Christmas in 'The Boulevard' - Melbourne

Who doesn't love Christmas right? With all its lights, festivity and spirit of goodwill, fun, laughter and gift giving.

In a demonstration of all the above, there is no better place to view this than in a well-known street in Melbourne called The Boulevard in Ivanhoe East.

Visit of the Magi    Photo copyright Maria Ngo 

Here for several weeks a year leading into Christmas, queues of cars line up from all directions to enter this famous street that tops every list of Christmas lights in Melbourne list. One side of this street is closed to traffic and the other lane is kept for pedestrian use. It felt rather odd to be walking on the street in such fashion though.

There were even pedestrian crossing supervisors to direct traffic and there are food vans and paramedics on hand. Porta-loos (for able bodied and wheelchair users) and free water were also sighted at the nearby field.

A well organised event   Photo copyright Maria Ngo 

There were many decorative themes that people have chosen. Some remind me of Doctor Who episodes with almost life size toy soldiers, drummer boys and wooden toys. Then there were those that made me think of Las Vegas with its grand entrances,, sumptuous hotels and well proportioned casinos.

You're welcome here   Photo copyright Maria Ngo 

There were those who choose more simple decorations with themselves sitting in the living room watching TV and adding to the Christmas spirit in the street and neighbourhood - what could be more sublime than a person nonchalantly watching TV in their living room with a Christmas tree in the background seemingly oblivious to the thousands upon thousands of pairs of eyes gawking at them in their living room carrying on with their life as normal.

There was even one home that reminded me of a wedding - it was all done up in white - including the figures in their garden - alas these were hidden behind a hedge which I didn't feel like intruding upon because they were having a party in their front yard. 

Bright and white Photo copyright Maria Ngo

Another house had us bursting out singing "It's a small world after all." Once you see it you'll know why it had that effect on us. 

It's a small world   Photo copyright Maria Ngo 

One house in particular had a Homer Simpson figure singing Christmas songs and calling out "Doh!" in the driveway.

There were the usual Santa in the chimney decoration, Santa with his troupe of reindeers, Santa on a motorbike and Santa driving a bulldozer - how quaint but also how Australian with our huge acreage of farmland necessitating heavy farm machinery to get the job done.

There were also many homes that had chosen to make the nativity scene their main decorative theme. These came in various sizes and construction material. There were cut out figures and there were 3D figurines. There was one where Mary was holding baby Jesus in her arms which was about life size and appeared to be made of some plant material. 

Each with a story to tell and their own unique style   Photo copyright Maria Ngo

However people chose to decorate their homes, whether simply with strings of lights or with figures of some sort or other, they added to the joy and glee of young and old alike as they paraded down the street marvelling and oohing and aahhing at each one.

It is only with the generous heart and spirit and cooperation of all the households in this street that this event is possible each year - you will find it extremely hard if not impossible to get out of your driveway come 7.30PM and this lasts until at least 11:30PM each night during this period if you lived along this street.

Saint Nicholas giving gifts   Photo copyright Maria Ngo

Upon reflecting on our recent visit to this place, while it was true that some houses stood out and went all out to make theirs a grand decorative effect, even the smaller more subtle decorations along the way contributed and added to the atmosphere and the experience of The Boulevard. And this is what living in community means - each playing their part, whether big or small, each contributing to the greater picture, the greater good and a flourishing community.