For the last six years, a North Saanich couple have been adding a touch of holiday spirit to their part of the community.
The News Review caught up with Mike and Sandra Wiggins as they were busy decorating the trees out front of their property along Wain Road.
For years, the colourful ornaments have been seen along the roadside — adding a little Christmas cheer to the neighbourhood and to people driving by.
Mike and Sandra said they started decorating the trees along their driveway around 12 years ago, when their grandchildren were young.
“People would turn up the driveway and have a look,” Mike said, adding they didn’t mind sharing the joy with others.
So, six years ago, they decided to make the ornaments more visible by hanging them from trees along Wain Road. Sandra said each year people stop and comment and they almost always have good stories to share and are thankful to see the annual hanging of the ornaments.
She recalled one year, a neighbour arrived and told them of a health challenge within their family — and how coming out to see the decorations was a joy in their day. That meeting ended in tears and hugs.
So, they continue to put up the ornaments. Sandra said the have no idea just how many they have, but figured they’ve put up hundreds of them over the years. Mike added they learn new things every year — having drilled holes in some of their favourite bobbles, so water doesn’t collect inside them.
“Every year, we lose a few to wind, to rain or to the cold,” Sandra added.
North Saanich’s Wain Road is a narrow rural route, so if you do go check out this year’s display, drive and walk safely.