But the families of the ’Boro have rallied and its turning out to be a bright, shining Christmas season after all. Here’s 11 (or more) of our favorites, nominated by Murfreesboro Post readers and proudly inspected by the newspaper’s elves.

1. North Murfreesboro once held the title “Britest of them all,” but in the last two years, the Salem Cove subdivision near Scales Elementary School has managed to outshine them all with the residents of Oakside Court setting a colorful pace.

Adrianne Pangborn, a resident of the brightly decorated street, explains the neighborhood’s attitude:

“I have lived on Oakside Court for three years. For the first time the entire court, for the most part, is decorated. The lights really dress up the neighborhood.

“There are many different themes but it is nice to see an entire street come together. It really increases the feeling of Christmas. One house has lots of white lights tastefully hung. The house next to it is also decorated in white lights,” she said.

“The house next to mine, has Santa Claus display on the front porch. Several ladies let their kids decorate. Their houses have LOTS of color. My husband and I went with blue and white lights with a nice, soft green for the backdrop. I placed trees in almost all the windows. I am not only nominating my house but my entire court. I always look for streets with lots of lights. Oakside Court provides that and so much more,” Adrianne said.

2. The houses of Oakside aren’t the only brites in the St. Andrews Drive area. There’s a certain white, brite shining home on Melvin Drive that has few rivals.

“You can’t miss the house. It is like a light bright. They have all their trees, bushes, house, etc. covered in white lights. Can’t miss it. You can see it from space,” a Post reader says.

Take a left on St Andrews near Kohls. Go past the apartments and the town homes. When you go past the town homes, take the first left then take the first right on Melvin Drive. You can reach this dazzler off either Roscommon or Holsted Drive.

Not all the “brites” in the 37028 Zip code are in the St. Andrews/Cason Lane area.

3. Paul and Debi Williams have a musical entry on Brinkley Road near Cedar Creek subdivision. On Franklin Road (traveling toward Franklin) turn right on Brinkley Road. The Williams live at 437 Brinkley Road.

“The lights are in sync with Christmas music. The speakers are outside. It’s a classic Christmas because all the lights are white. They also have inflatables to go along with their Christmas theme. What I really love is listening to the music as I drive past their home,” wrote a neighbor.

4. But there’s also the beautiful red and white display at 392 Abbie Road, Murfreesboro - across from Barfield Elementary School on Barfield Crescent Road.

“You need to see the tasteful wonderful light display. I know these others put up probably more lights – but if we were going on the prestige award … check this one out!!! All red and white, just Beautiful. Our kids love going by this house at 392 Abbie Road,” a Post reader suggested.

5. While we are in the neighborhood, cruise on down until you see the impressive display at 4600 Barfield Crescent Road. The yard is decorated with lights that depict everything from Santa on a fire engine, but that focus on a nativity scene. This display is a perennial readers’ favorite.

You have to head east to see the brite display 815 S.E. Broad St. that features a Santa train and a unique holiday seesaw in addition a merry-go-round and loads of colorful lights.

But some of the best holiday displays in Murfreesboro are reserved for the area between Mitchell-Neilson and Northfield Elementary Schools.

6. The residence at 1726 Jones Blvd. is on the “don’t you miss it” list. Ken and Anita Hermes have multiple lights surrounding the property with many of the features handcrafted including a large Santa, his sleigh and reindeer. Mr. Hermes adds something new to his display each year, which is particularly loved by children. There are event strings of lights on the roof of the home.

7. If you continue on Jones until it runs into Northfield Boulevard you will easily spot all the holiday figurines at 910 W. Northfield. Beginning with a long line of Santas and penguins, the plastic figures gradually grown in size and height with a life-size nativity scene and a tall Santa. There are even angels flying in the air. Very unique.

8. If you drive a short distance west on West Northfield, you will spy Hamilton Drive, which is home to the city’s most high-tech Holiday Brite at 1918 Hamilton Drive, Murfreesboro.

The home of Sandra Elgin and Bill Maxwell is ready to entertain and amaze with a computer-controlled light show set to music. It’s amazing and grows more elaborate each year and remains one of the most popular as the long lines of traffic attest. Please do the neighbors a favor and don’t block the cross streets or park in anyone’s yard. Patience and courtesy are the keywords to an enjoyable viewing.

9. Once you have viewed the amazing lights on Hamilton, don’t miss Steve and Dorita Judy’s home at 907 Dogwood Dr. Located on a cross street between Jones and Hamilton, this family has inflatables, lights, angel, reindeer, trees, two large lit candy canes, a large tree in the window and animated dolls in other windows.

“We have done this for the past few years and really enjoy it. We add something new each year,” the Judy family said. “Just knowing that at least one person who drives by enjoys it, is all that matters. It brings back memories of when we were small and would drive around looking at Christmas displays.”

Or if the line on Hamilton Drive is too long, you can head the opposite direction on West Northfield and check out two beautifully decorated homes on Haynes Haven Drive near Northfield School. A neighbor in that colorful subdivision has nominated the Johnson home at 415 Haynes Haven Lane and the Barlow home at 420 Haynes Haven Lane.

While heading north, you might consider a short drive in the country toward Walter Hill.

10. Just call Sean Florian “Clark Griswold Jr.,” the star of National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation” movie.

Florian, who lives at 1134 Mantle Way in Walter Hill, uses 25,000 lights to elaborately decorate his home for Christmas, ironically, the same number of lights Griswold lit in the movie. Because of the similarities between Florian and the Chevy Chase character, his wife, Tiffini, nicknamed him “Clark Griswold.”

“As soon as you turn onto Mantle Way, you can’t miss it,” Florian said with pride in his voice. “It will be the only house glowing.”

11. And don’t miss the Morgan and Virginia Cherry display on Roanoke Drive off Jefferson Pike in Walter Hill. With a Nativity scene, trees, lights, reindeers, Mickey Mouse and friends, animations and a lot more, there is truly something for everyone.

The Cherry family tries “to bring smiles to kids faces, bring memories to young and old. Also to just give peace and joy in a hard economic time.”

Amen to that.