For Peter and Carolyn Hoffman, Christmas has always been a heartbreaking time of year, but with ‘Jingle Street’, they’ve found a way to embrace the holiday spirit. Credit: Courtney Kruk
It’s one of Moreton Bay’s most joyful Christmas light displays.
For the past five years, Peter and Carolyn Hoffman have transformed their house on Adrian Street in Caboolture into an exuberant display, affectionately dubbed ‘Jingle Street’.
“We love doing it so much,” Peter says.
Construction begins in August, to beat the heat. By the time its finished and the lights are ready to switch on in late November, the interactive, maze-like Christmas tribute engulfs the entire front yard.
Peter and Carolyn Hoffman started their Christmas light display to honour their late daughter’s memory. Samantha ‘Sammy’ Jane is pictured as an angel, top left.Credit: Courtney Kruk
“This is definitely the biggest evolution of Jingle Street,” Carolyn says.
“[It’s about] bringing joy and happiness to people,” Peter adds.
Finding joy at this time of the year has not been easy for the Hoffman’s.
Two years after meeting in Young, New South Wales, their daughter, Samantha was born in 1992. She drowned two days after Christmas in a neighbour’s pool in 1994.
“I lost my way for about three years after that to alcohol,” Peter says. “I just couldn’t handle what was going on.”
The pair married in 1995 and fell pregnant with their daughter Lauren on their honeymoon.
“We went to the doctor and he said, you’re due the 27th of the 12th [the date Sammy died],” Carolyn said. The gynaecologist and an ultrasound technician made the same predication.
Carolyn and Peter Hoffman with their daughter Lauren at the grave of their late daughter.Credit: Peter & Carolyn Hoffman
“We’ve always felt her with us,” Peter says.
“When we laid her to rest, the first song we picked was More Than A Feeling by Boston … every time we go for a long trip or I get on the bike to go for a ride, I can turn on the radio and it’s playing that song.”
For years, the holiday season magnified the Hoffman’s grief. “We had always tried to be upbeat for the kids, but as soon as December hit, that was when the downhill slide started,” Peter says.
He remembers asking Lauren, then aged four, what she wanted to do for Christmas. “And she said, ‘I just want to be happy’.”
This year, Jingle Street is raising funds for local organisation ‘Eats 4 The Street’, a charity providing food to those in need. Credit: Courtney Kruk
Peter decided to set up a couple of chairs on the street outside their house. “We sat there and just started waving to everybody and yelling, ‘Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!’
“That went on for nearly 20 years and just got bigger and bigger … people started bring us bottles and gifts to say thanks.
“It gave us a bit of hope.”
Peter and Carolyn moved to Caboolture in 2015. “We love the place we live,” Carolyn says.
Jingle Street has always been about the community, a way to celebrate with their neighbours and anyone in need of Christmas cheer.
A picture of Jingle Street posted to the display’s Facebook page. Credit: Kelly Rose/Jingle Street Facebook page
“I think the majority of people who do Christmas light displays would say they love the suburb, the neighbourhood they live in. That’s why they do it,” Peter says.
They go above and beyond, too. Carolyn organises lolly bags, while Peter enjoys putting on the Santa gear. He’s even been known to pull out the guitar for an original performance.
“As you can see, he hates attention,” Carolyn says.
Each year, the Hoffman’s raise money for a different cause. This year, they’re raising funds for Eats 4 The Streets, a local organisation providing meals to people in need.
“The amount of people that come through and seeing the kids and their smiles ... it’s just really nice,” Peter says.
Find Jingle Street at 20 Adrian Street, Caboolture and check the Facebook page for updates here.