RED, WHITE & YULE HOLIDAY LIGHTS GET PATRIOTIC.

Byline: Mariel Garza Staff Writer

Red, white and green are the traditional colors of Christmas. But this year, spurred by a wave of post-Sept. 11 patriotism, a new color scheme has crept into the holiday palette - red, white and blue.

Throughout the San Fernando Valley, residents are dressing up their homes and offices in patriotic themes: giant flashing American flags, snowmen waving Old Glory from the lawn, and pine trees swathed in the bold colors of the U.S. of A.

``We're feeling really patriotic,'' said Pam Gietzen, who owns Deforest's Christmas Shop in Woodland Hills and has dressed up her home on Bermuda Street in Chatsworth with all things red, white and blue. ``We feel honored to live in this country and we want everyone to know it.''

At Gietzen's store, stars-and-stripes-theme ornaments are selling briskly. Customers are scooping up ribbons and Christmas-tree balls bearing the colors of the flag, as well as ornaments of American historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Paul Revere.

``We've sold out of a lot of stuff already,'' Gietzen said. ``We have an ample supply but not like we had.''

Some residents are just incorporating small pieces of Old Glory into their traditional themes rather than devoting the entire display to American unity.

``I'll probably do that,'' said Karen Rosenfield of Woodland Hills, whose front door is painted in red, white and blue. She wants to add lights and other distinctive touches to her spirited holiday display. ``My entire front door is one big, billowing flag.''

In Burbank, Karen Ross has decorated the Tallyrand restaurant in red, white and blue lights. Up since early November, the patriotic display will stay up well into the new year, said Ross, the restaurant's owner and manager.

``We just want to show our spirit and keep it going,'' Ross said. ``This is something we can show night after night.''

Bill Thuesen, owner of Christmas Decor, a Burbank commercial and residential Christmas decorating franchise, has completed about 10 patriotic-themed projects - including his own home.

In addition to flag displays in his yard, Thuesen has built a 15-foot by 25-foot American flag on his roof that glows at night.

``You can probably see it from outer space,'' he said.

But not everyone is going for stars and stripes this year. Many shoppers at Green Thumb Nursery in Canoga Park are opting for simple holiday decorations - white lights, fresh garlands and wreaths - store manager John Irwin said.

``Icicle lights were the big rage the last three to four years,'' he said, ``and now there's a return to more traditional things.''

At the Boys & Girls Club in Burbank, decorations are low-key but patriotic, with the entrance aglow in red, white and blue lights.

``It's not very elaborate,'' Executive Director Alex Fey said. ``We just got the lights up and we'll put a few more up and then finish with some giant wreaths.''

The Americana touch was inspired by the youngsters' efforts to raise money for poor Afghan children. Thuesen, touched by their fund-raising work, donated the lights to the club.

``It all ties in together,'' Fey said. ``That way, the kids get an extra treat as well.''

CAPTION(S):

5 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) Above, Pam and Lon Gietzen have added a traditional Santa Claus to their Bermuda Street, Chatsworth, patriotic display. At left, John and Sandy Reilly have gone flag-wild at their Devonshire Street home in Granada Hills.

(3 -- color) Phil Nabonne of Newbury Park hangs lights at home, with the American flag as the centerpiece.

(4 -- color) Pam Gietzen's front-door wreath sports a patriotic ribbon.

(5 -- color) A miniature Liberty Bell complete with flags hangs on the Gietzens' Christmas tree.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer

Box:

HOMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS