The faces behind SEQ’s best Christmas lights
From a man who defied death, a Bluey-inspired Christmas fan and a cheerful police officer — these are the incredible people behind the some of the southeast’s most endearing light displays. FULL LIST
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Christmas lights — they are part of the festive traditions for many a southeast Queensland family; their stunning colours, impressive size and sheer creativity can often bring a smile to the face of even the Grinchiest spectator.
But what’s even more heartwarming is the stories — the people — behind the shimmering shows that draw crowds throughout December.
From a man who escaped death, to a police officer who turned his beat into a Christmas wonderland, we have complied a jolly list of 20 Christmas enthusiasts and why they put so much money, time and effort into the silly season.
Their Christmas marvels include 5m Santas, Bluey characters, homemade decorations and family heirlooms — and now this dedicated list of people have shared the heartwarming, shocking and even funny reasons they put on a show every year.
Brendan Bratt, Logan
119-121 Myrtle Rd, Jimboomba
Brendan Bratt said his love for the Australian television show Bluey has inspired his festive season.
Setting up thousand of dollars-worth of Christmas lights, Mr Bratt even has Bluey themed music playing to his fantastic display.
“I’ve got the theme to Bluey playing and the kids go absolutely ape sh*t when they see Bluey go off,” Mr Bratt said.
“I do like the show.
“I’ve watched it a couple times and it’s funny, it’s great.
“It’s an Australia/Queensland show as well which is fantastic.”
Mr Bratt said he started decorating at the start of November, prepping for the crazy season.
“We like to do it because it’s a lot of fun and brings a lot of people out,” he said.
“This is my vice, I don’t drink, don’t smoke, this is what I do.”
Mr Bratt said his 92-year-old mum loved every second of watching the impressive display.
“I’m a full-time carer for my mum,” he said.
“I get her out to check the lights, she likes the lights.”
Darren Hickmott and Matt Freeman, Moreton Bay
10 Boobook Court, Narangba
Giant bells in the tree, 6,000 lights on the roof and a Winter Wonderland of Christmas trees feature in Darren and Matt Freeman’s display on BooBook Court.
The couple is three years into doing lights at their home and the display gets bigger every year as they join their neighbours at number 12, who also have a wonderful lights display.
“We love to see people enjoy Christmas as well, we like to do it for the street,” Mr Hickmott said.
“We have a lot of people that have moved here as well and just the amount of kids that come down and get excited when they see something, and the look on their faces, that’s what it’s all about.
“Some people have a rough year and just to come down here, it just puts a smile on their face.
“It does get quite busy.
“When the buses start coming and the traffic gets blocked up it creates a bit of mayhem.”
Santa also makes an appearance on weekend evenings and those closer to December 25.
Matt and Tegan, Logan
85 Manning St, Jimboomba
Partners Matt and Tegen put up Christmas decorations every year, without fail, for the joy it sparks in his children.
“We do it every year for the kids,” Matt said.
“They love it, and my eldest helps out with it now.”
Matt said he and his family had been building their decoration collection for years and looked forward to the one time of the year he can bring it all out.
“Each year something gets added to the collection,” he said.
“I just enjoy watching the smiles on the kids faces, the way they light up.”
Cassandra and Samuel Nilson, Logan
109 Buxton Ave, Yarrabilba
The Nilson family have put in more than $1000 into their fantastic display this year alone.
Casandra Nilson said she and her family started the collection more than 10 years ago and the collection kept growing.
“We love doing it every year, without fail,” Ms Nilson said.
“It is a bit of an addiction.
“We just keeping adding to it, we can’t stop.
“We’ve spent nearly $1000 on decorations think this year.”
Ms Nilson said her husband, Samuel, had a knack for decorating and had even handmade some of the decorations himself.
“My husband built the Santa chair and all the kids come take photos in it,” she said.
“My husband is very dedicated.”
She said, like everyone, the family look forward to enjoying their own festivities and traditions each year.
“We have Christmas parties every year,” Ms Nilson said.
“It’s a happy time of the year for us.”
Senior Constable Mitch Collins, Logan
Police Beat, 11 Loane Dr, Edens Landing
Senior Constable Mitch Collins said he liked to pick up the Santa hat every once in a while, while working at the Police Beat in Edens Landing — starting building pieces of his decorations as early as Easter.
“The most simple reason that I do my light display, is for the community to enjoy and have a positive magical Christmas,” Senior Constable Collins said.
“From the little children giggling and loving it, to the parents revealing their inner child, I enjoy how much they enjoy them.
