Cross Realty has brought back its annual Christmas light contest for its third year.

“We’ve had good participation and response over the last couple of years and everybody seems to enjoy doing it,” said Lee Cross, associate broker at Cross Realty. “It’s turned into a lot of fun.”

In past years, the contest has yielded an impressive array of homes that light up the night with their holiday décor. The grand prize winner is decided by likes on Facebook, so winning the contest is less about flashiness and more about social media marketing.

“The votes don’t always track with the ones you would necessarily think it would,” Cross said. “Sometimes, it’s about how hard the individual owners promote it.”

A Judges’ Choice prize will be chosen by the Cross daughters, ages 7, 5 and 2 and a half.

“Their preferences can change, so it’s a little bit of a moving target,” their father warned.

“It’s been a fun family thing for us to do,” Cross said. “My girls and myself have a lot of fun, and my wife, Kate, too. We’ve enjoyed being a part of it.”

Photos or videos of homes to be entered can be messaged to the Cross Realty Suffolk VA Facebook page, including the address and phone number. They will then be posted on the page, and the home that receives the most likes through Jan. 2 will be the winner of $250 to help with their power bill.

The Judges’ Choice winner will receive $150.

The contest is co-sponsored by the Suffolk News-Herald.

Eligible homes must be located in Suffolk, Isle of Wight County or Southampton County.