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Private housing residents in Yio Chu Kang pooled some S$50,000 to decorate the streets to rival the Christmas light-up in Orchard.

A taxi driver tipped Shin Min Daily News off about the the well-lit and decked out streets, which consisted of reindeers, Santa Claus, snowman decorations, and Christmas trees.

The decorations extend to four streets: Seletar Green Avenue, Luxus Hill Avenue, Seletar Green View, and Seletar Green Walk.

Five years and running

A 52-year-old resident, identified as Xavier Lee, shared that he is one of a group of many residents who come together each year to dress up the streets for any major festivals or celebrations.

He let on that decorating the streets have been a tradition that has been occurring for the past five years.

During other occasions, such as National Day and the Lunar New Year, other decorations tied to the festivities will be put up.

Got residents to chip in

Around 85 per cent of the 400 households in the area chipped in to get the Christmas decorations set up.

"We went from two streets to four streets, with some eight groups of residents overseeing the decorations. Each street has a person-in-charge overseeing the decorations," he explained. They aim to reach 100 per cent participation in 2023.

Each family used to contribute about S$260 to engage a professional event company for the decorations, but due to a surge in the number of residents who want to be part of the initiative, the cost is less than S$200 now.

The S$50,000 cost includes setting up the decorations and its insurance.

The decorations rely on electricity supplied by about 10 households in the private estate.

Each family providing electricity contributed a subsidised amount for the decorations.

As a matter of fairness, households that belong to other religious groups only pay half of the full amount to contribute to the light-up.

A 19-year-old resident in the area said the light-up provides a feeling of warmth and maintains the kampung spirit among those who live there.

Lee said:

"I used to live in a condominium and realised that neighbours often closed their doors [without speaking to one another].

I hope the kampung spirit will be cultivated among the residents here, and that younger people will be part of it too."

Top photos via Shin Min Daily News