Melrose Resident, Real Estate Agent Running Holiday Decoration Contest

MELROSE, MA — Melrose community members have a chance to win hundreds of dollars this holiday season through a newly launched holiday decoration contest.

Melrose resident and real estate agent Torin Hanlon announced the contest on Wednesday, promising $1,000 in prize money doled out to residents who decorate their homes and submit a photo over the coming weeks.

One winner chosen randomly from the batch of submissions will receive $500.

Another winner, selected as the most liked home among photos posted in a Facebook comment chain dedicated to the contest will receive $500.

Hanlon lives with his wife and young child in the Highlands neighborhood of Melrose.

He said he recently got the idea for this contest after walking around the area with his wife and noticing a lack of lights and other holiday decorations. His family, he added, had not decorated their home.

“I realized, it does take time and effort and some money,” Hanlon told Patch on Wednesday.

Hanlon said he hopes his contest will help incentivize decorating to spread holiday cheer this year in Melrose.

The split award categories aim to reward those that go above and beyond with elaborate, crowd-pleasing decorations, while also giving individuals with more subdued decorations a chance to win.

Residents interested in being considered for the most liked prize must submit a photo of their decorated home in the comments of Hanlon’s Facebook post here.

Residents interested in the random selection prize can submit by Facebook or by email by emailing Hanlon at Torin.Hanlon@compass.com.

Submissions must be in by Dec. 23. Winners will be announced on the following day.

Community members are invited to check back with Hanlon’s post and like their favorite photo submissions to help choose a most liked winner.