Handmade Peanuts Christmas Display Brings Holiday Cheer to New Bedford

Located at 255 Wood Street in New Bedford, at the corner of Wood and Conduit Streets, lies a merry house full of Christmas cheer.

It's a sight to be seen as you scour the SouthCoast searching for nearby homes with festive decorations.

However, this display doesn't consist of giant inflatables or synchronized lights. It's a decades-old tradition that's become a labor of love for one local family: highlighting cherished characters from the beloved comic strip Peanuts.

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Handmade Holiday

"My husband Jim and I have been hand-making displays for Christmas and Halloween for decades, displaying them wherever we live, replacing characters as they get too worn," Melissa Masse said.

"The earliest I recall ever making them was back around 1993 for my father's yard. That was before I met my husband and moved to New Bedford" Masse recalled. "My father would cut the wood out for me with a jigsaw."

Running nightly from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., the Christmas display has been lighting up the neighborhood for many years.

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A Labor of Love

Her passion for the yearly tradition remains strong even after many decades (and repairs).

Over time, the Charles Schulz characters such as Linus, Lucy, Sally, Woodstock, Charlie Brown and Snoopy start to show the wear and tear of being outdoors during a New England winter.

So the Masses roll up their sleeves and revive the pieces when necessary.

"I do the character paintings on the wood. In all other things, we work together to make the magic happen for the holidays," Masse said.

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A Festive Hit

A big star of the show is the Snoopy booth.

"That stays up all year long and the theme changes monthly," Masse said. "Snoopy has even received cards in the mail."

She recalled one letter in particular, postmarked from Boston, which read:

"He makes me smile every time I drive by."

So if you're in need of an extra smile this holiday season, you know where to go.

"It warms our hearts that the displays positively impact our community. More importantly, it's established a connection to our neighbors," Masse said.

"As they walk or drive by, they always stop and talk with us awhile, sharing their stories, sometimes sharing their challenges," she said. "They let us know that walking by our displays always brings them joy, and we feel that's the best gift anyone can give."