“As a Christmas lover, I enjoy getting creative with my displays, including this year getting on board the ‘Ginger Bread Cubby House’ bandwagon, repurposing old kids’ play cubby houses into gingerbread houses.”
Senior Constable Collins said he started building segments of the decoration around Easter time, and set up in August, ready to switch everything on from the first day of November.
“I start them early, because for one, after putting all the effort in that I do, I like to enjoy it for more than just one month, and I like others to enjoy it for that bit longer,” he said.
“Christmas time is incredibly busy, and people tend to travel and plan many gatherings, so I like to allow some extra time for the locals to enjoy.”
Robert and Sheree Hobson, Logan
11 Lucy Drive, Edens Landing
Robert and Sheree Hobson said the peace and joy they could bring to some families at Christmas time with their display made it all the more worth it.
“We do it to put the Christmas story of Jesus’s birth out there and to give the message of peace and joy,” Mr Hobson said.
Mr Hobson said over the years they had heard many stories and seen the happiness they could give to the community.
“We’ve had a bloke bring his grandchildren to the display one year, they’d lost their parents a couple of weeks before Christmas,” he said.
“He was really happy that they took in the display and felt some peace around that time.
“It could never replace their parents, but it could give them some needed peace.
“They had a really good time.”
Mr Hobson underwent a triple bypass surgery in 2014, but has since been back in the Christmas game.
“That was in 2014, we did give nearly everything of our Christmas decorations away then because we didn't think we’d be able to do it again,” he said.
Mr Hobson entered as part of KIIS 973’s KIISmas Lights Competition.
Displays can be viewed nightly until 10pm all the way through to Christmas Eve.
Neighbours, Trevor Funnell and Adrian Simpson, Redlands
Bunker Road, Victoria Point
Neighbours, Trevor Funnel and Adrian Simpson have put their heads and creativity together to create what they call a ‘Bunker Christmas’.
The pair began building their impressive display that stretches over two properties back in June.
“I’ve always done Christmas lights,” Mr Simpson said.
“We don’t do it for the rewards or prizes.
“We do it because we love coming out on the front lawn and watching everyone enjoy the lights.”
Mr Simpson said that he had a horrifying accident that made him reconsider his life.
“I was in a car accident actually, 80km down Mt Cotton Rd into a big tree, it change my life,” he said.
“I’m lucky to be alive.
“The reason I’m alive is because I passed out from a breathing issue and so I survived.”
Mr Simpson spent his recovery time and the following years investing effort into incredible Christmas light formations.
“I was watching heaps of videos on YouTube and electronics and was so interested,” he said.
“We’ve got moving heads, and up to a 35, triple-0 pixels on the roof.
“We dress up as Santa Claus and the Grinch come every Friday and Saturday night.
“On the weekend we had kids lining up to see us.
“It really is a fantastic time.”
Judi Quinn, Redlands
20 Davenport Street, Thornlands
According to Judi Quinn, Christmas time is a time to get the husband to do all the work.
Stocking decorations over the years and buying the occasional new set of decor, Ms Quinn said her husband was the true star of the show.
“I just buy all the decorations and make him put it up,” Ms Quinn said.
“You know what men are like — he'll never admit it, but he loves it.”
Ms Quin said she and her husband did it all for the grandchildren and for the smiles they get on their faces when they see the spectacular display.
“We've been doing it for years.
“The kids they love it so much.”
Dean Ainsworth, Redlands
16 Kestrel Ct, Victoria Point
Dean Ainsworth is a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to his Christmas light display.
“The kids don't help, I do it all myself,” Mr Ainsworth said.
“I'm a bit of a stickler, I’m an artist.
“I like having everything a certain way.
“I look for what's wrong with it, what I need to add or take away and then change it.”
Despite his perfectionist ways, Mr Ainsworth’s children still think he’s Father of the Year.
“I enjoy putting it up for the kids,” he said.
“It’s all for them, they love it”
Year after year without fail, Mr Ainsworth manages to pull off a fantastic display that attracts the entire community.
“With the cost of living at the moment, I couldn't afford to go buy many more decorations,” he said.
“You just look forward to doing it every year, it's a tradition I’ve built for myself.”
Jamie Crust, Redlands
22 Davenport Street, Thornlands
Jamie Crust gives the name ‘Father Christmas’ a whole different meaning, designating himself the decorator for the season.”
“It's pretty much just me that puts them up,” Mr Crust said.
“It's a lot of work, but it’s definitely worth it.”
