KENTVILLE, N.S. — Jim and Cheryl Benson may share Clark Griswold’s love of going above and beyond for their annual Christmas display, but that’s where the similarities end.
Unlike Chevy Chase’s klutzy character in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, the Bensons have decorating for Christmas – inside and out – down to a science.
And, lucky for them, there’s no threat of rough-around-the-edges Cousin Eddie dropping by for a visit.
The fact that Middle Dyke Road offers a spectacular aerial view of their property, which is near the corner of the connector road leading into New Minas and Kentville’s Belcher Street, is not lost on the Bensons.
For 25 years, they’ve spent months preparing an outdoor Christmas display that attracts new visitors on a daily basis from light up at the end of November, until the final showing Jan. 1.
They start in September.
“She’s the foreman,” jokes Jim.
Cheryl thinks of herself as more of a planner.
She comes up with designs and plots out where the decorations will be placed. Jim handles the woodworking, constructs frames and builds bases.
“It usually takes me a day to put all of my bases up,” he says.
“We have about two or three wheelbarrow loads of extension cords and… she has a place for each one.”
The retirees make use of good weather leading up to light up day in an attempt to avoid working outside in harsh elements or the pesky wind, but they are mindful of Nov. 11 each year.
“We respect Remembrance Day. We don’t decorate on Remembrance Day. We don’t go out and work around,” explains Jim, a former Michelin employee.
Setup is a team effort fueled by the fascination of passersby from near and far.
“All the lights are checked before we put them out, and the first light up there’s something not working… it never fails,” says Cheryl, who worked for the Municipality of County of Kings.
They regularly let visitors take a stroll around their property to get a better view of the impressive festive display.
“We both like Christmas – always did.” - Jim Benson
Jim’s favourite feature is the wagon he refurbished. Cheryl has a soft spot for the wooden church her husband made from scratch.
“The nice part is you’ve had kids that have come that are now grown up and have kids of their own that come,” says Cheryl.
“So you know you’re getting old,” she adds with a laugh.
Some children leave them notes, which Cheryl tucks away in a Christmas book.
“Someday when we can’t do it anymore, I’ll be able to look at the Christmas book and have something to look at,” she says.
They’ve received little gifts from longtime fans, and frequently find cards in the mail.
It all warms their hearts.
“That’s our Christmas, really. It makes us feel good,” says Jim.
“That’s what keeps us going.”
Their shared loved of all things Christmas has led to many highlight reel moments in 46 years of marriage.
“We’re a pretty good match there,” says Jim. “We both like Christmas – always did.”
Cheryl loves to entertain over the holidays. Jim counts the days until the next Christmas dinner they’ll share with their daughter’s family.
They’ve both wholeheartedly embraced the fact that a trip past the Benson house has become a Christmas tradition for many.
Locals regularly ask them when their home will be lit up for the holidays leading up to December.
They try to stay home in the evenings during the holidays to ensure no one is disappointed.
“People expect the lights on every night,” says Cheryl.
“We appreciate that they appreciate it because what would be the sense of doing it if nobody enjoyed it?”
Friends have told them that a cruise past their decked out home puts them in the holiday spirit after a tough day at work.
They say feedback like that makes every minute of prep and maintenance worth it.
“Cab drivers and people that are on the road at night and stuff, it gives them something,” says Cheryl. “We hope it makes their day a little brighter. That’s what we go for.”
Want to find more great light displays? Or share your own with your community? Visit our Nova Scotia 2019 Christmas lights map
Want to join the conversation? Comments are open on this article at SaltWire.com for members.
Want to find more great light displays? Or share your own with your community? Visit our Nova Scotia 2019 Christmas lights map
Want to join the conversation? Comments are open on this article at SaltWire.com for members.
