Lights tour keeps festive atmosphere
Andy Hopkins would love to be able to see his street from space at Christmas time.
He and his wife Deb have entered their Christmas lights into the Bayleys Christmas Lights Tour for the first time.
‘‘I remember growing up as a kid and having the inside completely decorated. We don’t do that now and this is just the modern way to do the same thing,’’ he says.
Their O’Sullivan Drive property is so far the only home on the street fully decked out for Christmas, but Andy is hoping their lights will inspire the neighbours.
‘‘We love sharing it. It would be great if the neighbours get into the spirit next year and we get some real competitiveness on the street.
‘‘It would be nice to see the road from space,’’ he laughs.
The couple are not new to decorating a home with Christmas lights. Their former Auckland property was always an attraction, but not to the extent they have gone to this year.
‘‘We have bought more since we came here.’’
Deb says they are both looking forward to people coming to enjoy the lights, but they say this year’s display will be nothing compared to next year.
‘‘Andy has got big plans for next year, maybe lights to music,’’ she says.
Their O’Sullivan Drive property, as well as Cecil and Heather Thompson’s impressive lights spectacular on James Ave, were the lucky winners of this year’s competition and have each received a $150 Mitre 10 voucher.
In previous years, winners were decided by judges, now they are chosen at random, to make it
‘‘I remember growing up as a kid and having the inside completely decorated. ’’
fair for everyone involved.
There are only a meagre seven entrants this year, compared to the 18 who were involved last year; and while this is a bit disappointing for Margaret Troughton from Bayleys Matamata, she says it doesn’t change the way they feel about it.
‘‘We love the spirit of Christmas and lighting up lives of other people, and bringing them joy.
‘‘I think Christmas has caught everyone on the hop, and I am sure people are putting them up now, but it has been slower than normal.’’