On December evenings, when the weather forecast is merry and bright, one tiny town in North Carolina transforms into Christmas Town, USA.Perhaps you’ve never heard of the textile town-turned-holiday tradition, or perhaps you have experienced the spectacular Christmas display each year since childhood. Regardless, this town just west of Charlotte thrives on putting the “merry” in Christmas, with a community-wide decorating effort that began in 1956 with nine adorned trees and has metamorphosed into a nationally recognized holiday attraction. Each year, from Dec. 1-26, visitors from far and wide come to discover their holiday spirit in McAdenville’s quaint community. Homes are decked out in Christmas finery, nativity scenes abound, and trees are lit with red, white and green lights. Passersby revel in the free holiday display while winding along the neighborhood tour, which ends in a crescendo at the lake, ringed with 33 decorated trees and an illuminated fountain. SEE ALSO: Eight Best Cities for Holiday Lights and Decorations

The tradition traces its roots to the McAdenville Men’s Club, which in 1956 requested permission from town officials, including W.J. Pharr, president of Pharr Yarns, to decorate trees around the McAdenville Community Center. Pharr’s wife suggested they use traditional red, white and green lights only, and so the custom began. Forty-nine years later, McAdenville displays more than 200 wreaths and decorates over 375 live trees, as thousands upon thousands of lights illuminate the town. For many, the holiday splendor is reason enough to move here. Linda Blackledge and her husband, Rick, both grew up in Gaston County, and as children celebrated the holidays with trips to McAdenville. They continued the tradition with their two sons, enjoying the lights every Christmas Eve and then opening presents when they arrived home that night. On Jan. 19, 2007, the Blackledges decided to make the custom even more personal, moving into the newer portion of town, known as McAdenville Village.

“Our sons had married and moved away, and we needed to downsize,” Blackledge explains. “We have always loved McAdenville, so when they decided to rebuild, we were the first ones on our side of Wesleyan Drive. They called us pioneers!” The Blackledges chose their lot on Wesleyan Drive in order to be on the main route. Linda notes that at closing, the couple signed a covenant stating they would decorate with red, white and green lights only, and keep their lights on during the month of December. Replace Bathroom Exhaust MotorAnd even though there are a few inconveniences as a result of living in the heart of a holiday attraction – mainly, road congestion for the month of December – Blackledge says the pros outweigh the cons.Washer And Dryer On Opposite Walls “Being on the route for lights is so much fun for us!” she says. Cost Of Moving A Snooker Table

“Everyone is in such a festive Christmas spirit. They decorate their cars, pile up on hayrides, sing carols along the way, dress up like Santa Claus, and walk or ride by. It is heartwarming to be outside and hear the shouts of ‘Merry Christmas,’ along with singing and the laughter of children.” She adds, “We have a nativity scene in our yard to represent the true meaning of Christmas, and time and again we are thanked by strangers for that display. We sometimes watch from inside as people stand in front and take photos of themselves and children with the scene.” The tradition of McAdenville is entrenched in the hearts of visitors around the world, and has been publicized in countries as far away as Germany and France. Today, the Blackledges enjoy the holidays with a little help from Christmas Town, USA. “We still gather our entire family, including seven grandchildren, on Christmas Eve and enjoy the festivities happening outside our home while we celebrate Christmas,” Blackledge says.

“We are making awesome memories for our grandchildren!” Photographer Steve Rankin, a longtime resident of McAdenville, runs the town’s official website. He says the best days to visit McAdenville are Monday through Thursday. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the heaviest traveled days; if you arrive in town at 7 p.m. or later on those nights, you might miss the lights. Can’t come unless it’s a weekend? Rankin suggests arriving in town before the lights come on – that is, before 5:30 p.m. – and parking. “Traffic is usually backed up for miles on I-85 southbound lanes and US-29/74 westbound lanes,” he says. “If you visit on the weekend, please have lots of patience.” He says walking through town is the best way to enjoy the lights. “As you walk, you can enjoy the beautiful music being played from the McAdenville Baptist Church,” he says. “You also can walk the back streets where tour buses and automobiles are not allowed.” He encourages visitors to explore the newer portion of town, between the McAdenville Elementary School and the lake.

