IT IS that time of the year when front lawns become the set of nativity scenes, rooftops welcome reindeer and garages transform into Santa’s workshops.
Nothing says ‘‘Merry Christmas’’ quite like the glow of dazzling decorations and Christmas lights that sparkle in the night.
Each year, hundreds of families drive or walk along suburban streets looking for the best Christmas displays.
Sutherland Shire has some of the best and it’s all about adopting the Christmas spirit, says Jim Panas, of Sylvania.
Mr Panas, 71, puts up about 100 sets of lights each year to the delight of many children in the area.
‘‘I do it for the kids, to make them happy,’’ he said.
‘‘I live near a school and it’s good to see all the kids come and have a look at
the lights.’’
Mr Panas said it took about two weeks to get all the decorations and lights properly set up.
‘‘I make sure they’re ready on December 1,’’ he said.
‘‘It took me about 16 days to put them up this year. I’m getting a bit slower in my old age.’’
Other Christmas lights in the shire:
Snowden Avenue, Sylvania
Kanangur Avenue, Gymea
Burraneer Bay Road, Caringbah
Berry Grove, Menai
Oyster Bay Road, Oyster Bay
Mokera Avenue, Kirrawee.
ST GEORGE
HE HAS almost as many Christmas lights as Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, but John Kovacevic, of Hodge Street, Hurstville, doesn’t decorate his house to be the best in the street.
Instead, Mr Kovacevic, 42, spends almost two months putting up 100,000 light bulbs to see the smiles of children and to raise money for sick children.
‘‘It’s the joy that I get from seeing the kids and even the adults,’’ he said.
‘‘Everyone can’t believe how big the display is. All the kids are so happy.’’
Every night in December Mr Kovacevic, his wife, Sheryne, and their two children Luka, 5, and Tomislav, 2, watch as up to 500 people come to see the Christmas spectacle known as one of Sydney’s best.
‘‘Sometimes we have buses of people pull in to have a look,’’ he said.
‘‘I started 18 years ago and it has grown from there.’’
Mr Kovacevic estimates he has spent a total of about $50,000 on decorations and lights but it had been worth it.
‘‘We collect money for the Joshua Holland Leukaemia Fund, which is run at the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick,’’ he said.
‘‘If we can help the kids and to get them to see another Christmas that would be wonderful.
‘‘It’s just so sad and such a scary time for parents.’’
Mr Kovacevic turns on the lights from 8pm to 11pm.
Other Christmas lights in St George
Karne Street, Roselands
Patrick Street, Hurstville
Griffiths Street, Sans Souci
MAKE-A WISH
CHRISTMAS cheer is contagious at Allambie Avenue in Caringbah South, where every year the quiet cul-de-sac is transformed to "Candy Cane Lane".
This year residents are spreading the joy of Christmas to raise funds for seriously ill children through the Make-A-Wish wishing well.
The money donated in the wishing well goes towards granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
John Bestel, a volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Southern Sydney branch, said the donations were vital.
"Demand has increased from 400 children to 800 children this year alone," Mr Bestel said.
"There are 512 children waiting for their wishes to be granted."
Among these is a trip to the Gold Coast for a young girl who wants to visit the theme parks with her family, and a trip to the snow for another seriously ill child.
Donations to Make-A-Wish can help these dreams come true.
The residents of Allambie Avenue responded to an advertisement in the the Leader looking for a host for this year's wishing well.
The street is a landmark for Christmas lights viewing in Sutherland Shire, and almost all of the 25 houses are decked out in bright festive decorations every year.
The wishing well has now been placed outside the home of Greg and Fiona Young.
"Hopefully the joy and the wonderful feeling we spread around at Christmas will encourage people to donate to these children who really deserve a wish," Mr Young said.
"It all started with just a few lights but the cheer and goodwill it brings small children and their families, and the joy it brings, makes it a beautiful and contagious atmosphere."
Details: http://makeawish.org.au/
Where are the best Christmas lights this year?