The Christmas house in Bergvliet, run by the Bernhardi family, has been lighting the way to the most wonderful time of the year for over 16 years.
Every Reconciliation Day, December 16, the house alights in Christmas decorations, which includes a Nativity scene and a 30-year-old Harrod’s teddy bear collection.
This year, the house is included in a map of 14 mostly southern suburbs homes from Woodstock to Wynberg, Plumstead to Bergvliet and Meadowridge that are lighting the way to Christmas cheer.
However, for the Bernhardi family, decorating the exterior and courtyard of their home begins in October. It takes a full month and a half to set up.
The lights were officially turned-on on Monday and will remain lit every night until Thursday January 2, from 7.45pm to 10.30pm.
“Setting up the lights was all done after hours because I work full-time. We only usually get home at about 6.30pm. It’s the ideal time to actually start putting up lights and you can see what it looks like. We would start from about 8pm end off between 10pm to midnight.You can ask our neighbours, they would sit and watch it go up every night,” said Paul Bernhardi.
It is not only lights that go up but sets that are made to themes. Guests have come to expect a Harrods teddy bear set, and this year it will be a Harry Potter theme, complete with a likeness to a room in the Hogwarts Castle and little bears dressed up as Harry Potter, said Mr Bernhardi.
The Glen Alpine Way home has a charity box, which in previous years has fetched around R12 000 to R15 000. Proceeds this year will be for the Tom Ro Haven for Equines and Children in Noordhoek.
The non-profit animal shelter has for over 14 years been rehabilitating horses and bringing in children from places of safety who have suffered abuse, and victims of human trafficking for equine therapy to interact with the horses and find peace, healing and purpose, said founder Gillian McCulloch.
Ms McCulloch said apart from the odd generous donation, the shelter battles monthly for funding.
“Currently at the haven, we have 19 horses, and there are loads more that need help.
“We’re being asked to help more people in need who come to interact with the horses.
“And that has a cost attached to us as well. Our needs are always just to feed, supplement and provide chronic medication for horses. So we are just so grateful to the Christmas house in Bergvliet for choosing us as a beneficiary this year,” Ms Culloch said.
To receive the full map of houses decorated for Christmas, contact Samantha via email on samantha@samanthabernhardi.com or call 074 601 5763.
Find the Tom Ro Haven for Equines and Children on Facebook to make donations to aid their horse and equine therapy.
