While Christmas is just days away, Mandurah’s most festive home has already welcomed thousands of guests and showcased some exciting new additions.
Mary Kartesz-Wardroper and her husband Alan devote six months of every year to creating the magic of Christmas for Mandurah families.
Each year, the duo decorates the home, inside and out, with a the range of festive displays, including 32 individual nativity scenes and more than 530 individual Christmas trees.
New additions this year include a sleigh donated by John Tonkin College, a merry go round hand-made by Hayden Gawne, a large Santa chair, several singing toys and dozens more Christmas trees.
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Local youngsters Connor James Thompson, Mia-Leigh Rossi and Ashlee Ella Thompson help the pair out each night, dressing as “little elves” that turn on lights, fix displays and direct guests.
Ms Kartesz-Wardroper said thousands of people had been visiting each night since the pair opened their doors to the public.
The home will remain open until January 8, 2019.
Those wishing to experience the Christmas magic for themselves is urged to come after Christmas Day.
“We recommend coming after Christmas so that people can enjoy it more as it won’t be so busy,” she said.
“Sometimes it is shoulder to shoulder in here."
Ms Kartesz-Wardroper said she has met people from various countries and across the state since opening this year.
“People have even been Skyping their friends while they’re here,” she said.
Growing up in the US State of Pennsylvania with her eight brothers and sisters, Christmas was a magical time for Ms Kartesz-Wardroper.
Her parents used to surprise their children by working through the night of Christmas Eve to transform their family home into a wonderland of lights, ornaments, decorations, music and gifts.
That family tradition is now one the whole of Mandurah can enjoy.
In 2017, the Mandurah attraction raised more than $11,000 for the couple’s favourite charity, K9 Rescue Group.
Ms Kartesz-Wardroper thanked everyone who had helped bring the attract to life again this year, including Hayden and Debbie Gawne, Ashleigh Tod, Emily Hewitt, Casey Taylor, Chris, Lynn and Katrina Millard, Hayley Hodgkinson and Brianna Millard-Thompson.
Details:
- The home is at 8 Meadow Springs Drive.
- Until January 8, the home is open every night from 7pm.
