Kambah grandmother Jo Matthews, 60, says stringing up Christmas lights has always been a bit of a family affair. 

Once decorating the house with her children 30 years ago, her four young grandchildren now experience the magic with her. 

“When my children were young, they used to dress up as elves to give out candy canes to passers by at night,” she says. 

“Now we’ve passed that down to my grandchildren, who do the same.

“It’s an important lesson for them that the season is all about giving, not receiving.”

Jo’s house, at 12 Ammon Place, took more than a month to set up, with preparations beginning in late October. This year she’s spent $3000 on added decorations.

“Fortunately for me, my husband Greg likes to decorate for Christmas too,” says Jo. 

“He designed and built the Ferris wheel, the arches and various pieces throughout the years.” 

When not in use, her decorations are stored in her garage (the car has to be parked on the driveway), garden shed and “anywhere else they can fit”.

This year, Jo says there is music, bubbles, fake snow and “lights galore”… and a very special, very green guest. 

“The Grinch will be visiting on Friday and Saturday nights, from 8pm to 10.30pm and then every night on the week of Christmas,” she says. 

“In the past, the Grinch has even accepted onions from people,” says Jo. 

“He even handed out some, although they weren’t as popular as candy canes!”

Michelle Hogan, whose house is opposite to Jo’s, was inspired by her neighbour four years ago and has since been building up her display to match. 

“It’s now a bit of a fun challenge to see who starts first each year,” she says. 

Michelle’s lights have an ocean and Australian animals theme, with onlookers able to see mermaids, sea life creatures, emus and kangaroos in addition to a grinch display and polar ice rink with penguins. Her display took a similar amount of time to set up.

“Outside of Bunnings, we really don’t have that many options, so I wanted to create something that was really unique,” she says. 

“I had to outsource a lot of my lights.”

While this is the biggest display Michelle has attempted, it will be the last chance to see her lights at such a large scale, as she will be downsizing next year.

“I will still be doing my lights each year,” she says. “But they will be a little smaller.” 

Between Jo and Michelle, their display on Ammon Place in Kambah has earned them a place in several Christmas lights trail guides and recognition within the southside community.

Similar to many display enthusiasts, Jo has had her power box upgraded to cope with the electricity usage during the month.

Inspired by their efforts, many of their neighbours are choosing to join the pair this year with their own displays, with one neighbour saying he will humorously put a light-up “DITTO” sign on his lawn.

“It’s brought us closer,” says Jo. “We all help each other out.”

Michelle’s display will be taken down on Boxing Day, however Jo’s will stay on until New Year’s Eve. 

They expect more than 2000 people to visit the Grinch and see their light displays. 

Christmas lights, 8pm to 10.30pm, Ammon Place, Kambah. 

Michelle is selling many of her large exhibitions (including the ocean displays). She can be reached at michellehogan1601@gmail.com.