At Home in Westwood Since 1985!

One aspect that Westwood is uniquely known for is the Luminarias that light up the sky on Christmas Eve.  Placed all along West Bernardo Drive, and down all the streets that branch off, small white bags, with a cup of sand, and a white votive candle, illuminate the night in a uniquely peaceful way.  You can almost hear a choir singing "Silent Night."  All through the years my children, then grandchildren, husband and I,  would walk or ride in strollers, up and down the streets enjoying the Christmas decorations.  No matter how elaborate, they were always upstaged on Christmas Eve by the simple beauty of the Luminarias.  If people are away, the neighbors fill in the gaps, for continuity, placing some of their bags, along a neighbor's property.  It's Christmas, a time of giving, after all.   This whole effort comes from the dedication of our local scout troop and their leaders.  It’s an annual fund raiser for them, with heart!  Youngsters in uniform go door to door taking orders for kits containing bags and candles.  The sand is delivered to several spots on every street throughout  the community!  If you don’t think that’s a lot of work, think again.  Better yet, stop by the Westwood Club Christmas Eve morning, and see the mountain of sand, being parceled out for individual neighborhoods.  The scouts also install all the assembled Luminarias up and down West Bernardo Drive. What a breathtaking site! I remember years when it rained, and the brave little Luminarias get soggy, but many stay lit, and wind, occasionally a bag alights, but burns down in place.  The worst times is when there is wind - then we all keep watch that it doesn't turn into something more.  In the 40+ years this custom has been in place, I've never known of a fire caused by these angels in the darkened night, lighting the way for Santa's reindeers.  Or, even travelers, returning home.  that's another favorite part of the experience:  Family members, usually grown kids with their kids, come home.  They bring their children, and in our cul de sac, when we all come out at dusk to light the Luminarias, a glass of wine or cider is raised, and the stories of Christmases gone by, flow freely!