If you live in the La Grange/La Grange Park neighborhood, you are probably on Ogden Avenue many times a week, even many times a day. Even through all the hustle and bustle of the season, it is difficult to miss seeing what has officially been named one of the best Christmas decorations in the Chicago area — the home of Tom and Judy Tangney, on the southwest corner of Ogden and Kensington in La Grange.

Seeking special homes to showcase in her book called “The Best Christmas Decorations in Chicagoland,” Mary Edsey approached the Tangneys last year for publication. Judy indicated that sometimes they change decorations from year to year and Edsey was most interested in the fact that the “tree” would be part of the annual décor.

The Tangneys light the corner with their house-size Christmas tree of lights that adorns the entire front of their home — from the porch to the attic. The house, which is more than 100 years old, is ideal for a tree-shaped light display, according to Tom.

“We have been in the house for 23 years and I have been putting up this display for at least 20 of those years,” Tom said. “I figured it was a perfect fit — the house being a triangular shape.”

Many years of practice in putting up the display now makes the task a relatively easy one and one that takes only 10 minutes.

“Rope lighting has saved me,” Tom said. “The display is like a big umbrella with ropes attached to it. Judy goes into the attic to attach the top portion and we just drop it down.”

Sounds easy, but in the earlier years, it would take hours to put up the display. Each bulb had to be tested and if one was out, Tom could not leave it burned out — he had to climb up and change the bulb if needed.

“When the girls (Jenny, now 25, and Toni, now 22) were small, they learned a bunch of new words,” Tom said.

The girls have enjoyed their home with the unique decoration all of their lives.

The inside of the house is decorated as well. And the front porch beckons visitors with a life-like fireplace welcoming you as you walk up to the front door. The fireplace is complete with stockings hung with care and a ceramic dog resting contentedly on the floor. Also on display this year are 50 plus ceramic buildings sitting in a village designed by Tom.

“We don’t have lights in them all this year, but plan to — we need some outlets out here,” Judy said.

So, when you are strolling through the neighborhood on a clear winter night, look up at the grand display at the Tangney home at 138 N. Kensington Ave.

For more Chicago area decorations, “The Best Christmas Decorations in Chicagoland” by Mary Edsey is available at local bookstores and also at the La Grange Park Library. The book is divided into chapters for each area.

Questions, comments, ideas? Please e-mail me at lifelgp@comcast.net.