Alisa and Lysandra Fraser Lights On Christmas Interview

Alisa and Lysandra Fraser Lights On Christmas Interview

Australians are invited to add a little sparkle to their Christmas with Vicinity Centres and The Block winners Alisa and Lysandra joining forces to search for the nation's most creative and inspiring lights display.

The Lights On Christmas competition invites Australians to show how they are adding a little sparkle this festive season by sharing their most innovative Christmas light display.

Design duo Alisa and Lysandra Fraser said, 'The Lights On Christmas competition invites everyone to get in the spirit and light up their street, house or even desk and let your creativity shine bright."

'With entries open now, the winners won't be selected on the biggest budget or resource but rather on artistic, visual and creative elements. We are looking forward to seeing the dazzling displays communities across the country create this festive season," Alisa and Lysandra added.

For a chance to win a share of $5,000 in prizes entrants need to snap a picture of their most unique Christmas lights display and upload it at addalittlesparkle.com.au. Entries close on 13 December.

'With Christmas just around the corner, there are lots of simple and creative ways to add a little extra sparkle and brighten up your home," Alisa and Lysandra added.

If you're looking for some inspiration for your Lights On Christmas entry Alisa and Lysandra have put together some of their top lighting tips below:

Create a Dixie Cup Light Garland
Ordinary disposable cups can truly transform a plain string of lights. The result can be spectacular and this is the one decoration you can display all year round.

Design a Star Wreath
Not only pretty but a great up-cycling project too. You can use driftwood, sticks, branches or timber leftovers to create the shape of your star. Then wrap around a string of battery operated fairy lights, either alone or mixed with some Boston ivy. It's a real showstopper!

Fashion a Branch Christmas Tree
We see more and more people embracing alternative Christmas tree ideas. If you've always wanted a low maintenance alternative to a Christmas tree, start collecting tree branches. Spread and weave the fairy lights around each branch until they are all evenly covered. Too simple, but stunning!

Sparkle Fabric Garland
We love burlap; it's neutral, rustic and not overly feminine. Cut the fabric into strips and tie each piece evenly onto string lights. Then, decorate a staircase, a dark corner or why not try placing it around a huge vase for the ultimate rustic-glam table centrepiece!

Plywood Light Christmas Tree

All you need is a sheet of plywood, cut to the dimensions you desire, a packet of medium length nails, and preferably fairy lights with translucent wiring. Position the nails to form a tree shape and thread the lights into position. This tree is the ultimate space saver, and ideal for outdoor patios, balconies or verandas.

For more information on how to enter visit addalittlesparkle.com.au.

Head to your local Vicinity Centre to find special gifts for the ones you love, shining stars to top your tree, a Christmas feast to fill your table or a special outfit for the big day.

Interview with Alisa and Lysandra Fraser

Question: Can you tell us about the Vicinity Centre Lights On Christmas competition?

Alisa and Lysandra Fraser: Vicinity Centres is searching for the nation's most creative and inspiring lights display with their nationwide competition, Lights On Christmas. The competition invites Australians to show how they are adding a little sparkle this festive season by sharing their most innovative Christmas light display. For a chance to win a share of $5,000 in prizes entrants need to snap a picture and upload it at addalittlesparkle.com.au. Entries close on 13 December.


Question: What are you looking for with the competition?

Alisa and Lysandra Fraser: The winners won't be selected on the biggest budget or resource but rather on artistic, visual and creative elements. We will be looking for creative ways people put together their Christmas lights display, from DIY décor displays to unique ways to use fairy lights. We can't wait to see the dazzling displays communities across the country create this festive season.


Question: What have you done differently this Christmas when styling your house?

Alisa and Lysandra Fraser: This year we have created our own DIY Christmas décor. We have created a plywood Christmas tree that will sit out on the balcony. It's a great unique statement piece and a great conversation starter when you have family and friends over during the festive season.

Question: How do you get the kids involved in Christmas decorating?

Alisa and Lysandra Fraser: There are so many easy ways to get the kids involved at Christmas. Whether it's hanging baubles on the tree or decorating their own Christmas stockings. One of our favourite ways to get kids involved is with DIY Christmas decorations such as creating Dixie cup lights, the kids will love popping the fairy lights through coloured paper cups to make a gorgeous string of colourful Dixie Lights.


Question: How can we modernise Christmas lights?

Alisa and Lysandra Fraser: Gone are the days where if you wanted to use Christmas lights, your options were a string of lights and that's it. If you do a bit of investigating, you can now get solar powered lights and battery operated lights, which allows you to be able to use the lights in a more creative way. Traditionally Christmas lights came on a green string, but you can now also buy lights with a clear, white or copper string, which allows for a more seamless aesthetic for use indoors.

We wanted to create a more 'modern" Christmas tree and light display. So we have used a metallic pot, and filled it with rustic branches and fairy lights, to create something a little different. You could also spray paint some of the branches and pine cones a metallic copper or gold, to add some festive cheer, but also tie it in to some interior trends.


Question: What colour decoration are we seeing on most family trees, this year?

Alisa and Lysandra Fraser: Neutrals and Pastels are very in this season; we are seeing a shift from the big bright bold traditional greens and reds and are even integrating neutral and rustic tones as well as pastel blues, yellows and pinks. Another great trend is alternate Christmas trees, our favourite is the Plywood Christmas tree.


Question: Can you share your top tips for decorating the Christmas table?

Alisa and Lysandra Fraser: One of our favourite ways to decorate the Christmas table it with a sparkle fabric garland. We love burlap; it's neutral, rustic and not overly feminine. Cut the fabric into strips and tie each piece evenly onto string lights. Then, decorate a staircase, a dark corner or why not try placing it around a huge vase for the ultimate rustic-glam table centrepiece!

Question: What's on your Christmas wish list?

Alisa Fraser: A sleep-in! I always love a new plant and pot as greenery is essential in my home. I have just renovated my kitchen and adjoining patio, so some greenery out there will finish off the space nicely.

Lysandra Fraser: I love getting new beauty products or fragrances, but as we do a lot of travelling- I have been eyeing off some new luggage.


Interview by Brooke Hunter