Tewantin's Leigh Pl lights up for Christmas

Christmas lights bring neighbours together in Leith Pl

CHRISTMAS FUN: Santa (aka Damian Langdon) and Gypsy Russell, 11, at the Leith Place Christmas lights. Picture: Michele Sternberg

CHRISTMAS is a magical time at Tewantin's Leith Pl - and its mostly thanks to Damian Langdon, who has decorated five out of seven houses in the street.

Mr Langdon, who lives at number four, began the tradition of decorating his house with Christmas lights about 10years ago.

"My kids have all grown up but I started doing it for them when they were young," he said.

"People say it's either stupidity or addiction.

"I just love it. I love seeing the looks on the kids' faces.

"Their faces light up."

In the week before Christmas, Mr Langdon dresses up as Santa and hands out candy canes - he's even bought a snow machine this year.

"I don't know how many lights I have. I would have to sit back and count them, there are that many empty boxes in the garage."

Last year, Mr Langdon was away for the holidays and didn't decorate his house.

"I think there were quite a few disappointed people who came around last year. So this year it's the biggest and the best it's ever been."

It took him four weekends and he had to hire a cherry picker. Mr Langdon said everybody loved the lights but it was "a lot of hard work".

"It's a pretty tight little street anyway, but the lights certainly bring everyone together."

Mr Langdon said new tenants moved into one rental property this year so he did the neighbourly thing.

"I went and asked if I can put some lights up at their place and they said 'sure'."

Timers ensure the whole street lights up at 6.30pm.

Originally published as Tewantin's Leigh Pl lights up for Christmas