Christmas lights shine

Winston Road children Karen and Naomi
Stonehouse enjoy the beautiful lights
at Ross and Jan Monaghan's home

LIGHTS shone brightly throughout Palmwoods in the lead-up to Christmas as local residents and business got into the festive spirit, with some displays rivalling the best the coastal centres could offer.

Taking the Christmas lights seriously were Allan and Vivian Nelson who lit up Chevallum Road near the Eudlo Road intersection with their usual outstanding display.

Now in their third year of Christmas lighting, the Nelson home was literally aglow with thousands of fairy lights from the smallest shrub to the top of the star on their roof.

And on Winston Road, Ross and Jan Monaghan returned with a vengeance after ill-health prevented them taking part last year.

For five years the Monaghan family have been lighting up their street and each year they have set built up to something bigger and better.

"People come and sit on the grass and just watch the lights," Jan said. "We have carols playing so it's a wonderful time for families and neighbours to get together."

Jan said the light display was her contribution to the community's Christmas spirit.

"If it brings joy to others, and helps people to be in the Christmas spirit then that is the main thing," she said.

The lighting display covers the entire Monaghan home, and a new addition this year was a nativity scene set up in their carport. The Monaghans carefully cut out figures for the display and then placed lighting to maximise the effect. They looked after everything to the finest detail, even having a flock of "sheep" grazing on the lawn beside the scene.

"I sent away to Sydney for the nativity scene, and everyone thinks it looks great,' Jan said. "We estimate that there is about 3000 lights in the display."

The Nelsons and Monaghans both take part in the coast-wide Christmas Lights program but equally importantly, delight many local children and families who make numerous visits to their properties in the lead-up to Christmas. On the business front, the Palmwoods Post Office was a picture with the entire building outlined in lights and figures on the roof to capture the eye of all visitors to Palmwoods.