“Residents in the ‘newer’ part of town really go all out decorating their homes,” he says. Three large parking lots are available for those who don’t mind waiting and/or walking: Real fresh-cut trees have the distinctive, pleasant evergreen smell and feel. Picking out each year's tree is a treasured holiday custom for many families. Live trees require some preparation and care, but traditionalists feel this is a valuable part of the holidays. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, hence the arrival of the artificial Christmas tree. Easy to set up and store, artificial trees don't shed needles and are hypoallergenic. If you like the look of a live tree, there is an incredibly realistic tree just for you. Artificial trees also offer some unique styles and colors that don’t occur in nature -- perfect for holiday whimsy. Good to KnowBefore you go shopping for any Christmas tree, measure the area where the tree will be displayed. Pay special attention to the ceiling height and the available space needed to accommodate the width of the tree.

Remember to add the size of the tree stand into your height calculation. There are several things to keep in mind when shopping for an artificial Christmas tree. Full-size artificial trees range in height from 6 1/2 feet to 12 feet to accommodate practically any ceiling height. Also keep tree width in mind. There are slim trees and full girth trees to choose from. Whether the tree is the main feature in the home or a less formal room or corner, make sure to measure your space before buying. Artificial tree needles are created using extruded Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or molded Poly-Ethylene (PE) or a combination of both. Either material expertly replicates the look of pine, fir or other evergreens. Colors vary from a mix of greens, to blue/green to blue. Some trees also have cones. Most artificial trees are pre-lit - lights already installed. Lights may be Incandescent or LED bulbs in multi-color or clear, color changing or random shimmering lights. Some other features to reduce holiday stress are on/off foot pedals and constant-on or stay-lit lights - meaning if a bulb comes loose the rest of the set stays lit.

Flocked trees are treated to make the tree look snow-covered. Self-shaping trees have wire in the branches to make the tree expand to its original shape when removed from the box.  The tip count number provides an idea of how full the tree looks. Don’t rely on this number only as tip sizes may vary. Also some varieties of trees (pine, for example) naturally have a less dense look than others, such as firs. Let the tree's overall appearance be your guide. Take a fresh look at artificial Christmas trees with our Interactive Guide. Fresh-Cut Christmas Tree Varieties The most popular fresh-cut Christmas trees come from the pine or fir species. Choosing the right type depends on personal taste and regional availability. Pine Trees — Pine trees have long, slender needles 1 inch to 6 inches long attached in clusters to branches. These trees vary in shades of yellow-green and blue-green. Most types have strong branches and retain their needles well. Scotch pine is one of the best Christmas pines.

Fir Trees — Fir trees have flat and waxy needles up to 1 1/2 inches long attached directly to branches in long, dense rows. Color varies from yellow-green to dark green, and some species have touches of reddish-brown on the buds. Firs have a very noticeable fragrance. Firs also have more flexible branches than pines or spruces and will shed some needles. The best varieties are Grand, Fraser, Noble, Balsam and Douglas. Buying and Caring for a Fresh-Cut Christmas Tree Make sure to get the best tree for your home and take care of it properly. When shopping, test the tree by giving it a slight shake. A few falling brown needles are not uncommon, but falling green needles mean the tree is dry. Look for a full, symmetrical shape. You can sacrifice a bit of perfection if the tree will be displayed in a corner. Be wary of branches near the ground that may have to be removed to fit into a tree stand.The needles should be flexible but snap when bent sharply. Trees with stiff needles that are losing their color should be avoided.

Also avoid a tree with needles that pull off very easily. Be certain your vehicle can safely transport the tree you purchase to your home. Bring rope or bungee cords to secure the load adequately. Take care to protect your vehicle because tree branches and resin can mar the finish. When you get the tree home, cut a 1/2-inch-thick disk from the base. (or Lowe's can make the cut for you.) This slice is critical; when trees are cut in the field, they produce a layer of sap that seals the cut. This layer prevents water from rising up the trunk. The cut opens the vascular system for water intake. Ideally, after making the cut, place the tree in a bucket of water and let it absorb fresh water for several hours before placing it in the tree stand. Once the holiday season has passed, dispose of the Christmas tree in a safe and appropriate manner. Your city probably has guidelines for disposal. Good to KnowA dry tree is unsightly and a fire hazard. Fresh-cut trees need a constant supply of water (more than a quart a day for most species).