Craig Hughes has a 30-year love affair with Christmas. It has consumed hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars.
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He wouldn't have it any other way.
Circumstance has meant his award-winning Christmas light display at Cuthbert Drive, Mount Warrigal, has been kept in storage for two years.
But festive fun-lovers, he has two words to share: "We're back".
Thanks to two months of dedicated work, a few friends, the tens of thousands of lights that make up his seasonal spectacular are up and switched on.
But it won't be until Friday that Craig will be happy with the presentation.
"There's some tweaking that needs to be done," he said on Tuesday.
Back in 1993 Craig was motivated to share some light as his dad had been diagnosed with cancer. His mum Joyce was a spritely 80.
Craig now cares for his now 95-year-old mum 24/7. The lights, he said, have provided him with a creative outlet and a tradition to continue.
"I was a teacher so I do love the opportunity to catch up with former students.
"And it's not just them sometimes they now have kids of their own," the 62-year-old said.
What he enjoys most is reacquainting himself with the generations.
"I love it when the kids who were once so cynical have turned into grandparents. They have a completely different attitude," he chortled.
And while the Mount Warrigal favourite is back on the Christmas lights circuit, a longtime favourite has dropped off the list.
For the past 30 year, the Sanders family has shared their seasonal spectacular in the Mangerton front yard. This year Steven and Joy will take their final bow - but not before Santa makes an appearance (sometime close to Christmas Eve - hint, hint).
But let's look at the streets where you can soak in the seasonal spirit - from the comfort of your car.
There are some familiar streets on the list and quite a number of festive neighbourhoods banding together for a multi-house experience.
From Stream Hill to Dapto, Albion Park, Horsley and Kanahooka, there's dozens of displays to enjoy.
We'll keep updating the list as more appear.
Looking for Christmas lights - try these addresses:
3 Pass Ave, Thirroul
61 Forestview Way, Woonona
16 Hickory St, Woonona
20 Scobie Cres, Bellambi
31 Chounding Cres, Bellambi
Mountbatten Street, Corrimal
26 Cross St, Corrimal
2 Ocean St, Towradgi
52 Edgar St, Towradgi
19 John St, Towradgi
10 Bruce Rd, Fernhill
12 Brian St, Fairy Meadow
10 Pleasant Ave, North Wollongong
Emila Road, Wollongong
68 Keira St, Wollongong
10 Rosina St, Wollongong
84 Campbell St, Wollongong
4 Parkman Pl, Mount Keira
6 Welmont Pl, Mount Keira
2 Wentworth St, Port Kembla
10 Phillips Cres, Mangerton
Garden Avenue, Figtree
30 Preston St, Figtree
4 Goodbury Ave, Figtree
23 Poplar Ave, Unanderra
28A Stewards Dr, Kembla Grange
19, 21 and 22 Saddleback Cr, Kembla Grange
50 Cumberland St, Berkeley
3 Winnima Way, Berkeley
8 Goolana St, Berkeley
26 Denniss St, Berkeley
57 Nannawilli St, Berkeley
596 Northcliffe Dr, Berkeley
8 Edgeworth Ave, Kanahooka
67 Edgeworth Ave, Kanahooka
14 and 16 Saltwater Cct, Kanhooka
12 Howell Ave, Kanahooka
5 Fowlers Rd, Koonawarra
9 Caloola Ave, Koonawarra
Timberi Avenue, Dapto
57 Byamee St, Dapto
27 Bambil Cres, Dapto
54 Emerson Rd, Dapto
11 St James Cres, Dapto
Saint James Crescent, Dapto
241 Princes Hwy, Dapto
81, 83 and 85 Laver Rd, Dapto
15 Siltstone Ave, Horsley
Silverwood Place, Horsley
40, 48, 49 and 50 Robins Creek Dr, Horsley
Silverwood Place, Horsley
17 Brooks Reach Rd, Horsley
101 Bong Bong Rd, Horsley
43 Mallon Ave, Horsley
10 Curlew St, Wongawilli
4, 5 and 6 Alfred Cres, Lake Illawarra
5 Dickson Ave, Mount Warrigal
9 and 10 Cox Parade, Mount Warrigal
17 Hardwick Cres, Mount Warrigal
66 Henricks Parade, Mount Warrigal
25 Hogan Ave, Mount Warrigal
6 Cuthbert Dr, Mount Warrigal
8 Kookaburra Pl, Barrack Heights
7 Ribbonwood Pl, Albion Park Rail
1 Kauri St, Albion Park Rail
25 Kauri St, Albion Park Rail
9 Oak St, Albion Park Rail
3 Waratah Ave, Albion Park Rail
3 She Oak Pl, Albion Park Rail
70 Devonshire Cres, Oak Flats
Unit 1/4 Central Ave, Oak Flats
8 Esperance Dr, Albion Park
25A Whistlers Run, Albion Park
17 Noble Rd, Albion Park
Stubbs Road, Albion Park
10 and 11 Tully Cres, Albion Park
4 Collie Way, Albion Park
13 Smith Ave, Albion Park
77 Bodalla St, Tullimbar
82 Yellow Rock Rd, Tullimbar
67, 75 and 77 Bodalla St, Tullimbar
13 Broughton Ave, Tullimbar
10 Malua St, Tullimbar
Tomerong Street, Tullimbar
14 Violet Bvd, Calderwood
19 Meander Dr, Calderwood
4 Horseshoe Cct, Calderwood
15 and 19 Flannery Dr, Calderwood
18 Mountain Ash St, Calderwood
21 Brotheridge Ave, Calderwood
43 Bottlebrush Dr, Calderwood
28 Coral Tree Cres, Calderwood
Pony Drive, Calderwood
24 Meander Dr, Calderwood
13 Boxwood Ave, Calderwood
31 College Ave, Blackbutt
15 Tyrrel St, Flinders
7 Cowal Ct, Flinders