
There are SO MANY LIGHTS! So many, in fact, the couple had special wifi electrical outlets installed a few years ago to make the process smoother.
Lawson and Powell say the reactions they get from friends and neighbors each year drive them to make the season more special year after year.
Elizabeth Flake's enchanting Christmas tale in Durham
Hop on Wade Avenue and zip over to Durham and you’ll see another memorable Christmas display crafted by local event planner Elizabeth Flake. She says her earliest memories of her love for Christmas started with a nutcracker wreath in middle school that eventually expanded into a large ornament collection. Like many dedicated Christmas creators, Flake begins decorating the day after Halloween and says it takes about a month for it all to come together. Her creativity shines in the different Christmas trees she has scattered throughout her home, which are all meant to tell a story.
Flake’s favorite part of the process? The first night of the season where she’s able to plug up and light her home.
Memorable holiday moments: Stories from Central North Carolina
These aren’t the only decked out halls in central North Carolina. Earlier this month, the Tar Heel Traveler introduced you to the couples behind the Spring Hope Christmas House and the Zebulon Christmas Tree House. And who could forget Durham’s most beautiful Christmas home featured on wral.com in 2020?
Nominate a festive display: Share your holiday magic
Know someone with an exceptional holiday display? Share their story with us! Email a brief description and photos, and we might feature their festive creation on WRAL.com, spreading joy and inspiration throughout the community.
