It’s hard to pick a winner, with many going above and beyond when it comes to lighting and decoration displays. 

But it’s easy to see why Wallace’s Rinaldi family has won this year’s The Courier’s Christmas Lights competition. 

The family – Annie, husband Martin, Jesse, 16, Madison, 11, and twins Abbey and Corey, 9 – started work on their massive display in October and said they did it for the children.

“It’s all about the kids ... just to see their faces when they first arrive,” Mrs Rinaldi said. 

“All the big eyes and the ‘oohs and ahhs’; it’s very special.”

The impressive Erin Court house includes window displays which give the Myer windows a run for their money, a large nativity scene and even a snow machine. 

“I love the nativity scene, but the kids are obsessed with the snow machine,” Mrs Rinaldi said. The family has been decorating their house for more 10 years and said it was common for hundreds of cars to be banked up in the small court in the lead-up to Christmas. 

They have a dedicated “Christmas shed” where they store their items and have been collecting Christmas-themed props for years. 

Mrs Rinaldi said the residents of Ballarat could expect their display to be back “bigger and better” next year. 

WINNERS

Judges' Choice

Annie Rinaldi, 23 Erin Court, Wallace

$500 Stems Flower Market voucher

$500 Holiday and Cruise Centre voucher

18-seat private Gold Class screening at Regent Cinemas

People's Choice

Mick and Helen Squire, 19 Panorama Drive, Delacombe

$500 Rest N Relax voucher

$500 from Gold Bus

Lucky Voter Prize

Sue Robson

$500 Bunnings gift voucher

Hamper from Ryan's IGA