Residents of Elliot Place, otherwise known as the “Candy Cane Lane” of St. Albert, have always been a tight-knit group. That hasn’t changed this year, but it has become more important to them to spread joy to the wider community.
You might get that sense if you walk down the lane, currently decked out in archways of Christmas lights. The Christmas spirit shines from lawns and houses all around.
Resident Jason LeDrew said the reason they do this is because it is nice to bring joy to people and the neighbours all help each other out with that. He didn’t initially know what he was getting into when he first moved to the cul-de-sac three years ago, but he soon found out.
“We just moved to St. Albert and didn’t know this existed. But the neighbours filled us in quite quickly about what we were up against when it comes down to Christmas,” said LeDrew.
He said there is a bit of competition between the 17 houses when it comes to decorating.
“It’s fun – we try to one-up each other every year. The original people, they’re starting to get more into the game now because the newcomers are coming to light a fire under their butts,” said LeDrew.
He added a fire pit to his driveway and built extra arches to add to the walkway outside of his house this year.
Neighbour Katie Loutitt acknowledges the one-upmanship and acknowledges LeDrew’s extra arches. She will be looking at Boxing Day sales for Christmas lights this year. She wants to add something to her roof, but she hasn’t found the perfect piece yet.
She said she couldn’t ask for a better neighbourhood and they all look out for each other.
The light display draws them closer together during a season when they normally wouldn’t see each other.
“The thing is, in the wintertime, you never really talk to your neighbours because you’re not on your driveway or your front yard. This gets you talking with your neighbours,” said Loutitt.
It’s Loutitt’s third Christmas at Elliot Place. Unlike LeDrew, she did have an idea about what she was signing up for. Her real estate agent let her know about her responsibilities when they were looking at the house.
The previous owner even left them all their Christmas stuff. However, Loutitt said you don’t really know what goes into it until you’re in it – but it’s been worth it.
She enjoys being able to talk to people as they go by, and that seems like it has been more important this year than it has ever been.
Valerie Hamm has lived at Elliot Place for 14 years. She said this year seems to be busier than most.
People are looking for more joy this year and for things they can safely do that will get them out of the house.
“It’s just spreading joy. Just giving people a place to come and relax and enjoy the beauty of Christmas,” said Hamm.
Hamm doesn’t feel competition between the neighbours, but she did add a new selfie spot to her yard this year. She put up arches and borrowed a bench from Loutitt.
Hamm likes to people-watch and said she has seen some cute moments from people taking pictures on the bench.
A van did a loop around the cul-de-sac and parked outside her house. An elderly couple got out and were helped to the bench, where they sat down.
“And then she put her head on his shoulders and they took photos. And then they slowly helped them back to the van. For me, that was Christmas. It was why we do the whole thing.”
