A very ‘green’ Christmas
The couple build the decorations and Debbie paints them. Then, they sticker them using reflective tape. Red, white, blue and yellow colours are the easiest to come by, Reid says, but he hopes to get enough green to make a large wreath someday.
The display is a labour of love for the couple, with some pieces, like the train carrying Santa, taking a few days to complete.
“They’ll last for a long time. They’re made out of plywood,” said Debbie.
The couple have been married for 41 years, together for 45. He playfully teases that “she’s out of control” when it comes to decorating.
“It was my idea (initially) but she’s the one who just comes up with everything,” said Reid, motioning to the ever-growing display.
Debbie says she enjoys coming up with new designs to add to the property. Not only do visitors get a kick out of the lights, she’s filled with joy whenever she arrives home.
“Every night that we go out for a drive and come in, it just makes me smile; makes me really happy to see all the lights without power, without using any energy whatsoever,” said Debbie.
“We had one neighbour that came over one year… Reid told her it was no electricity. She goes ‘what?’ She came over and touched them. Reid said they’re just reflectors. She said, ‘I wondered why they went out every time I drove in my driveway,’” Debbie recalled, chuckling.
The Swinamers hope their display not only entertains visitors but helps send home the message that you don’t need to use electricity to have a beautiful holiday display.
And the Swinamers don’t just use reflective tape for decorations, they also promote its use as a way to increase visibility for people who are walking or driving. For instance, Reid’s vehicle features reflective strips, and he creates reflective batons with wrist straps for walking.
“You can’t see people on the sides of roads half the time because they’re always dressed darkly,” said Debbie, noting her husband made a baton for a nurse in Halifax who was nearly hit in a crosswalk. She uses it everyday.
Over the holidays, the Swinamers said they hope people will take a trip up Swinamer Drive after the sun goes down to marvel at what a person can create without electricity.
“When you leave, if you pump your brake peddle, all of them flash red,” said Reid, smiling.