We were having an office debate this morning about the merits of hiring a professional to hang your holiday decorations vs. doing it yourself (Clark Griswolds of the world, unite!).

Rather than keep yakking about it, we’d like to settle the issue. At least for 2009. So we’re having a Deck the Halls contest to determine who in America did the best job of decorating their home for the holidays this year. The contest is open to anyone. Up for grabs is an annual Angie’s List membership in the market of the winner or winners’ choice.

If you’ve decorated your home yourself or hired a professional (don’t forget to send us a report if you’re an Angie’s List member), please send us a photo showing the holiday display. We also encourage professional decorators to submit a photo showing off their best work.

We’ll announce at least two winners: one for the best inside (interior) display and one for the best outside (exterior) display. Depending on the results we get, there may be also be a prize for the most outrageous.

Please submit only if you’re also giving us permission to use your name and photograph when we talk (here on the blogfurther about this contest. We may also use the photographs for magazine articles about holiday decorating. We’re only interested in home decorations – so please don’t submit commercial building examples.

Submit your photo entries to photos@angieslist.com . Please identify yourself with a name, street address and phone number. We won’t share that information with anyone else, but we’ll call you up to verify it’s actually your home if we’re going to use your shot.