Whitwick Resident’s Retro Christmas Lights Display Evokes Nostalgia

A Christmas light display, characterized by retro decorations from the 1980s, is offering visitors a nostalgic experience. Jonny Doda, 35, initiated his collection at the age of five upon receiving his first set of Christmas lights. For the eighth consecutive year, he has installed his display in Whitwick, Leicestershire, simultaneously collecting donations for the charity Wishes 4 Kids. Doda commented on the display’s distinctiveness, stating, “It’s something a bit different,” and adding, “People get a bit more excited, it warms their heart and it’s bringing them back to their childhood, which is always nice at Christmas.” He further expressed his view that “Modern decorations have lost the look and feel of Christmas.” Over the years, Mr. Doda has accumulated a collection comprising over 70 vintage blow mold figures and more than 100 sets of incandescent lights. His preferred items within this collection include a teddy bear soldier and a Santa’s sleigh decoration, which is suspended by wires above his residence. Located on Hermitage Road, the display draws numerous visitors, among them Chris and Christine Morley, residents of Whitwick. Mr. Morley, 71, remarked, “It’s the lights we had a long time ago, only we didn’t have a posh tree like this, we had a small plastic one.” He further stated, “I think they are more gentle, restful and more Christmassy.” Mrs. Morley, 68, added her perspective, saying, “They remind me of my childhood, and every year it [the display] gets bigger and bigger.” Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.