The local area will soon be alight with Christmas-decorated homes. Some houses are already aglow, while other Christmas light decorators are busily planning their designs and untangling hundreds of metres of LED laden wires.
Christmas lights have become one of the highlights of the festive season. Armidale resident, Grant Lomas is one of those avid Christmas lights decorators who delight in putting on a good show. “Every year has to be bigger, brighter and better,” he said. “You’re only limited by room and money”.
For Grant and his family, seeing their display at No. 6 Sylvia Crescent shining in the wide-eyes of children and the cars that scope the Christmas lights like tourists, make it all worth the effort. It is a labourious undertaking.
“It takes me the equivalent of eight full day’s work,” he said.
“It gives me a lot of joy to do it. I like to see the kids come up, smile and play around the lights. You connect with the community and really feel the Christmas spirit. I feel I have to do it every year now.”
When it comes to Christmas lights, Grant believes it is not a case of the more the merrier. “If you put too many lights out, it just causes a blur. We don’t have lights taking away from blow-ups. We try to have themes.”
A great deal of thought and planning goes into many of the displays. Like large-scale art installations, much is taken into account, beyond the colour and quantity of lights. “I try to make it different each year. This Christmas, we are going with a “winter wonderland theme’. We are going to use a snow machine to achieve an authentic white Christmas look and feel,” Grant said.
There are two important warnings in relation to Christmas lights.
Decorators are advised to secure their homes before going to bed.
“A few years ago, we had a break and enter into our home, because a power cord for some lights was left through an open window.
“Young thieves came in through the window just two days before Christmas. My family was asleep when it happened and it was quite scary,” Grant said.
“It is very sad that anyone could do that, especially at this time of year. It happened to us – don’t let it happen to you.”
“Make sure you lock up tight. Take power cables out of doorways and windows. Be alert, inside and out. As well as precious belongings, you don’t want people walking off with your lights or a prized decoration.”
Meanwhile, when hundreds of New England families pack the kids into the car and circle suburbia as Christmas light tourists, drivers are advised to take care. Pedestrians (particularly children) are often wandering about and can be difficult to see with the bright, flickering lights. Given the distractions, it is often better to park the vehicle, rather than admire a display while driving.
Story: Gary Fry
