For 5-year-old Jack Waters, it was a hackney horse, Pete, that would carry him and his family in a carriage built for four through streets decked out with the holiday cheer. For his sister, 8-year-old Anna, it was the joy of a first-time experience.

"I've never gone on a carriage ride, but horses are my favorite animal," she said.

This season their mother, Melissa, planned ahead, after trying to book a ride last December only to discover that all the rides had been reserved.

"It is so quaint," she said. "Everyone loves the sound of the clippety-clop on the streets. It brings out the Christmas spirit."

Melissa reserved this year's ride as a surprise birthday present for her mother in-law, Marilyn, to enjoy with Melissa's children. Before the grandparents, Gary and Marilyn Waters, and children departed, Marilyn said, "I'm not going with my grandchildren, I'm going with these two elves," pointing to their red stocking hats.

When the children and their grandparents were settled inside the open-air, one-horse carriage, they began singing "Jingle Bells," with Anna squealing out in delight.

Other parents brought their children to Lincoln Avenue for a visit at the Santa's House, 1202 Lincoln Ave.

"Every kid should see Santa at Christmas," Cindy Gemmett said. Her 2-year-old daughter, Hannah, sat on Santa's lap for a Polaroid picture.

"I told her to pull on Santa's beard," Cindy said.

Santa Claus told The Willow Glen Resident that toy production is ahead of schedule and his elves are working round the clock. He also confided to the Resident what his favorite cookies were.

"I still like chocolate chip cookies," he said.

He added that he reads each child's letter and considers the child's behavior.

"One thing I notice is how clean their bedrooms are," he said.

Jerry Chapman, the pastor at Foursquare Church of San Jose and a Kiwanis Club member, played the role of the jolly man dressed in red.

The Kiwanis Club and the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association are sponsoring the Santa House and are asking for a $5 donation for a photo with Santa. The proceeds will benefit the Silicon Valley Children's Fund, a nonprofit children's shelter.

Kiwanis Club members Gary and Gloria Burns have participated in holiday community events for 10 years, but this is the first year they have helped at the Santa House on Lincoln Avenue.

Gloria is also a former principal at Willow Glen Elementary School and helped start the school's tree-lighting tradition five years ago.

"It's just a community affair," she said about the event that draws several hundred people. "I thought it could bring the community together, and that's what it has become."

Another community in Willow Glen that draws together around the holidays is the neighbors of Padres Court.

Not only do the residents deck their houses and yards with colored lights, but one neighbor hangs four rows of giant Christmas light bulbs across the street.

Mark Bowlby said lighting up his previous home in Blossom Valley for the holidays became a friendly neighborhood competition that he brought to his next home on Padres Court five years ago.

"Lighting is big in Willow Glen," he said. "It's fun. One year we had a limo come by to look at the lights."

When Bowlby had his home remodeled two years ago, he asked his builders to install a circuit with 110-volt outlets in the front yard and under the eaves to avoid using so many extension cords.

Bowlby said he bought most of the 10,000 to 15,000 lights that adorn his home from the local hardware store, but he special-ordered a set of blue lights on the web that are wrapped around his front porch's columns.

Neighbor Butch Butler spent $15,000 to purchase the supplies for the giant Christmas bulbs, which hang over the cul-de-sac.

Butler owns Butler Amusements, an amusement ride company, that provides rides and games to county fairs and school carnivals.

He also brings unique decorations to his neighborhood by providing a menagerie of topiaries wound with lights.

Neighbors pitch in by supplying power to light the 15-foot elephant, 18-foot giraffe, unicorn, swan, rabbit and hippo that grace sidewalks and yards.

"We enjoy the holidays because we're on the road so much," Butler said.

Bowlby added that Butler sends his workers to install the Christmas light bulbs on poles and deliver the topiaries a few days before Thanksgiving.

Bowlby's and Butler's holiday-light fixation has spurred other neighbors to participate in brightening their homes' exteriors.

A neighbor even formed the Padres Court Light Infantry to chide people for "poor lightmanship," Bowlby said.

He added that the neighbors enjoy the festive project and that they celebrate the holidays together with a progressive dinner, as well as holding block parties on Halloween and the Fourth of July.

Butler said the cul-de-sac is hidden off of Minnesota Avenue and not enough people know about the lighting bonanza.

"It reminds me of Whoville and the Grinch," Bowlby said.

Sleigh Bells Ring: Anna Waters (left) sings jingle bells with her grandmother, Marilyn. It was the first time the 8-year-old had ever ridden in a horse and carriage. The ride took her and her brother and grandparents through the downtown and neighborhood streets.

Horse-and-carriage rides can be reserved on Thursdays and Fridays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. until Dec. 24. Advance reservations can be made at 408.666.1990.

The Santa House is open Friday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 1202 Lincoln Ave. beginning Dec. 5 and ending Dec. 20.

Hicklebee's is offering Holiday Slipper Stories on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. through Dec. 18 at 1378 Lincoln Ave.

Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Company is offering live music at 1383 Lincoln Ave. On Dec. 19 pianist Jim Farber is appearing and on Dec. 20 Jazzmania is entertaining the coffee crowd.

Le Boulanger is hosting cookie decorating on Dec. 21 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 1351 Lincoln Ave.