YOU JUST HAVE TO WALK PAST PAUL AND GLENDA LARSEN’S HOME AT GEMLIFE PACIFIC PARADISE DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER TO KNOW WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO THEM. THEIR PLACE IS LIT UP WITH PRETTY LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS THAT UNIQUELY CAPTURE THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON.
“We just love Christmas, and we like to spread the cheer around to our family, friends and neighbours,” said Glenda.
Married for 54 years, the couple have two children and four grandchildren and always put time and effort into decorating their home and making Christmas a joyous occasion for everyone.
While living in the Brisbane suburb of Carindale for 20 years, the Larsens would organise a street party for all the residents who lived in their cul-de-sac.
“There were about 20 homes and Paul would dress as Santa,” said Glenda. “The parents would all donate presents for the kids and Paul would hand them out. Christmas was a great excuse to get together with family and friends. We would all have such a wonderful time.”
Once they retired to GemLife Pacific Paradise two-and-a-half years ago, Paul wasn’t able to put up the usual rooftop decorations which included lights, Christmas signs and a Santa, but they more than made up for that with the decorations inside and on the home’s windows.
“We have no shortage of decorations inside and have built up quite a collection of everything from a nutcracker Santa in a sleigh, music box that plays carols and a brightly decorated Christmas tree with an angel on top to a Santa sitting at his desk writing his naughty and nice list.”
The couple also have a collection of books about reindeer and their names, and another called Dear Santa which features letters written to Santa by top Australian personalities such as Shannon Knowles, Missy Higgins and Grant Denyer.
Glenda said that decorating the home, taking items out of boxes and setting them up for Christmas, can take up to five days.
“All of our decorations are traditional and most of them we have had for over 30 years,” she said.
Glenda and Paul believe Christmas is a special time for everyone.
“We like to do our bit and nurture the Christmas spirit in every way we can.”