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Debbie and Craig Hogan of Millwater have been decorating their home each Christmas, ever since their children (now adults) were young. That includes the outside of the house, and each year the display gets bigger and better.
“It’s such a great time of year – it’s family time,” Debbie says. Last year in lockdown Debbie and the family all got busy and created a model 3D Christmas village, carving pieces out of polystyrene, painting them and adding little buildings and figurines that Debbie had collected over the years.
It helped to have a couple of architects in the family. There is plenty of action – including a model train that chuffs its way across the front of the display – and there are several Santa figures and a Grinch to find. It attracted a lot of attention when it went up last Christmas and this year it has been extended with a carnival scene.
The village takes up the front of the Hogan’s garage and this Christmas, every evening from December 1, it is opened up so that the community can enjoy it.
There is also a life sized sleigh out the front of the house, made by Craig last Christmas so that people could sit in it and take a festive photo – this was because sitting on Santa’s knee was not possible because of Covid-19 restrictions.
This year, people admiring the display can leave a donation for the SPCA. The display is at 6 Arbors Track, Millwater.
Lighting up the Coast – There are more Coasties lighting up their homes at Christmas every year. Here are some to look out for: • Christmas lights and snow machine at Thirty Nine Lights in Clea View, Gulf Harbour, pictured above (lights on 7pm-11pm every night until Christmas) • Waterside Crescent, Gulf Harbour – a row of five townhouses beautifully lit. • Vista Motu in Red Beach. A street full of lights. • Bridal Place, Millwater’s street of lights. • 6 Arbors Track, Millwater.
