The residents of Monticello Drive in Delmont have a tradition going back more than three decades of joining in December for a neighborhood get-together.

Neighbors would pick a local charity and bring donations.

With covid-19 cases surging across the county, state and country, that didn’t seem like a great option this year to resident Annamarie Grand.

But, as Grand began decorating for December, she and some neighbors stumbled upon a new idea that would alleviate health concerns about having a giant house party: a house-decorating contest that the public can judge, while still raising money for charity.

“It started as a bit of a joke when I decided to go a little crazy with the Christmas decorations this year,” Grand said. “I was giving my neighbor a hard time, telling him I’d give him a run for his money this year. Then our other neighbor overheard, joined in and said maybe she’d beat us both!”

And so the annual Christmas party will be transformed into a neighborhood-wide house-decorating contest, although it will still include some components of the traditional get-together.

“We’ll be gathering on a Friday in December to walk the neighborhood together and share beverages, cookies and hot cocoa safely outside,” said Monticello resident Kelly Mazon.

But come the weekend, the public will decide the winner.

“The idea is, we’ll publicize it, and then, on Dec. 12 and 13, people can drive through, bring their pocket change with them, and as they drive around, we’d all have donation collection containers out, and people could ‘vote’ by donating,” Grand said.

Donations will be split between the Delmont Public Library and nonprofit Project Bundle Up.

“The house with the most donations would be the winner,” Grand said.

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