Although a huge Christmas enthusiast himself, Mr Crust said he did it all for his little ones.
“We put them up for the kids,” he said.
“They get so happy when they see them up.”
He said he loves having the whole neighbourhood join in on the Christmas cheer.
“Every round the street does it, it’s great,” Mr Crust said.
“A lot of people around the neighbourhood come around and get involved.”
Kellianne and Neil Pigg, Moreton Bay
3 Allyra Drive, Morayfield
Kellianne Pigg said she had a hard time putting her three-year-old to bed after setting up her fantastic display.
“She wants to go outside all of the time,” Ms Pigg said.
“We have a hard time getting her to bed.”
This year Ms Pigg and her family decided to go all out and put up a snow machine.
A mistake they didn’t know they had made until their three-year-old discovered it.
“We tested it and that was it, she didn’t want to go inside after that.”
Ms Pigg said her family didn't think about the money behind it, as the smiles they received were payment enough.
“We don’t spend so much money on lights for us to not to put them up,” she said.
The Buck family, Moreton Bay
6 Crawford street, Caboolture
The Buck family says their Christmas decorations represent the history of their family.
“Each part is dedicated to someone,” Deanne Buck said.
“Snooker hall is dedicated to my dad, Denis Mole, who played snooker, the coffee shop is dedicated to my mum who loved coffee.”
“There’s a lot of thought into it.
“A lot of displays are handmade or really old.
“Every part has a story, it represents the past, present and the future.
“Our kids have made a Grinch decoration, and in years to come they will now be a part of our family’s history of decorations.”
Ms Buck said Christmas is a way to honour her family memory.
“My father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he used to do the lights when we were little,” Ms Buck said.
“The Christmas tree cutouts you can see in the front yard are what I made with my dad.
“It’s their memory and we put it up as a way for my kids to know.
“It’s my way for my family to come home.”
Ms Buck said she took her father's health diagnosis hard.
“He comes around to our place and looks at the lights,” she said.
“It’s a tough, but beautiful time for us.”
Her son, Harry Buck was diagnosed with autism and is hearing-impaired, but he does not let that stop his Christmas cheer.
“He’s very excited for Christmas, he was counting down in November,” Ms Buck said.
“My husband also dresses up as Santa every night.”
Sue Stephens, Moreton Bay
6 Bendee court, Narangba
Sue Stephens said each year she made hundreds of handmade decorations just to see the child come out in adults everywhere.
“I’m trying to do Christmas lights so when adults see it they get that childhood vision,” Ms Stephens said.
“To bring back that magical feel to people and especially when you get to see the kids eyes light up.”
Ms Stephens said adults often have too many worries and Christmas should be a break from that.
“When you’re older life takes over, so I’m hoping that it puts that spirit back in adults,” she said.
“You’re staring at something that’s bright and colourful and you forget about everything else going around you.”
Last year she Ms Stephens handed out over 5000 candy canes to the community.
“I love doing it,” she said.
All year Ms Stephens spends her downtime making decorations in time for Christmas.
“I make a lot of the cupcakes and doughnuts that go in the bakery house decoration,” she said.
“We’ve made things out of paper mache.
“We made a kids cubby house into a Santa’s workshop.
“It’s my de-stress time, my down time, and it makes me feel happy.”
Melissa and Andrew Knipe, Moreton Bay
6 Bendee Court, Narangba
Melissa and Andrew Knipe said the joy they saw on the faces of children and adults alike made their combined effort so much more worth it.
“Christmas has always been my favourite time of the year and growing up I loved driving around looking at all the Christmas light displays and still do,” Melissa Knipe said.
They said they started their collection of Christmas decoration in 2019.
“We started off with a humble little light display, with only a couple of lights across the veranda and it just grew from there,” Ms Knipe said.
“It's also lovely to see more and more neighbours joining in too.
“I love that it brings joy and happiness to our community.”
Paul and Dianne Flanagan, Moreton Bay
9 Hinchinbrook Street, Morayfield
Mr Flanagan said Clark Griswold’s Christmas vacation movie started his motivation for Christmas lights a number of years ago.
After doing Christmas lights for many years at his Murrumba Downs home, Mr Flanagan has put up his first set at his Morayfield home, including a model Christmas village inside.
Made up of 15,000-16,000 lights, his display has started motivating others in his street to get into the Christmas spirit and put up lights.
“It’s a close community in this street and last night a number of cars came through,” Mr Flanagan said.
“I don’t do a Father Christmas style display, I do more of an Australian Christian display.
