CHRISTMAS began late at Brian Stevenson's house this year - he did not start decorating until the beginning of November.

Mr Stevenson usually starts decorating his modest home on the Nicklin Way, Buddina, in October to have his massive display ready by December but got off to a late start this year.

With the help of his supportive but not quite as enthusiastic wife Julie, he packed the six-week job into just four to make his deadline of turning his Christmas lights on the first weekend of December.

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"We didn't turn the lights on until Sunday. I said, 'We're turning the lights on tonight,' and Julie said, 'No we're not'," he said.

"We spent last weekend working from 6am to 8pm. When I said that, it was a mad panic because the reindeer and sleigh weren't together."

Yes, that's right - reindeer and sleigh.

The Stevensons' display includes a team of life-like reindeer in front of a sleigh carrying Santa and a load of presents.

The reindeer alone are worth about $5000.

The decorations include at least half a dozen blow-ups, including a 6m high Santa which towers above the house, lights, baubles strung from palm trees and the house, signs, Mr and Mrs Clause figures, and a Christmas-themed train set - or eight, actually.

"I bought four sets to get enough track for what I wanted. And I bought another four for extra buildings," he said.

Mr Stevenson is not game to estimate how much he has spent on decorations, but when you factor in snow juice and bubble juice at $120 for 20 litres each, helium for balloons at $335, and a $600 increase in his quarterly electricity bill, Christmas does not come cheap at his house.

"I could have bought a house instead of renting this one, I suppose," he said.

Mr Stevenson said the decorating began years ago with a few lights from Woolworths but had got more serious as time went on.

He said he did it simply because he got a kick out of seeing the joy it brought others.

"When you see the kids' faces, that's what it's all about," he said.

About 1200 people visited the Stevensons' home on the busiest nights last year.

The couple's hard work was rewarded when they won a radio station's Christmas lights competition last year, a $500 prize which he spent on lights.

"What else would I spend it on?" Mr Stevenson said.