Elkridge, We Have a Winner on Augustine Avenue

One Howard High school student took on an extracurricular project around the holidays that has earned him accolades.

Kyle Mackall, 16, has taken the lead on decorating his family's house on Augustine Avenue.

"He loves Christmas lights on homes and loves going with the family on Christmas night to see homes lit up for the holidays," wrote his mother, Michelle Mackall, in an email to Elkridge Patch. "Two years ago, he decided he wanted our home to be one of those homes.

"We had always had simple white lights and wreaths with red lights around the outside lamp post. He wanted to really kick it up and add lots of color," she continued.

For the second year, Kyle Mackall has strung his house with lights, and the work paid off.

On Dec. 29, Patch selected the Mackalls' home as the Best Decked House in Elkridge.

"We call it the Gingerbread House!" said Michelle Mackall, with her entry. The home radiates holiday spirit, with its colorful maze of lights on the roof and frosty white trim.

Currently, Patch judges are narrowing down the top 860 houses submitted across the country and will select 24 that will go on to compete nationally.

Contest aside, the holiday season alone offers reason to celebrate, said Michelle Mackall, whose family runs  in Elkridge.

"Kyle loves Christmas as it is a time of peace and giving. It is a time to slow down after the busyness of the year. For his father and me, it is a celebration of the birth of Christ—the ultimate gift," she said.

Decorating during the festive season has been a lifelong tradition for Michelle Mackall.

"I have collected Christmas ornaments and decorations since the 7th grade," she said.

Now, what's dear to her has also become something that unites her children.

"Our four kids love to see the house decorated inside and out and love working together," said Michelle Mackall.

The 24 Deck the House winners will be selected by the end of the week and will receive $500 off their electric bills. One finalist will win $100,000 for his or her town's schools.

The homes—which you can see listed here—will be evaluated based on creativity, festive nature of decorations and capturing the spirit of the winter holidays, according to contest rules.

Starting on Dec. 30, you can vote for your favorites, no matter where you live.