Winter wonderland: ‘Grinch’ transforms Brisbane yard into Christmas snowscape

After spending more than $50,000 on Christmas lights, one family has transformed their yard into a snowy wonderland, complete with the Grinch and a memorial tree.

Andy Parsons is vicariously living his childhood through decorating his home for the festive season on 1 Paul Tulley Avenue in Collingwood Park.

With over four-and-a-half kilometres worth of lights the house has become one of the most popular in the Ipswich area.

Along with his wife Katelyn Duncan and their kids Theodore, Georgia and Arthur, Mr Parsons said he felt like a little kid starting this display.

“I love seeing the joy and being involved with the community, it’s been worth it every time over the last three years,” he said.

Children can dance for hours under the “snow”. Picture: Danica Clayton

Covering the house and lawn with Christmas lights and decor is no cheap job, however Mr Parsons said they try to up-cycle as much as they can.

“There’s a lot of stuff people go to throw out that is solar, I’ll then rewire it and make it mains powered.

“I would say 75 per cent of our lights are second-hand.”

Mr Parsons said all together they have spent $50,000 over the three years they had been doing the lights, but thanks to upcycling, it could have been much more.

1 Paul Tulley Avenue features over four-and-a-half kilometres of lights. Picture: Danica Clayton

This year the family have gone even bigger, incorporating two snow machines, bauble arts, a photo opportunity as a reindeer and even more lights.

“Every year we just want to get bigger and better,” Mr Parsons said.

However, what might be more special this year is the community tree the family have set up along the main road.

Mr Parsons said the tree was created after a close family friend passed away last year in a tragic accident.

The memorial tree was created to honour those that have passed. Picture: Danica Clayton

“The memorial tree really stemmed from Ricky and how hard it is for families over Christmas.

“It shows that everyone is going through something … if someone can look at the tree and say I’m not alone, then that’s what it’s all about,” he said.

Residents in the surrounding communities can write to the family or personally journey to the home to put up a bauble with a message and name of a loved one that has passed.

There are currently over 120 names on the tree.

The family were also recently awarded people’s choice best street and runner-up residential in the Ipswich Christmas Light Competition.

Mr Parsons said he continues to put on the lights every year to live out his childhood through his own kids and to bring smiles to the community’s faces.

“I had a really rough upbringing and I didn’t really get to celebrate Christmas,” he said.

After just a few minutes at the display children were covered in “snow”. Picture: Danica Clayton

“I want to give my kids everything I possibly can, as well as bringing back the Christmas spirit, to keep witnessing everyone walk in and get the biggest smiles on their face.”

Paul Tulley Avenue receives thousands of visitors each year, with Saturday’s being their biggest day of the week.

“We have been receiving well over 1,000 people on the weekend in November, so we are forecasting for well over 1,000 people almost every night of December.”

Paul Tulley Avenue’s Grinch encourages everyone to take home an onion. Picture: Danica Clayton

Mr Parson also brings out the Grinch mascot on the weekends which is a huge crowd-pleaser and he’s even had some ‘impostor’ Grinches come visit the lights.

2024 is looking bigger and brighter than last year for the home on Paul Tulley Avenue with planning already in the works for next year.

“We’re going to go even bigger, we want to incorporate more of the community including doing a sensory night for children with autism, that way we can really include all parts of the community, that’s what it’s all about,” he said.