How many Christmas lights are too many? [With poll]

I want to set up some prog trance and have a rave there.

Can it be seen from space?

Stainless Steel Rat said :

I’m still waiting for someone in Canberra to steup and take on this:

http://www.geekologie.com/2011/12/sleigh-er-christmas-lights-set-to-metal.php#more

Now that’s cool!

I’m still waiting for someone in Canberra to steup and take on this:

http://www.geekologie.com/2011/12/sleigh-er-christmas-lights-set-to-metal.php#more

Raises money for charity and brings pleasure to those who choose to visit – yet people still complain.

That is a pretty impressive display, I like the ceiling effect particularly. There’s a few quite pretty displays in Quangers, too.

Not that I’m overly into driving around and looking at chrissy lights (I leave that up to the Mrs who quite likes that kinda thing), but that’s a pretty awesome display.

As for Henry82, you’d find that once you have paid money to ACTEW for a good or service it becomes their money. Like most good businesses you’d also find the amount they charge you is not an like for like reflection on what it cost them to provide said good or service. Therefore it’s actually ACTEW’s money which is been spent to pay for this display, not yours.

missjb said :

Do you really think your electicity bill would be cheaper if ACTEW didn’t support this place?

I’m more comfortable paying my bill knowing that at least some of the profit is going towards charity and community projects, rather than a nice Christmas bonus for the chair…

It’s not as if it’s either/or.

Henry82 said :

missjb said :

Henry82 said :

ACTEW are footing the bill for the power :). everyone wins!

so… i am paying for it.

Do you really think your electicity bill would be cheaper if ACTEW didn’t support this place?

I’m more comfortable paying my bill knowing that at least some of the profit is going towards charity and community projects, rather than a nice Christmas bonus for the chair…

johnboy said :

Yes but there’s no sky fairy funded ActewAGL charitable trust. Every single cent they pay out to their many chosen pet projects is paid for by the rest of their customers.

Have you never heard of the ActewANGEL?
Bloody cynic.

dpm said :

Not sure I follow that logic exactly. Don’t we give money to ACTEWAGL for services we use (such as gas, water, electricity)? It’s not the same as a Govt tax taken out of your pay packet. So, saying you paid for the lights because you purchase services off ACTEWAGL seems a bit incorrect to me!

Yes but there’s no sky fairy funded ActewAGL charitable trust. Every single cent they pay out to their many chosen pet projects is paid for by the rest of their customers.

Henry82 said :

missjb said :

Henry82 said :

ACTEW are footing the bill for the power :). everyone wins!

so… i am paying for it.

Not sure I follow that logic exactly. Don’t we give money to ACTEWAGL for services we use (such as gas, water, electricity)? It’s not the same as a Govt tax taken out of your pay packet. So, saying you paid for the lights because you purchase services off ACTEWAGL seems a bit incorrect to me!

missjb said :

Henry82 said :

ACTEW are footing the bill for the power :). everyone wins!

so… i am paying for it.

from our own visit there (bit of self promotion: http://inthetaratory.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/christmas-in-the-capital/) can confirm that it looks great. it’s different to what you’d expect and is tastefully done, allowing for a real wander through it all. always something different to see because it’s constantly changing.
agree with missjb: you can donate to the sids and kids charity, there’s definitely a framed certificate just inside the entrance saying they’re the world record holder with the exact number of lights mentioned in the certificate, and i’m quite sure actew are paying the bill with green energy.

Henry82 said :

I’m glad i’m not paying the electricity bill

IIRC, it’s for charity (SIDS and Kids) and ACTEW are footing the bill for the power :). everyone wins!
it looks beautiful…

I’m glad i’m not paying the electricity bill

I’m sure they are mostly LED lights anyhow, nowadays… and don’t draw enormous amounts of power…

Most of the lighting displays around town are quite modest, anyhow… even if a few take it to extremes. I think it is a great tradition to walk around your suburb with your family to see the displays; and even a drive around neighbouring suburbs or across town is quite the family event. I know my kids associate it with Christmas time…

I went and saw it 10 days ago. It was really nice. I like that people still do things like this and allow anyone who wants to, to come and enjoy it.

I was actually quite surprised that despite the 300,000+ lights, it wasn’t particularly noticeable from the street.

Do the local kids soccer team run sausage sizzles outside these places just after dusk, like they do at Bunnings on a Saturday arvo? Because if they don’t, they should!

Environmental vandalism at its finest.

thatsnotme said :

Even if the displays are ostentatious, displays like this and others around Canberra serve to get people out and about and mingling with other people – outside of shopping malls even! I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

+1

It’s not my cup of tea but the display seems to be very popular among the community. For 25+ days of the yr these light displays are up, I think there great.

Knowing the general tone expressed on most RA posts, I’m guessing this will be anouther whinge-fest! Personally, that light display is awesome! The kids loved it and that’s who it is mainly for, IMHO. 🙂

Isn’t there a certificate on display at the residence confirming they have the record?

Even if the displays are ostentatious, displays like this and others around Canberra serve to get people out and about and mingling with other people – outside of shopping malls even! I don’t think that’s a bad thing.