With the Christmas season well and truly under way, we cast our eyes to the bright lights turning homes into festive masterpieces.

The artistic sides of our Christmas-loving neighbours across the island have been unleashed with some displays really impressing passers-by with their glitzy appeal.

One house that is impossible to miss on Ballabrooie Way in Douglas is John Davidson’s family home. Like every other year, he has gone to town with an eclectic collection of lights and animated figures in aid of the RNLI.

He said: ’Raising money for the RNLI was my grandson David Livsey’s idea.

’We used to live in Onchan and a number of people remember our display there. In Onchan three years ago, we raised £500 and last year we raised £170 for the lifeboats.’

A post box is attached to a pole in the corner of their garden for people to post donations.

’We enjoy Christmas and putting up the lights, it keeps me out of mischief,’ he said. ’We get a really good reaction. My wife Ann and daughter Barbara have been painting stones with a Christmas theme. The kids passing by can help themselves to them. Our garage has been done as a Santa’s room with reindeer food for children to also help themselves to.’

Putting up the decorations, which also include snowmen and Santas that dance to a tune, has taken the family two weeks.

Jim Denton, 82, has worked tirelessly on his Ballaugh bungalow ahead of his daughter Julie Anne - a Manx glass artist - arriving from Zurich in Switzerland in celebration of her gaining a doctorate.

He decorated the seven foot Christmas tree that has grown over nine years in their garden at Hollybank, Main Road.

Writing in secret to the Manx Independent, his wife Pat expressed her admiration of his efforts.

’He did it all in the wind and the rain while wearing shorts,’ she said. ’I was a bit scared of him falling off the ladder, but he said: "I’m more likely to fall off the ladder if you’re here nagging me!".’

When it came to the switch on, he led her down the path with his hands over her eyes before uncovering them.

’It’s absolutely lovely!’ she said.

Her daughter was very ’excited’ to see the lights, which are also appreciated by his their son Alan, daughter-in-law Cath and grandkids Kelly and Luke.

Lighting up West Baldwin is David Dentith at Mount Rule Cottages with his impressive nativity scene and hand-made manger, sleigh and reindeer.

’Growing up as a kid, my mother loved putting up decorations and I loved looking at all the lights. What I like about decorating is that it puts a smile on people’s faces and it’s a bit of fun.

’I could buy stuff, but it’s not the same as making it. It’s not always perfect, but I enjoy it!’

Over three days, Mr Dentith has brought the story of Christmas to life with large figurines of key nativity characters.

His family, including 10 grandchildren and a great-grandchild, count down the days until his switch on takes place.

He added: ’I see a lot of people slow down when they go past to look at the decorations. Not everyone puts lights up outside their homes, but I think it makes a difference.’