More about Christmas in Brisbane
Kim Kimeklis is lovingly called a ‘Christmas Nut' by her husband Russell but her passion for decorating her house and garden with Christmas lights and themed decorations means she has won multiple awards in Brisbane's Christmas lights competition.
For almost 15 years Kim, Russell and their family of five children have thrown themselves into the huge task of bringing Christmas joy to their neighbourhood.
"I love Christmas. We especially enjoy the kids, watching their eyes light up. It's about the enjoyment of other people, them having a nice time and enjoying their Christmas," Kim said.
From simple beginnings with a single string of lights given by Russell's mother, Kim now plans each year's changing display on a large whiteboard in the garage, rotating the displays to create a new look each season.
"I spend about six to eight weeks getting the display ready. From early October I start pulling everything out of our ceiling attic space and choosing pieces from the storage shed.
"Every year I buy more stuff. But I won't put the new decorations out until the following year. I keep adding to the collection."
"Every year we prepare a questionnaire for the kids. I'm a teacher but it was my daughter's idea to do that. It gets the kids interactive and really looking at the displays."
"We've been decorating with Christmas lights for about 15 years now. A decade ago we first entered the competition and I was just ecstatic when we got ‘highly commended'. In 2006 we came 1st for Brisbane Northside and last year we got 3rd place."
"We switch on the lights from 1 December until Christmas Eve and average approximately 300 - 400 people visiting each night."
The Kimeklis' display consists of several themed sections and it takes over every inch of the large front garden. There are pathways, hidden surprises and moving pieces too. You can peek in the window to admire the massive Christmas tree inside the house.
An electrician checks the voltage and load each year to ensure the display is safe. It costs $100 extra for the month to have the lights on as they are mostly low voltage.
An anonymous professional photographer leaves gifts of photos from each year's display.
"I'd love to know who does it! They must do it for the Christmas spirit too..." Kim said.
And Kim's display raises funds for charity. This year, any donations will go to her local scout hall as 2008 is the Year of the Scout.
"We've decided this year is going to be our last year. It's becoming such a huge thing so we'll do it this year and then have a break.
"But I would recommend it to others because it is worth the effort. It really is so enjoyable to see the kids and the adults, the ‘big kids', having fun."
You can explore Kim's amazing display, which takes over her large front yard, at Galaxy Street, Bridgeman Downs from 1st December.
