Jess Hardiman
Many of us have already found ourselves grumbling about the Christmas music being blared out in stores as we try and work our way through the weekly shop.
Some of you may have even seen a few trees up already, even though there are still pumpkins rotting away on people’s doorsteps.
It’s enough to bring out the inner scrooge of even the biggest festive fans. After all, there’s always the risk of peaking too early, inevitably meaning that, by the time December finally rolls around, we can’t bear the sight of candy canes and Santa hats.
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But there’s one man who has a perfectly good reason to get into the seasonal spirit earlier than others might like.
John Reichart, who has been getting his Christmas decorations ready in his garage since September, decided to get everything erected by last Thursday.
And it’s not just his own home that he’s transformed into a winter wonderland.
He had a dream of lighting up his entire street – that's more than 20 lawns – where he lives in Indianola, Iowa.
Local resident Frank Ewurs told WBDJ7: “Hearing the kids walk down the street and yell at their mom or dad, 'Look at this. Look at this. Let's go look at this'.
“Their walks turn into speed walking or slow jogs, so they can get to one house from the next.”
But it’s not just about making his neighbours happy.
Reichart and his wife have always shared a deep love for the Christmas season, and he’s been determined to ensure that his other half – who has Alzheimer’s disease – can continue to enjoy herself in spite of her declining health.
“If one person drives by and feels happiness in their heart, then I’ve done my job,” Reichart said.
Reichart and his wife, who is also a breast cancer survivor, have always had a shared love of Christmas.
He felt this would be a simple – albeit ambitious – way for them to continue making memories.
“She will remember this,” Reichart added.
“She wanted Christmas, so I give her Christmas.”
While his neighbours are understandably grateful for his efforts, they also recognise the real reason at the core of the November display.
“Hearing his story and knowing what it means to him, just makes it all the more special and why he’s doing it,” Ewurs said.