There’s a special house in Bergvliet that’s known for igniting the festive spirit like no other. Meet the Christmas House and the fantastic family behind it!
Bergvliet, South Africa (17 December 2024) — There’s always that one Christmas house that neighbours know they can count on to bring festive joy to the whole street. For residents on Glen Alpine Way, that house belongs to the Bernhardi family, who, for 16 years, have been decking the halls with lights, decor and all things merry whilst raising funds for causes close to their hearts.
As Samantha Bernhardi tells Good Things Guy, her husband Paul wastes no time in planning the next year of decorating. In fact, he begins his brainstorming shortly after all the lights have been taken down at the end of the season!
The Beginning of the Christmas House
It’s a tradition that began over two decades ago. A different house then, Paul and Samantha began putting up lights at their little house in Milnerton. By the time their daughter Rebecca was one, they moved to the now-famous Christmas House on 32 Glen Alpine Way in Bergvliet.
“This where a new Christmas Light Journey with a children’s Christmas party for family and friends in our garden started,” explains Paul.
That party hosted carols, music, Christmas videos played on a large projector and Christmas crafts. Of course, the garden, generously brimming with lights, was also a favourite.
But after the party was over, the family felt that the garden looked sad with so many lights and no one to enjoy them.
Two years later, they decided that they would move the light party to the front garden so everyone could feel a little brighter.
“Our garden is open to all who would like to pop in for a wander and chat,” Samantha says. “We have seen some of the [same] faces year after year, so each evening is a happy reunion of old friends.”
Lights, More Lights and Family Features
The light work gets started in late October. After work, every day, Paul and his elves get cracking to transform their house into THE Christmas House.
“The first to go up is always the Christmas Countdown and the display changes every year,” shares Paul.
It’s a family affair through and through, with personal touches integral to the magic.
“Many of our items are homemade, and our collection grows every year,” Paul explains. A yearly attraction are the family’s collection of Harrods Christmas Teddy bears which Samantha has been collecting since 1997.
As each year invites a new bear, so does it invite a new theme.
Paul’s mother-in-law, 85-year-old Colleen Welch, is behind the bear’s fantastic outfits; making them herself.
Charity is Its Own Treasure
A heartwarming feature is the charity element to the family’s festivities. It’s as old as the decorating tradition, too.
“At the original garden party, we asked friends for donations for charities which included dog or cat food to go to animal welfare societies,”Paul explains. As a vet himself, animal-centric causes have long-been close to to the Bernhardi’s hearts.
When folks started offering to contribute to the family’s electricity bill that kept the lights shining beautifully, the family opted to create a charity box at the garden’s entrance instead. Each year, it supports a different charity.
This year, The Christmas House is supporting Tom Ro Horse Sanctuary, an NPO rescuing and rehabilitating abused and neglected horses and ponies.
These horses are used in equine-assisted healing programmes that help children and young adults who have suffered abuse.
A Map, a Hard-working Cat and the Spirit of Sharing
The family have also created a map of houses that have glowed up for Christmas so that those who love looking at all the festive lights can have a path to follow.
Then there’s the Pop-up Shop, which teens Ethan and Rebecca helped build, while Marley the cat manages the day-to-day.
“Part of the current team is always our cat, Marley, that seems to enjoy the attention of all coming to see the display, often getting a pat on the head,” Paul notes, sure to give all the family members their flowers.
As for the reason behind the dedication to fantastic festive decor, Paul puts it simply:
“We do this to see the delight of the kids and adults with a few minutes of an escape from the business of life to the delight of Christmas.”
You can visit The Christmas House in person, or keep up with their marvellous merriment here.
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