Lords’ Christmas Wonderland
• Donna and Rick de Nooyer have created a Christmas Wonderland at Lords Hotel to raise money for suicide prevention and men’s mental health.
By Taylor Clyne
November 20, 2019
In a utopia you’ve got to see to believe, all your Christmas fairy tales will come to life at the inaugural Christmas Wonderland created by Donna and Rick de Nooyer at Lords Hotel.
The couple have lots of experience creating festive cheer after owning a Christmas Shop in Brisbane for four years before relocating to Scottsdale 18 months ago.
“Our passion is Christmas and bringing joy to people and families because, for some, Christmas can be a really sad time with loved ones lost.
“I thought, well, let’s make Scottsdale a happy place,” Donna said.
The detailed wonderland, which opens tonight, will raise money via a gold coin donation on the door for suicide prevention and men’s mental health.
“We chose the charity Movember and want to try and raise as much money as possible while spreading cheer to those who come.”
Donna and Rick have been busily working on the space since February and have transformed the huge function room at the back of Lords Hotel into a Christmas dream.
“The fact that the Advertiser is running a Christmas Light Competition too, its great and will complement each other, bringing more people into the area.
“They might come for the weekend and eat at different places. It’s only going to be good for the region.”
The wonderland features many different Christmas themes with a snow machine, north pole village, elves, lights and so much more.
“Santa will be making many visits and he will be answering children’s letters, and we will have a letterbox for children to pop them in outside during the day or inside at night when they visit,” Donna said.
Lords’ own chef Wade Fordham hand painted one of the walls to help create the north pole village which looks spectacular at night.
“We’re lucky to have help from Wade and a special thanks to Kristy Brown and Astra Gray too.”
The wonderland officially opens tonight, November 20, and will stay open between the hours of 7.30pm – 10pm every night until Christmas eve.
“We are so looking forward to the community’s reaction and hope they will support our fundraising drive for Movember,” Donna said.
