Christmas decorating is pretty serious stuff for some St. Albert residents. Just ask Katheryn and Joe Huisintveld.
The Dorchester Drive couple came in as second-place house winners of the inaugural St. Albert Festive Spirit, a competition sponsored by St. Albert Kinsmen designed to encourage homeowners to spread holiday cheer through elaborate or joyful light displays.
“We wanted to bring joy to people. We’ve been doing it for seven years. This was not the greatest year for some people and we hope to generate some smiles,” said Katheryn.
Hundreds of lights are strung outside the house and 120 vintage Christmas blow molds add the right touch of 1950s nostalgia to their front yard.
“We’re collectors. We enjoy collecting them. We have snowmen, a gingerbread house, Santa Claus, candy canes, Snoopy, Mickey, Minnie and Pooh Bear. Our standing joke is look for the glow and you’ll find the glow.”
Coincidentally, for winning second place in the competition, the couple is giving back their $250 win to St. Albert Kinsmen.
While the Huisintvelds are veteran Christmas decorators, Lindsey Gullett of 29 Naples Way became the first-place recipient on his initial try.
He had spare time on his hands and decided to spruce up the front of the house as the North Pole built from PVC pipes. While extraordinarily creative, the real showstoppers are 1,850 pixel lights dancing to synchronized music piped in from 99.7 FM Radio.
“We’ve had lots of positive feedback. To tell the truth, our expectations were pretty low. And anything is great,” said Gullett. “Traffic outside is picking up more and more. If it brings joy to people, then that’s wonderful.”
Gullett, who has a soft spot for animals, splits his $500 win with the Edmonton Humane Society.
In addition to selecting two house winners, the Kinsmen acknowledged the hard work community-minded neighbours perform in decorating an entire street.
Nadia Place and Noble Park scooped up the first-place prize for a street and will donate their entire $1,000 win to Stop Abuse in Families (SAIF).
Lisa Holmes, who organized the decorating for that street, sent an email to the Kinsmen stating the whole idea started when her son, Zach, 13, mulled over the idea of decorating the back yard. This small idea blossomed into a neighbourhood plan and eventually a fundraiser for SAIF.
“The park is really magical. All the neighbours participated and even decorated trees outside their property in the park. There is music, lights, photo cutouts for children and even a live stream to see Santa at the North Pole,” wrote Holmes.
Second-place street winner was Elliot Place, recognized for 15 years as St. Albert’s Candy Cane Lane. Organizer Jackie Selles recommends walking instead of driving through the street.
“It’s just magical. It’s been awesome. Except for one week, we’ve had really good weather,” said Selles.
Lighted archways gracefully draped over the crescent sidewalk make the street a one-of-a-kind. But it’s a drop-off box collecting food for St. Albert Food Bank that gives Selles joy.
“Last weekend, we collected 525 pounds of food and we also take cash donations. As of last Monday, we collected $1,230.”
In addition, Elliot Place residents are donating their $750 prize win to the food bank.
“What’s so cool is so many families with preschoolers or people out for a walk are stopping by. Honestly I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many dogs.”
