A Hants County man has found a unique way to light up his family's home this holiday — and it likely won't cost him a penny more on his electric bill.
Reid Swinamer, who lives in Three Mile Plains, has created a display using reflective tape.
After purchasing the specialty tape in a variety of colours, he cut each one into smaller pieces, carefully arranging them on thin sticks of wood. The wood was then nailed into place along the side of his house and deck. He also framed the sticks together to create small Christmas trees as well. His colours of choice this year include blue, red, amber, white and pink.
The tape, often associated with the silver on construction vests, can be purchased at most large retailers.
He says he came up with the idea “years ago but it just never materialized until this year.”
Driving by his house in the daytime, a motorist wouldn’t really notice anything out of the ordinary. But, approach his house at nighttime and the lights from the car illuminates his handiwork. The brighter the lights, the brighter his Christmas display shines. And, it works with taillights too.
“You can touch your break lights — pump them like that — and every light (reflector) turns red,” he said, smiling.
While he did string up a set of electrical lights this year, he said he didn't intend to use them except on Christmas Eve.
“Different people say it's such a great idea,” Swinamer noted in a recent interview at his home.
“I don't know what it's going to do for the light bill. I'm kind of curious to find out,” he said.
