A festive family in Kesgrave has been spreading the Christmas cheer early this year, having already illuminated its front garden and put up the tree.
Vikki and Lawrence Bugeja, of Quantrill Terrace, Kesgrave, set up the outside decorations over days last week, before children Jazmin, nine, and seven-year-old Freya joined in to decorate the tree on Thursday evening.
And while some people have decried it as too early to be hanging the stockings and hanging the paper chains, for the family it is all about sharing the goodwill and making the most of the family’s time together.
“It makes us all feel happy, and a lot of the year we don’t get to do family things so as it draws closer it brings us a lot of joy,” Vikki, 31, said.
“The kids love it, they run from school just to stand outside and stare at it.”
With Vikki working for a utility firm, and 29-year-old husband Lawrence working as a chef, the family often do not get to spend Christmas Day together, and with other family members fighting illnesses – including Lawrence’s sister being treated for cancer – celebrating Christmas from November helps the family remain positive.
“We make a big thing in the run up because Christmas Day we are not always together. This makes the week better and gives the kids something to look forward to.
“There is a lot of sadness at this time of the year, and this is our little family at home going to do it regardless of what people think.”
And with the house on the school route it has been attracting lots of attention from delighted parents and youngsters alike.
One homeowner commenting on the family’s Facebook picture, said: “The season of goodwill. Nothing wrong with spreading a bit of festive cheer. More smiles and less moans for the festive season would be rather lovely,” while another parent said: “If it’s the house I think it is my little boy has been looking for your father Xmas since July - he is very happy now.”
Another added: “This is about a family doing something special to them with their children. Yes, Christmas can be commercialised but this is a family that is doing something that makes them happy and bringing them together and are sharing that happiness with others. When you think of all what has been going on in past months I think it’s a rather lovely thing to do.”
And while there are plenty of people who have branded the family’s decision as too early, Vikki says it doesn’t matter to them and will continue to celebrate from November as they have done for the past few years.
“Christmas in December is fair enough, but who said you cannot have it early and it has to end on new Year’s Day?” Vikki said.
“People shop for Christmas all year round so it doesn’t bother me what people think.”
Lawrence added: “For everyone’s negative feelings against something that is meant to just put a smile on people’s faces, it may be November and people may not like it but we do things for our children and other children.
“To see my kids faces light up and get excited means so much to me. We may as adults not believe in the spirit of Christmas but children do.
“Christmas is about thinking of others and spreading a little joy. If a few lights can do that then what would happen if everyone done the same.”
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