Paul is light years ahead when it comes to festive decorations
A CHRISTMAS-mad grandfather has spent thousands of pounds putting up 15,000 LED lights, projectors, decorated trees, flashing signs and elaborate statues all over his home this year.
Businessman Paul Campbell’s house at The Meadows in Londonderry is decorated with eight Christmas trees inside and out, a plethora of glittering reindeer statues, inflatable Santas and snowmen, a virtual Santa window projection, musical-synchronised trees, speakers pumping out festive tunes and thousands of twinkling lights all over his front and back gardens.
The father-of-three (54), owner of security company BHP Alarms, and his wife Sinead spend two weeks putting up their decorations.
The tradition has taken on a life of its own.
Paul explained: “We started when the children were small, just with a few lights out the front and out the back. It grew from there and we added to it every year.
“The kids are all grown-up now, they are in their 20s and 30s and have kids of their own. But the display just keeps getting bigger. It’s an obsession, really.
“I would say I have spent around £7,000 on decorations. We love it. Our kids love it, the grandchildren love it and the neighbours love it. Most of the lights I would have sent away to America for.
“I made the North Pole signs myself from pipes, tape, spray paint and solar lights. A lot of the lights I have made myself. I work with alarm systems and a lot of the circuits and knowledge of how they work are really the same.
“A lot of people come to see the house when it’s all lit up for Christmas. It’s quite a small culde-sac but there can be up to 30 cars here at one time. Last Christmas Day we were all at the dinner table and a bus stopped outside. A load of people jumped out and started taking pictures outside the window while we were eating. It was very funny.”
He plans to install a collection box so people visiting can donate money for Foyle Hospice.
“It’s not just our house. I have my son’s, my sister’s and my daughter’s house all done up in the same way with lights and statues all over their gardens. It really is a family tradition.”
Inspired by an American millionaire friend in Mississippi, who has his garden decorated in elaborate fashion, Paul promises that next year his display will be even better: “I’m hoping to have full-size reindeers and a sleigh crashed in the garden too.
“I’m also putting a big glass bauble dome, which is five metres tall and three metres wide out there so people can get photos in it.”