Children and adults alike look forward to the holiday season for many reasons.  One of them is the ritual of evening drives around various neighborhoods to view brightly and beautifully decorated homes.  
   Longtime residents of Ramona likely recall one of the best areas in town for this time honored tradition was Lawrence Lane, just off Ramona Street.  While there are only two homes on that lane, for more than 20 years, it looked like Las Vegas when the pair of homeowners was finished with their outdoor holiday decorating.
   Only one home is decked out in outdoor Christmas attire this year, since illness at the other home belonging to Kathy Brewer and her husband, Taylor, has forced them to scale back. Not only did the Brewers elaborately decorate the exterior of their home, but they also packed every room in the house with Christmas décor.  
   In an effort to simplify life, but to brighten the community all year long, Kathy Brewer has opened a shop at 638 Main St. called ‘Tis the Season. One-of-a-kind, collectible items crowd the shop that is next to Ramona Family Naturals.
   The shop opened right after Thanksgiving with the Brewers emptying a walk-in closet at home, a garage and two storage sheds that had contained their 20-year collection of Christmas decorations.
   The holiday stock is augmented with display cases of sterling silver and elegant costume jewelry and Western wear accessories that include studded sparkling belts and handbags.  Coca Cola and Pepsi memorabilia collectors will discover a bonanza in a corner packed with items, including rare 1960s-era Coca Cola Santa dolls.
   Kathy Brewer’s goal is to create a year-round shop with gift and decorator items for both men and women, and for every decorating holiday and gift-giving event, including Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween and, of course, Christmas.  She says,
   “Ramonans should not have to go off the hill for their shopping, and I want to serve all their gift-giving and seasonal decorating needs,” said Brewer. “My heart goes out to victims of the fires, and I especially want to help them.”  
   Last week, she sold a fully decorated Christmas tree to a woman who had lost everything in the 2007 wildfire.  She offers a 25 percent discount off seasonal items to fire victims.  
   She has many more fully decorated trees, including one she calls “San Diego” with sports decorations depicting Sea World and the Zoo. She also has Santa figures ranging from life-size to miniatures, animated or not, antique or new.
   ‘Tis the Season is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday  Call 858-864-2549 for further information.