Iraqi migrant Terry Haddad and his family have been keeping the Christmas tradition of decorating their Sydney home going for the past 20 years.
“We believe in Christmas. We do all this decoration of the interior and exterior for our family members and neighbours,” he says.
“We love to celebrate this joyful occasion.”
It’s a job that takes months of preparation and around 3 to 4 weeks to set up, but for Terry, it’s all worth it when he sees the happy faces of the Children.
The home, located at Daruga Avenue in the suburb of Pemulwuy, attracts neighbours and visitors alike.
“Neighbours tend to like the lights, they bring their kids, people drive by,” he says.
“They are fascinated, especially the young ones, and for us because we have been doing it for so long, it is just that moment of happiness when you see their reaction on the faces of the kids and young ones, and that give us joy.”
Considered a hobby in the household, Terry and his family begin their preparations as early as August, and when it comes to the cost, he says “money is no object”.
Source: SBS
“What you see is a collection, every year we buy new items. We really don’t put a cost on it to be honest with you.”
He explains that he loves decorating for Christmas because “it is the time of the year where we sort of look back and try to give as much as we can”.
Some pieces in the ornament collection date back more than two decades.
Source: SBS
“It makes us happy and it is a special moment, we only do it a few days throughout the year and then we go back to our routine, but these moments are very special for us, for the family and there is plenty of love and joy, and all the loved ones are nearby, so it's a good celebration, lifts your spirit up.”
As for Terry’s advice, he recommends: “Buy more, and more and more every year.”
He says the more decorations you buy; the more interested you become in decorating.
“Start with simple ornaments and keep adding every year, if you have a particular item sitting in one spot, change its position next year and this makes it look a lot different.
“Sometimes the item will look more interesting that last year.”
