This Dartmouth, N.S., man’s Christmas display gets bigger every year

A hand-made Christmas display is spreading Holiday cheer in Dartmouth.

A Dartmouth, N.S., man’s Christmas display is drawing lots of attention from the community.

“This all started about five years ago when my wife, Lynn, said to me, ‘I’d like a Grinch for our property,’” said Gary Cross. “And I made her a Grinch.”

Since then, Cross and his wife have added more to their Christmas display each year, bringing their niece Carol Lewis on board for the last two years.

“The positive feedback that we’ve received from the people in the community has just fueled us to do more and more each year,” he said.

Cross said some of the decorations were store bought but most of them he’s made himself.

“We try to use a lot of materials that have been repurposed, some of them have been curbside giveaways,” Cross said.

Lewis said she along with her aunt and uncle, come up with new ideas for the display all year round.

“We start after the Christmas display goes down, thinking about the next year,” said Lewis.

This year’s theme was “Bake the world a batter place.” The display features the Cookie Monster, a giant gingerbread man and chocolate chip cookies.

“Gary is the master of the puns,” his niece said.

Lewis said she enjoys making the displays because it means she gets to spend time with her aunt and uncle.

“I really like having the time with them and being able to use my creative in a positive way for a positive thing,” she said. “It’s really been a labour of love.”

Cross said it’s rewarding to hear all the feedback they receive from the community.

“Putting this altogether, it really just puts me in good Christmas spirit,” Cross said.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Mike Lamb

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