Laguna woman creates a Christmas wonderland and invites the public in

After going all out decorating her Laguna Beach apartment for Halloween, Kristy Amber Richard decided Christmas was the next logical step.

Plus, it was a way to honor her mother and help children and animals in need.

Richard and neighbors created their own winter wonderland on the courtyard of a 12-unit apartment complex at 637 Glenneyre St. that opened to the public Thursday and welcomes visitors from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. each night through Dec. 23.

Spectators can stroll along paths decorated with artificial lollipops and wooden soldiers, sip hot chocolate, and say hi to Santa, who will reside in a house specifically built for the occasion.

Richard will collect money and gifts to benefit two charities — Operation Santa Claus and New Beginnings for Animals. She made several of the decorations, including the lollipops.

“I’m a holiday junkie, no matter what it is,” Richard said standing in the courtyard earlier this week.

Richard’s mother, Mary Jo Giordano, loved decorating the family’s home in Temecula for the holidays.

Giordano re-created scenes from “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” and that passion resonated with Richard. Giordano, who had multiple sclerosis, died three years ago.

Russell Wallace and Scott Jacobs, two of Richard’s friends, spent two days on site building a wooden Santa house. One of the inside painted walls has a scene of a fireplace, while a lighted star hangs above the doorway.

Each wall can be taken apart so the structure can be re-assembled for future displays.

Jacobs, who lives in Fullerton, said he was honored when Richard asked him to participate.

“There is no other better way to give back than building a Santa house,” Jacobs said.

Richard estimates she used more than 1,000 strands of lights, which wrap around staircase handrails and cascade from a palm tree.

Peter Kurtz, one of Richard’s neighbors, decorated his apartment with lights and volunteered to play Santa one night.

Richard bought a lot of the decorations, such as wreaths, lights and ornaments, from the Assistance League of Laguna Beach’s Christmas boutique.