We hit the holiday trifecta in Ballard – 3 free, fun things less than a miles apart:

1. Olympic Manor, off 85th, is a mid-century development that’s been known for its amazing holiday lights since it was built. They took it out of the official covenants with the energy crisis in the ’70s, but residents still go all out every year. We’ve been to a lot of holiday light shows (fancy, expensive ticketed ones) and Olympic Manor is still our favorite.

2. The nutcracker house, 9016 Loyal Ave NW. PNB’s harpist lives here, and he saved the props from the Maurice Sendak-designed Nutcracker production and displays them at his house. Here's my story for The Seattle Times.

3. Santa's official mailbox, 8007 Earl Ave NW. You put in your letter and SANTA WRITES BACK.