General

Letters

Why Do We Do This?

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Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 1:05 PM
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Subject: no subject

I would like to take this time to thank you for all your hard work and dedication to bring the Christmas spirit to us this and many holiday seasons! I have never had the chance to personally meet you, (or your understanding wife!) but I would like you to know that you have made a difference in my children's life. Growing up, Christmas meant a reason for my dad to get drunk, grab his rifle, and tell us kids that we will be eating reindeer for Christmas dinner... (I can laugh about it now, but it was very upsetting as a kid) I grew up, and as many abused kids do, married someone who was like my father. Luckily, I had the resources and the smarts to get out of that relationship. Now I try and show my children that there is more to life than what we had. This includes a trip to Timmy's for hot chocolate, and a drive around to see the amazing lights that people put up. This has become one of our favorite traditions, and we look forward to seeing it again! Again, thank you so much for the effort you put into making other peoples lives that much brighter!

Sandra

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Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 6:25 AM
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Subject: no subject

I would like to share a story with you which you may also share with everyone if you wish.

I was the last of 5 children, born to parents getting a little up in childbearing years. My family, although financially secure was not a close family because our parents fought all the time, my father loved to gamble more than anything, and he was also a workaholic so we never saw him. Myself being the youngest, got the bunt of most of my parents unhappiness and anger towards each other. We weren't a family that did anything together or had traditions or anything like that.
But, when Christmas came around, my father was like a little kid in a candy store. He would get this gleam in him eye and a smile on his face that no one saw very often, and I remember that every Christmas he would load me and my mother into the car and drive around our neighborhood to see all the houses decorated in beautiful lights and statues.
We even had a park downtown called Centennial Park in Nashville, TN. Back then it was filled with lit statues of Mangers and Angels and everything you could imagine, as well as lighting up 10 city blocks. My Dad would drive us through there on occasion, until some teenagers went inside with baseball bats and ruined everything. I remember hearing the news about that incident, and I remember my Father's eyes getting a little puddle inside them. So through all my Father's outer tough shell, he really was human, and he really loved Christmas, the brighter the better.
So, you see why I love Christmas lights so much. And believe me I have seen some displays in my 44 yrs, and I think yours was done with a lot of effort and heart. It is beautiful, so please pass this letter on to anyone who thinks you are crazy, because what you do means so much to someone.
Thank you for getting back to me on the arches. I am working on them just as soon as I get off the computer. And Thank you again for the beauty you have given to such a special time of year.

Melanie Shivers
Alpharetta, GA

Are there things you don't like?

We like to keep the display hand made, and things other people generally don't do. There's a lot of unique things you can do with a welder, some lumber, a pile of scrap metal, and a few boxes of lights.

How do you decide what you are going to do each year?

Most of the decisions are based on what we did last year, and what worked. The decision to computerize was an obvious one. We have so many ideas for next year, from webcams to the real Santa in a full size sleigh in the garage for photos. Finances play a big role too, as some of this stuff isn't cheap.

How many people see this each year?

We estimated about 30,000 - 40,000 people visit us each year.

How many years has this been going on?

2011 was our 10th year.

Do you raise money for anyone?

2005 was the first year we did. We had so many people in the past ask us what our charity is because they want to give us money...I figure we're doing this anyways, why not let somebody benefit. As of October 2010, we have raised over $22,000.

Why do you do it?

Our reasons have changed over the years. The reason for the computer controls was just to prove to myself that I could. The overall reason though, is just to watch the kids watch the lights.

What do the neighbors think?

All in all we get a pretty good response from everyone. Most people think we're nuts, but I think they're glad we live in their neighborhood.

Where do you store it, and how much room does it take up?

I don't have the room here for it all. The fence we store in the shed, but the rest goes to the crawl space at my parents house. The lights, garland and extension cords spool up on 28 cable reels and are shrink wrapped. Everything else goes in boxes or tubs. It all takes up an area about 20' X 20' X 3', and takes several truck loads to deliver.

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