HOLIDAYS : Homes Plug In to the Holiday : Residents in many neighborhoods are going all out to create Christmas wonderlands in their yards.

After Thanksgiving, Kathy Lenard turns her attention to the Christmas season. She bakes gingerbread cookies for the neighbors, prepares food baskets for her church, selects and decorates the tree, and rearranges her home for her sister’s arrival from Omaha.

And she anxiously awaits the lights.

“I stumbled upon them quite by accident,” said Lenard, a Panorama City resident. “About five years ago, I was taking a course at Pierce College when I decided to drive through the residential area across from the school. Wow! What a sight. There was this sparkling place tucked away like a magical world.

“I raced home, loaded my sister and her four kids into the van, and drove back. They went crazy. Now we visit several times during their stay.”

That sparkling world is called Candy Cane Lane.

“Well, actually, Candy Cane Lane is a bit of a misnomer,” said Peter Brock, a resident of the Woodland Hills area for the past 25 years. “The next block over is Candy Cane Lane. This block is called Candle Light Lane. Then you have Bell Lane and one more over is Church Lane. Each block has its own theme.”

It’s not certain when the four-block area of large ranch-style homes began elaborately decorating the yards with lights, Santas, sleighs, candles, bells and Nativity scenes. Brock said it’s been standard procedure since the tract was first developed about 45 years ago.

But historical facts aren’t really important here. It’s a kindred spirit--literally a light that burns within the community--that keeps the magic alive year after year.

“It isn’t difficult to keep things going. Some folks move here just so they can be part of the tradition,” Brock said.

For those who cherish their Christmas light displays, it’s not unusual to begin decorating immediately after their Thanksgiving feast.

“This is serious business,” said Susan Cunningham, of Saugus. “We start Thanksgiving Day and continue right through the long weekend until we get everything just right.”

The Cunninghams, along with their cul-de-sac, have started their own version of Candy Cane Lane for the Santa Clarita Valley. With more than 15 families participating, neighbors string thousand of lights, along with Santas, candy canes, reindeer and religious scenes. Since the Cunninghams also celebrate Hanukkah, they display the Star of David as well.

This year, the family added an additional $200 worth of Yuletide ornaments.

Last year, the Saugus street was visited by several groups of church carolers, a parade by a local antique car club and even old St. Nick, passing out candy canes.

“We hold a barbecue as well,” Cunningham said. “And everyone is invited.”

A peek at what some residents are up to:

* The Cunninghams and their neighborhood display are on the 21600 block of Masterson Court in Saugus. To get there, go north on Bouquet Canyon Road, pass Seco Canyon Road, turn left on Centurion Way, right on Caraway Lane and up a few blocks to Masterson Court.

* The Candy Cane Lane section of Woodland Hills isn’t difficult to find. It’s bounded by Oxnard Street, Corbin Avenue, the Ventura Freeway and Winnetka Avenue. The Brocks and their neighbors’ Candle Light Lane are on Oakdale Avenue.

* The Kaplan family, which has been decorating its home for 13 years, begins planning the Agoura Hills extravaganza following Halloween. The property virtually explodes with more than 115,000 lights.

There are four fog machines, a mechanical Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, candy canes, elves, a train, snowmen, and Santa and his flying laser show. This year, the home has an official designation--it’s the first private home to be a collection site for the U. S. Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots drive; donations must be new, unwrapped and cost from $5 to $20. The Kaplan home is at 5831 Grey Rock Road.

* Sandra Bostram has been adding to her yard collection for 10 years. Each year becomes more elaborate, said the Cal State Northridge piano professor, who constructs most of the decorations. Besides thousands of colored lights, there is a gingerbread house, a jack-in-the-box, candy canes and reindeer. The Bostram residence is at 4447 Atoll Ave., Sherman Oaks.

* Nancy and Robert Major work feverishly for days after Thanksgiving to get their Lancaster home ready. Last year the family counted 3,000 visitors, with countless others driving by to glimpse the thousands of lights, a moving train and a Ferris wheel with Care Bears and Disney characters taking a ride.

Some guests were able to meet Santa Claus. The jolly old man is set to appear this year from 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The home is at 42654 35th St.

* The Stewart family, 11640 Bromont Ave., Pacoima, concentrates mostly on religious themes for its outdoor display. A Nativity scene graces the property, along with an outdoor tree and lights.

* The 23700 block of Arminta Street, near Roscoe and Valley Circle boulevards in West Hills, has started lighting up over the last couple of years. Most of the neighborhood waits until Monte Markowitz gets things going. For more than seven years, the family has celebrated Christian and Jewish faiths with outdoor displays.

This year, more than 12,000 lights will sparkle in the yard, along with a Star of David, menorah, Santa and lots of candy canes.

* The Resh family, 1919 N. Fairview St., Burbank, has a train, life-size Santa Claus, reindeer, cartoon characters, religious figures and cute little penguins that travel to the North Pole.

* Tom and Hycy Connelly grew up around the Woodland Hills Candy Cane Lane, so the tradition of going all out is almost second nature. They have about 2,000 lights, a large Santa, complete with sleigh and reindeer, a train and two fully decorated Christmas trees. The home is at 7930 Bobbyboyar Ave., West Hills.

* The Averys started their outdoor tradition more than 20 years ago. Today, it’s still a family affair, with both sons helping their father over the weekend after Thanksgiving. The traditional stable scene is more than five feet high.

The yard also features a stable scene, Santa, a decorated pine tree, toy soldiers, a snowman, and choir boys and girls. The home is at 3216 N. Kenneth Road, Burbank.