The Douglas Shire is set to shine brighter than ever as Raine & Horne Port Douglas/Mossman introduces a true Christmas Lights Competition with locals being invited to illuminate their homes and bring a touch of festive magic to the shire.

The team at the local real estate agency were eager to create an annual event that would bring the local community together.

Co-Owner of Raine & Horne, Jocelyn Schumacher, and sales receptionist, Mia Ferrero, both passionate about Christmas, are the driving forces behind the festive initiative.

Mrs Schumacher, originally from the UK, still passionately embraces the Christmas traditions and celebrations she grew up with. For her, the most enjoyable part of the holiday is the anticipation and the preparations, including tree decorating and adorning the house.

She and Miss Ferrero often discussed how they wished the Douglas Shire looked a little more festive around Christmas time. With that in mind, the idea of a Christmas Lights Competition was born.

Win a $1000 cheque

The competition, as Mrs Schumacher explained, focuses on external house decorations, emphasising that it values creativity and uniqueness.

“The competition is not so much about how many Christmas lights you have but more about how creative people can be with the Christmas lights that are displayed, so we encourage everyone to apply,” Mrs Schumacher said.

Miss Ferrero added: “We’ll be on the lookout for houses that truly stand out. Think of the use of colours, creativity, and originality. It's not about extravagant spending; it's about the arrangement, aesthetics, theme, and the story conveyed.”

Judging is expected to be subjective, with the Raine & Horne Christmas elves having the task of deciding the winner. They will also conduct a drive-by to assess as many entries as possible.

This exciting competition covers areas such as Port Douglas, Mossman, Cooya Beach, Newell Beach, and Wonga Beach.

The grand prize for the winner is a generous $1000 cheque to enhance their Christmas celebrations. Additionally, they will receive a Christmas-themed hamper and a Raine & Horne Monopoly board.

Fostering Christmas spirit

According to both Mrs Schumacher and Miss Ferrero, the competition is a way to give back and bring people closer together, especially in today’s world.

Mrs Schumacher emphasised the importance of communities coming together during Christmas, and Miss Ferrero echoed her sentiment by describing her own cherished experiences of reuniting with loved ones and the anticipation of the holiday season.

“Christmas time should be a time when communities tend to be at their best, reaching out to friends and families to make sure that they have plans at Christmas and that no-one is alone at Christmas,” Mrs Schumacher said.

“We are hoping that by fostering a bit of Christmas spirit around the community, we can see and spread the sense of good will to all and share some positivity and excitement.

“We understand that not everyone is looking forward to Christmas this year, maybe you have fallen on hard times, or you’re away from your family.

“Putting up Christmas lights in the community can create a heartwarming holiday tradition for families. It's a cost-free activity to enjoy with your loved ones, strolling around your neighbourhood, admiring the lights, and perhaps even running into your neighbours for a chat.

“Merry Christmas everyone!”.

Port Douglas / Mossman Blog