Why this Sudbury area family goes all out with Christmas decorations

When Elsie St-Onge was growing up in North Bay, she says her family didn't have much, but Christmas was always a memorable time of year.

"All that my parents had in their front window was a 12-inch wreath with one red bulb," she said.

"And I loved it. I'd go outside and stare at it, and that excited me. And I think that was the start of why I wanted to decorate."

St-Onge now lives in the Chelmsford area of Sudbury with her husband Jean-Guy St-Onge, and for around 20 years their Christmas light and decoration displays have become more and more elaborate.

Elsie said it takes them around two weeks to set up all the Christmas lights and displays in their front yard, complete with inflatable snowmen and Santa figures, and all synched to Christmas music.

"It's a lot of work, physical work. But then you hear comments from your neighbours and, oh yeah, we've got to do it again," she said.

One comment that stood out this year, she said, was from a man in his 30s who said he enjoys viewing the St-Onge light display when he's having his own difficulties.

"He says, 'When I'm having a hard time and I need some cheering up, I come park my car in front of your place and listen to the music and watch the lights,'" Elsie said.

Another neighbour recommended the couple enter the local Lights On Home Decorating Challenge, staged by two community groups, and this year, they ended up coming in first place.

"People like it," said Jean-Guy St-Onge.

"Every year I say I'm not going to do it anymore then one person comments, and we're doing it again. This year we actually said we would cut it back, but we put more out."

First prize in the Lights On challenge was $1,000.