Hey Doctor Amy: Why Alexandria’s Giant Holiday Cards Still Matter

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Let’s talk about one of Alexandria’s most joyfully quirky holiday traditions: Christmas Card Lane. It started on Luray Avenue in 2020, inspired by Del Ray resident and graphic artist Becky Van Zoeren, who brought the idea with her from Michigan, where giant holiday yard cards have been popping up since 1965.

“Almost 300 cards have been created in the last six years,” exclaimed Gretchen Steenstra in a social media post recently.  The cards now strike a pose, spotlighted in yards all over Alexandria.

If you’ve wandered through Del Ray or Rosemont lately, you’ve likely spotted them, giant handmade yard cards bursting with holiday cheer. There’s Santa in sunglasses, snowmen with attitude, menorahs lighting the lawn, and this year, even a full-on Santa Stormtrooper.

I took a stroll with my 8-year-old grandson last weekend, and he gleefully posed with an elf, a snowman, and the aforementioned galactic Santa. It’s festive mayhem in the best possible way.

More Than Decorations: A Neighborhood Love Letter

But these giant cards are more than cute photo ops. They’re a sign, literally and figuratively, that we still know how to show up for each other.

In a season that can feel like a sprint through crowded schedules, heavy emotions, and too many online shopping carts, these oversized yard cards remind us what really matters: simple, shared joy. The kind you don’t have to RSVP for. The kind that shows up when neighbors wave from the sidewalk or a kid squeals over a glittery penguin with a candy cane.

And if you’re thinking, “Wait, is it too late to join in?” not at all. The tradition is alive and well in 2025. You can still add a card to your yard and pin your spot to the interactive map so others can include your masterpiece on their holiday walks.

No Perfection Required—Just a Little Courage

Here’s the best part: you don’t need to be crafty or clever to participate. You just need a piece of plywood, some paint, and the tiniest sprinkle of courage. Your kids can brainstorm ideas. Your teens can paint (begrudgingly). Your partner can dig out the staple gun. It’s holiday memory-making without the chaos.

And if this season feels a little heavy, maybe because of a tough year, tight finances, or just the ongoing exhaustion of life, this tradition still makes space for you. Your message can be loud or quiet, silly or sweet, joyful or gentle. Whatever fits your front yard and your heart.

Alexandria has always been good at showing up for each other. Let’s keep that going, one oversized greeting card at a time. Let’s fill the city with joy that you can see from the sidewalk. Let’s remind each other that being part of a community still matters, and that the best traditions are the ones that invite everyone in.

So grab some paint and make a little magic. No perfection required.