HR and admin officer Elaine Robertson, 70, from The Wisp, explains why she has covered her home in Christmas decorations for 45 years.
I began when I moved here in 1979, with the large tree in the garden; I strung lights around it, and everything developed from there. I’ve just been adding to it year after year, but the garden is very full right now. So I just replace the decorations and lights when they go out.
I love Christmas. My parents adored Christmas and made a huge deal out of it every year, so I’m just like them. It’s just such a lovely time of year, when everyone is friendlier and more willing to make time for others, I believe.
I know it’s a cliché, but people are kinder and more willing to stop and talk to you around Christmas. It’s my favourite time of year; there’s a lot of activity and people running around.
I don’t know how many decorations I have now. There are 12 reindeer, two Santa Clauses, plenty of candy canes, Christmas trees, and other decorations. They are largely battery-powered, so my electricity bill isn’t too high, but I go through a lot of them.
Every year around mid-November, I pull down the decorations and lights from my attic and keep them up until the New Year.
The neighbors love it, and they asked me to put it up earlier during Covid to cheer folks up while we were all imprisoned in our homes. They appear to enjoy my decorations. I’ve never had any unpleasant vibes.
At Christmas, people in this estate come out more and interact with one another. And they spend hours just looking at my Christmas lights and decorations. Many individuals ask whether they can record them to share with friends and family.
I once had a refugee family arrive and stand at the fence for half an hour, marveling at them. It made me realize how much we take for granted having a calm Christmas with tons of decorations and that festive atmosphere. It is fantastic to make other people happy.
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