Santa Claus shouldn't have any trouble landing his sleigh in Provo this year.

The moon will be nearly gone from the sky this Christmas Eve night, but fret not: There will be plenty of lights to guide jolly old St. Nick to town. The Provo Municipal Council this week recognized 13 houses that rise above the rest in glowing holiday spirit.

The houses and their families were nominated by the city's neighborhood chairs for the honor. They were selected not just for going the extra mile in December, but for being exceptional community members all year long, said Executive Director Terry Ann Harward.

"These people are good neighbors," she said. "This is just one of the ways they give back."

Merlin Barney, 68, is one such neighbor. Though confined to a wheelchair, he worked with his wife, Gail, and brother-in-law, Ken Thomas, to decorate his house on 400 South for the neighborhood kids to enjoy -- something to "enlighten their thoughts," he said.

"People still do have the effort to do things to make people happy and feel good about the way that things are," he said. "A lot of people put a lot of effort into their homes all around us, and to be recognized is quite an honor."

AWARD-WINNING LIGHT DISPLAYS

Tanner Atwater, 1354 N. Geneva Road

Jeremy Gauchay, 988 N. 1230 South

Merlin Barney, Gail Barney and Ken Thomas, 831 W. 400 South

Sergio and Lupe Martinez, 1169 S. 760 West

Phillip and Jennifer Taylor, 1289 Apple Ave.

Richard and Mary Ann Jensen, 338 N. 1120 West

Todd and Amy Stoddard, 437 S. 1740 West

Jay and Shirley Simons, 2664 N. 930 East

Tyson and Lindsey Mackay, 1136 E. 820 North

Cory Virgin, 558 N. 2310 West

Sonny and Martha Makasini, 1951 S. Montanan Ave.

Ann Willey, 3055 N. 175 East

Keith and Susan Anderson, 2552 N. 850 West

• Ace Stryker can be reached at 344-2556 or astryker@heraldextra.com.