Bendigo households will be adorned with Christmas lights and decorations in the lead-up to December 25 to brighten the lives of all of us, following almost two years of living with the COVID-19 pandemic.

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To help promote the festive cheer, Hume & Iser Mitre 10 have set up a six-metre inflatable Santa Claus in its Charleston Rd store.

It has resulted in a number of the giant Santas being sold to impressed customers, along with Christmas lights and other gifts to decorate the house.

The hardware store's company director Steve Iser and new chief executive officer David Pontell are encouraging people to be involved in the Christmas Lights displays.

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Mr Pontell said it was a way to bring some joy into people's lives after a morbid year with the pandemic and it was also chance to be with family and friends again post-lockdown.

Mr Pontell, who previously worked at Hume & Iser Mitre 10 for 20 years, has returned to the Bendigo business after a 10-year hiatus which saw him employed at Boral in Melbourne.

"Coming from a corporation to a family business is a big change but it's good to be back, and this time of year is always good," Mr Pontell said.

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Hume & Iser Mitre 10 is awarding gift cards for the best Christmas lights with vouchers worth $350, $150 and $50 on offer.

Households wishing to be included on the Christmas Lights Street Map, to be printed in the Bendigo Advertiser on Saturday, December 11, and again on Saturday, December 18, should email their address and details to addynews@austcommunitymedia.com.au

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