If you would like a burst of Christmas joy in your life, pop down the road to Hinds and check out the Christmas decorations in the windows of Lyndsey and Ron Edwardshouse.
Lyndsey loves to spread Christmas cheer and thinks kids should understand it can be done without spending a lot of money.
‘‘They can do decorations cheap, they can buy dolls and teddies, buy a Christmas hat from the $2 shop,’’ Lyndseysaid.
All her decorations are bought at little cost with the biggest purchase being a $100 Christmas tree from Ballantynes.
Lyndsey has been collecting and displaying Christmas decorations since she was 10 years old, when her mother bought her a small tinsel tree which she still owns, along withan angel she got when she was 13.
She and husband Ron have got into the Christmas spirit every year in their various homes in Christchurch, Oamaru and now Hinds where they have been for the past seven years.
The windows of their home are filled with Christmas themed delights including Santa’s, reindeers, teddies and snow that all combine to create a burst of festive colour as you approach the house.
The couple not only spread joy they have also raised a whopping $6000 for the Salvation Army when they had a donation box outside their Christmas grotto in Oamaru.
Lyndsey was preparing for a rest this year and had decided not to put up decorations, but after being asked by the local Tiny Tots creche she chose to do it again for the children.
‘‘Over the last three years they have come to the house to have a look, we used to have carols and do a lot of things for the children,’’ she said.
It takes Lyndsey three and a half weeks to decorate her home with hundreds of decorations collected over her lifetime.
Having a life-long passion for Christmas is fitting as Lyndsey married Ron who is – keep it to yourself – Santa Claus himself.
Over the years Ron has put on his Santa suit to entertain the kids in Christchurch and Oamaru, and more recently at Hinds Church and IDEA Services.
The public is welcome to view the house at 11 Delamaine Street, Hinds between 4pm and 8pm on December 1 to 6 and December 12 to 16.
If you would like to meet Santa when you visit give Lyndsey a call on 022 540 5374.
