For Liz Gall, the magic of Christmas started long before she ever owned a home. As a little girl, she would look out the car window at the homes twinkling with lights and tell her dad, “Someday, my house is going to be the one people bring their kids to see.”

That childhood dream came true, and then some. Since 2016, Liz and her husband, Dan, have transformed their Ripon home into a winter wonderland that draws smiles from families all over town. Every year, the couple spends weeks building and staging decorations, starting as early as November. The dazzling display is entirely their own handiwork, a true labor of love.

Their good friend, Jim Cockerham, brings Santa's spirit to life each season, wearing a special red suit passed down from his grandfather. Children who stop by are greeted with gift bags and stuffed animals, while neighbors often leave small thank-you notes and tokens of appreciation on the porch. “It makes my heart happy,” Liz says. “People tell us they look forward to our house every year, and that means the world.”

What began as one couple’s dream has grown into a neighborhood tradition. Their friends Kathy and Steve VanDuyn host a special family hayride every December, making a stop at Dan and Liz’s home part of their annual route, and now more and more neighbors are joining in. The joy has rippled outward, touching the broader community through donations to the Salvation Army, Crossroads Church, and other local charities.

Liz, who works for the California Almond Board, and Dan, who serves on the Ripon QB Club board, are proud to pour their energy into something that brings people together. “Every light, every decoration, every smile, it’s all worth it,” Liz says. “Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, and I love seeing our neighborhood light up with it, too."