CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — The holiday season is glowing a little brighter on Walnut Creek Pike, where Shauna and Brendan Gaines, of 190 Walnut Creek Pike, have been named the first Weekly Winner in the 2025 Pickaway County Christmas Light Challenge.
The Christmas Light Challenge is an annual event created by Paula Routt of Valmer Land Title Agency, along with Jason Roth, a Loan Advisor at Union Capital Mortgage. Sciotopost chased the team around since 2024, jumping in on the fun.
The popular community contest—sponsored by Valmer Land Title Agency, Union Capital Mortgage, and The Burris & Sparks Team—invites residents across Pickaway County to create dazzling outdoor holiday displays. Weekly winners will be announced on December 4, 11, and 18, with a People’s Choice Award to follow on December 20. Each winner receives a yard sign and a gift card prize.
“We love seeing the creativity and holiday spirit our community brings every year,” said Paula Routt of Valmer Land Title Agency. “This event spreads cheer and brings neighbors together during the season.”
For the Gaines family, Christmas lights are far more than decoration—they’re a heartfelt tribute. Shauna, who grew up in the Walnut Creek Pike home, continues a tradition started by her late father, a man who took immense pride in lighting up the holidays.
“This is my childhood home,” Shauna said. “After my dad passed away, we decided to take over. He was huge into putting up Christmas lights every year. I helped him as a little girl—he was out here every night checking lights and moving things. He just loved it.”
The tradition has only deepened in meaning this year. Shauna’s father-in-law, Lt. Steve Gaines, recently passed away, leaving behind cherished holiday pieces he gifted to the family—among them a Snoopy decoration and a leg lamp that now shine proudly in the display.
“We put those up every year,” Shauna said. “We dedicate all of this to my dad and my father-in-law. That’s why we do it.”
Her son Brendan, who now has a place of his own, still returns to help decorate the family home—continuing a holiday legacy across generations.
“There’s a little bit at my apartment, but most of the big stuff is here,” he said with a smile. “We even bought a bigger Santa this year to keep up the tradition.”
With seven sons and a home full of memories, the Gaines family says they hope the love and effort poured into their display inspires their children to carry on the tradition in years to come.
Contest organizers of the Christmas Light Challenge thanked the family for their involvement and wished them luck as they move forward in the competition.
