BRIGHT IDEA: HOLIDAY BOAT-A-LONG

Where:   Naples, Florida
How It Happens:   The members of the Coconut River Estates Civic Association -- whose Naples, Florida, neighborhood happens to include two canals -- take to the water each December in an annual parade of fabulously turned-out family boats. Each craft sports holiday lights; the lead boat plays a tape of Christmas tunes and is piloted by St. Nick himself. Those who don't participate in the flotilla watch the parade dockside while tossing wrapped candy to the kids on board. After the parade, everyone gathers at the neighborhood's common area for a bonfire and chili cook-off. The evening ends with a bingo tournament, some of the proceeds of which go to charity. "It's a great family event," says Lisa Morton, longtime resident and formerly the civic association's activities director. "The kids look forward to it all year."

BRIGHT IDEA: REMEMBRANCE RIBBONS

Where:   San Jose, California
How It Happens:   To spruce up the unprepossessing island in the center of the dead-end street where Diane Blum and her neighbors live, each family contributes a red ribbon emblazoned with holiday greetings and their hopes for the coming year -- everything from "Support the troops" to "Peace" to New Year's salutations. Each holiday season, new ribbons are added to hang alongside the old, making for an ever-expanding display. "When you're decorating outside, weatherproofing is always a challenge. We use decoupaging glue on pretty much everything," says Diane. The neighbors do minor repairs on the ribbons each year when they take them out of storage, then hang them in the trees along with Christmas tree balls and handmade ornaments. "It looks incredibly cheery," says Diane, "and it's helped to foster a sense of community."