ChristmAstoria

Everybody has their own holiday traditions. Having grown up in a Jewish family, I was always left out of the whole Christmas thing. Saying that, my family had a December tradition of piling into the car and checking out the decorations which the “goyem” had deployed. My family wasn’t unique in this, of course. A girlfriend in high school’s family actually gave the practice of driving around the neighborhood seeking Christmas lights into something they called “Klooking.” The name came from the kids saying “Look Look Look” which soon became LOOKLOOKLOOOK as they drew close to a particularly outlandish display.

Just the other night, I convinced a friend to drive around Astoria for a while, and go “Klooking.” Here’s some of what we saw while driving around the neighborhood.

More after the jump…

Over in Old Astoria, on 12th Street near 26th Avenue, this grand old house was tastefully appointed. This one made the cut for conservative design and accents. A classic version of holiday lighting.

Also on 12th Street, a bit of nouveau modernism. The inflatable dog is what won me over, and the yard display continued as it bent around the corner. Well done!

At 23rd Avenue’s terminus at Astoria Park, one of the park trees was done up in December lighting, and was visible from as far away as 29th Street.

For pure commitment and effort, this home on Crescent Street between Ditmars and 23rd Avenue wins my vote for Best Astoria holiday lighting in 2014.

Runner up is this beauty on Steinway Street, found nearby 21st Avenue.

Over on 44th Street between 34th Avenue and Broadway, an honorable mention is offered for the folks who used what they had to work with. The fire escape nativity is wonderful, and it really lit up the street.

While at a friend’s Xmas party, I noticed the most famous resident of Forest Hills was in attendance, here in Astoria. Have a healthy and a happy one, Queensicans. Hope y’all get what you asked for.

Newtown Creek Alliance Historian Mitch Waxman lives in Astoria and blogs at Newtown Pentacle.