Eleven months of the year, one would never guess that Fulton Avenue was anything other than a typical corner of Palo Alto. But every December, this street next to Embarcadero Road comes alive to spread holiday cheer.

In 1940, a group of neighbors had an “Aha” moment — they decided to coordinate a multi-block effort to decorate the houses for the holidays.

This idea evolved into what is now known as Christmas Tree Lane, a tradition that has since been carried on throughout years and across new families.

Junior Tyler Marik, whose family just recently moved to Fulton Avenue, is already pumped for the month-long community event. “It’s a really cool part of Palo Alto,” Marik said. “It’s all voluntary, but the neighborhood is actually really close so everybody enjoys doing it.”

The Marik residence will feature three wise men and a star for the top of the house, passed down by previous homeowners.

Christmas Tree Lane begins with a morning coffee, when all the families congregate to prepare for the decorating ahead. “One person each year hosts a coffee at their house,” Marik said. “Their house is just open. Everyone’s setting up, and if you get tired, you just go into their house and get to talk with the neighbors.”

The openness and inclusion of this tradition has been a lifetime fixture for junior and Fulton Avenue resident Cecilia Ward. “You feel like you belong in this neighborhood, and it’s a very welcoming community,” Ward said.  “It’s a lot of fun to be part of this tradition.”

This long-living event has unbelievable success in neighborhood participation. Twinkling lights, reindeer and Santas fill every corner, transporting all who walk in the wake into a winter wonderland. Beautiful and vibrant, composed of various elements compiled by a community of friends and neighbors — it is a feat of collaboration and creative ingenuity.

Every now and then, there are new additions — a nutcracker, Smurfs, a new santa or a snoopy doghouse. Each addition brings more life to the Lane. The bears in the window, the reindeer, the figure of the Virgin Mary, and the welcoming atmosphere make Christmas Tree Lane a lovely place to visit year after year.