Civitarese-Cushman House
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The Civitarese-Cushman House is a home in East Dedham, Massachusetts known for its elaborate Christmas light displays.
The house, located at 121 Garfield Avenue, was first decorated by Nick and Roberta Civaterese in 1973.[1] The tradition was continued after their death by their daughter, Rita-Mae Cushman.[1] As of 2003, four generations of the family were involved in setting up the display.[2] The family begins in August, on Nick Civitarese's birthday, by pulling out the lights and checking the bulbs.[3] It takes three months to assemble the display.[3]
The family allows public access to the yard for viewing of the lights.[1] Cushman will often stand outside in the yard at night, greeting visitors and offering them hot chocolate and cookies.[1] Generations of families have come to see the displays, with parents who came as children often bringing their own children.[4][1][5] Families will often take photos in the yard that they then use as their Christmas cards.[5]
New lights were added to the display every year until 2020, when the house's electrical system maxed out.[1][3] The display now constitutes thousands of lights, inflatables, figurines, dolls, music, and other decorations.[1][3] The family has so many decorations that not all of them can be put out.[2] The electrical bill rises significantly, which upsets Cushman's husband, but she tells him that "I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't go places anymore. This is my big joy, my big pleasure."[5]
The lights are lit on the first Sunday of December and stay lit for a few days after Christmas.[1] On opening day, the Dedham Fire Department brings Santa Claus on a firetruck to greet children and allow them to sit in the large sleigh in the backyard.[1][2] Santa then returns on the other Sundays of December as well.[2]