- 80.3 per cent of Australians consider Christmas lights one of the most important festive traditions
- Over half (54.8 per cent) will deck out their homes with light displays this year
- Jamie Durie and Allianz Australia launch ‘Spotlight Your Sparkle’ – a national competition awarding the most festive home light displays in Australia
Christmas is just around the corner and new research from Allianz Australia reveals over half (54.8 per cent) of Aussies will deck their homes out with a dazzling light display, with the majority (57.8 per cent) already starting to think about their Christmas lights.
According to the research, the majority (80.3 per cent) of Aussies believe festive lights are one of the most important ways of celebrating Christmas in Australia, with 60 per cent saying they put up their festive light displays to get into the Christmas spirit.
In fact, the Aussie love of Christmas lights is so strong that three quarters (72.2 per cent) admit to purchasing new decorations each year. Of those planning to purchase new decorations, 84.8 per cent will spend anywhere up to $250. While for some Aussies, buying new lights is more an issue of convenience with a quarter (23.8 per cent) buying new lights just to get out of detangling their old ones.
In recognition of the festive joy and love of lights across the country, Allianz has launched a nationwide search to find the very best Christmas light displays on homes in Australia. The ‘Spotlight Your Sparkle’ competition will reward families and communities that light up their homes over the festive season, with one winner from every state (NSW/ACT, QLD, VIC, SA, WA, TAS) awarded $2,000 – $1,000 for themselves and $1,000 to be donated to a charity of their choosing.
The ‘Spotlight Your Sparkle’ competition will be judged by a panel that includes Allianz’s Chief Festive Officer, international award winning designer and TV presenter, Jamie Durie, who said he will be looking for innovative displays, sustainable styles and well-thought-out designs.
“The Summer festive season has always been a special time of year for me; the way it brings people together, puts everyone in a good mood, creates community and connection – the Christmas spirit really does exist!
“With my landscape design background, one of the highlights of this time of year is decorating. It’s an occasion in its own right! In Australia, we have a unique opportunity to be creative in such a different way to the rest of the world – think of the beautiful native plants we have in full bloom, a real opportunity to be unique and stand out – so I’ll be looking for homes that really highlight this,” said Jamie Durie.
Allianz research also revealed a quarter (27 per cent) of Aussies decorate their homes for the sense of community it brings and nearly two-thirds (60 per cent) light up their homes in order to spread Christmas joy with passers-by. In recognition of this community spirit, the ‘Spotlight Your Sparkle’ competition is designed to acknowledge and reward those who pull out all the stops to bring joy to the communities they are part of.
It’s also a family affair, with over a third (35.1 per cent) stating they will light up their homes for the viewing pleasure of their kids or grandchildren, with 55.7 per cent of Aussies agreeing that spending time with loved ones is the most important part of Christmas.
Nick Adams, Chief Marketing Officer at Allianz Australia said: “We understand what a special time of year Christmas is for bringing together family, friends and neighbours. Our research has revealed just how valuable festive light displays are to Australian households and communities.
“For some neighbourhoods, Christmas lights have created festive destinations and we want to celebrate the contribution these families are making to communities nationwide – Allianz’s ‘Spotlight Your Sparkle’ competition does just that. We also recognise Christmas is a time to give back. We know a third (34 per cent) of Aussies prefer to give gifts than receive them, which is why Allianz will be donating $1,000 to each winner's chosen charity.”
Allianz’s Spotlight Your Sparkle competition is open now. Entrants will be asked to take a photo of their Christmas light display and submit it through a dedicated website where an expert judging panel will review and make their decision.
Closing Sunday, 15 December, a competition winner from each state will be announced on Wednesday, 18 December 2019. Each winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize, and the opportunity to pick a charity of their choice where this prize value will be matched in donation.
To ensure decorations don’t become a hazard themselves, Allianz encourages anyone who is choosing to put up Christmas lights to make sure they are approved, safe and in good working order before installing them. For outdoor lights, it is important they are weatherproof, secure, and turned off in rainy or stormy weather.
For more detail about Allianz’s Spotlight Your Sparkle competition or Christmas light safety visit Spotlight your sparkle.