“We’ve gotten to know other people in the area … a good way of connection.
“Sometimes I curse when I’m doing it especially when you plug everything in and see it’s not working like Griswold.
“It’s the joy of the small children and the mums and dads who get a buzz out of it.”
Sharyn and Scott Wildes, Moreton Bay
12 Bendee Court, Narangba
Sharyn and Scott Wildes have been working on their Christmas lights craft for 10 years on Bendee Court, with Mrs Wilds joking that it’s a requirement when signing a house contract on the notorious Christmas lights street.
The Grinch giant display is the star of their show as they’ve restarted and rejuvenated their display from last year.
The Wilds also built their own archway which is the home of Mr and Mrs Claus and they’re plans to build a large display over the driveway next year.
“It gets flooded with people on this street,” Mrs Wilds said.
“There’s no moving some nights, especially the last two weeks before Christmas.
“We had little kids when we moved here and they thought everybody else’s house was awesome so of course we started to do our own.
“You see the kids and even the adults love it and come up the street so happy.”
Doris Schouten, Logan
2 Lauremeg Place, Logan Village
Doris Schouten and her husband have taken “Reuse, Reduce, Recycle” to another level.
Recycling thrown-out Christmas trees, they have turned their front yard into an enchanted garden.
“We actually recycle some of the decorations that are thrown out by people,” Ms Schouten said.
“We’ve got so many old Christmas trees from my Husband’s skip bins from work.
“So many people just throw them out and there’s nothing wrong with the trees.”
Ms Schouten also used tomato stakes to hold up her lights and ornaments, finding inventive ways to set up some incredible decorations.
“I just add more to the collection each year,” she said.
She said she picks up new decoration each year, growing the collection for decades.
“I love Christmas and I love things that are sparkly and colourful.”
Jeroen ‘Jay’ Schouten, Moreton Bay
83 Jinibara Crescent, Narangba
‘Jay’ Schouten describes his set up of 2,000 LED lights synchronised to music as a ‘private disco’ for his daughters to enjoy.
Synchronised on a rotation of at least 30 songs, the lights can be changed to any colour with a click or two.
A product manager with a background with IT, Jay used to have a much larger display at lights at his bigger property in New South Wales.
To put the display together takes about a weekend but the programming, cabling, designing and music synchronisation is year-round work.
“One year I saw this display in the United States of a guy who had hundreds of thousands of lights going to music and I thought I can do this,” Mr Schouten said.
“How hard can this be?
“It is hard, it is fairly complicated.
“I’m just nuts for Christmas lights, Christmas and my kids are really why I do it.
“My daughters come out every night have a little dance, sit around and when their friends are over it’s fun.”
VOTE FOR SEQ’S BEST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Sheree and Trevor Jorgensen, Moreton Bay
9 Kimberley Drive, Burpengary
Following the orders made up of lighthearted banter and love from his wife, Sheree Jorgensen, Trevor has put together a marvellous display, featuring a self-made Santa sleigh and a snow machine which are big hits with little ones.
Now in their second year of lights displays, the pair originally started doing it for their own children but saw how much the other local children loved it and have made it bigger and better.
“I made my husband build a sleigh which we love and the kids love taking photos on it,” Mrs Jorgensen said.
“The snow machine, the kids love that.
“They do snow angels in the front yard and they run through it.
“We came home last night and there was probably 10 families running through the snow.
“It was packed and we haven’t seen it that busy.
“I think this year is busier then it was last year, I’m not sure why but it’s good because we hand out candy canes.”
Next year they will move away from inflatables due to how easily they get damaged under rain or winds, as Trevor keeps a keen eye out for a new attraction.
Beck and Rory Brown, Logan
44-48 Pioneer Drive, Logan Village
Beck and Rory Brown have already had an incredible online response to their sensational Christmas set up, involving a 5m Santa Claus and four boats.
“Some random person put our house on the Yarrabilba Facebook page, thanking us for our display,” Ms Brown said.
“There was something like 115 people commenting on the post.
“A lot of people said they drive past and our house makes them smile.
“It’s just a fantastic feeling.”
Ms Brown said she and her husband have more than 27 inflatables set up, some ranging from $25 to $600 each.
“We do it because no matter what kind of day you’re having you can drive past and smile,” she said.
“It’s all about making people smile, making people feel good.”
“We’re known for it.”
The pair has spent thousands of dollars over the year but have said every dollar spent is worth it.
“It’s about wow what can we do next?”
“It’s an artwork that’s never finished.”
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