From London’s Oxford Street, to the Champs-Elysee in Paris or the Rockefeller Center in New York, the world’s greatest cities spare no expense for Christmas.
While the festive season in Australia lacks snow, sleighs and reindeer, there is usually no shortage of Christmas cheer – until this year.
Sydney City Council was able to find the funds to cover the city in rainbow bunting and Yes flags for the same-sex marriage plebiscite, but not for Christmas lights.
From London’s Oxford Street, to the Champs-Elysee in Paris or the Rockefeller Center in New York, the world’s greatest cities spare no expense for Christmas (pictured is Oxford Street in London)
While the festive season in Australia lacks snow, sleighs and reindeer, there is usually no shortage of Christmas cheer – until this year (pictured is Regent Street in London)
Sydney City Council was able to find the funds to cover the city in rainbow bunting and Yes flags for the same-sex marriage plebiscite, but not for Christmas lights (pictured is the Elysee Palace in Paris)
Martin Place – normally lit up for locals and tourists alike – has one solitary tree, a bizarre light show, dull flags and no music (pictured is the Rockefeller Centre in New York City)
In Tokyo, city officials create a wonderland of lights and Christmas tree features that draw crowds of people (pictured)
The newly-opened section of George Street (pictured) outside the Queen Victoria Building has arches lit like bows on presents and lights cover Pitt Street Mall
Martin Place – normally lit up for locals and tourists alike – has one solitary tree, a bizarre light show, dull flags and no music.
The newly-opened section of George Street outside the Queen Victoria Building has arches lit like bows on presents and lights cover Pitt Street Mall.
Tourists can be seen making the most of the disappointing decorations, but one wonders whether they regret choosing to spend Christmas in Sydney.
North of the bridge and it is a similar story in Mosman, with one of the city’s richest councils spending a pittance on dressing up their neighbourhood.
Mosman homes such as this one stand in stark contrast to the council decorations nearby
Tourists can be seen making the most of the disappointing decorations, but one wonders whether they regret choosing to spend Christmas in Sydney (pictured is Martin Place in Sydney)
North of the bridge and it is a similar story in Mosman, with one of the city’s richest councils spending a pittance on dressing up their neighbourhood (pictured is Mosman Council)
Spit Road is hung with small banners saying ‘Merry Christmas’ and two solitary trees have yellow fairy lights hung on them
The council building (pictured) is decorated with garlands and a few small trees – one of which is not lit up – while a slightly larger tree sits in the doorway with a nativity scene
This is one of two trees decorated with fairy lights by Mosman Council for Christmas this year
The council building is decorated with garlands and a few small trees – one of which is not lit up – while a slightly larger tree sits in the doorway with a nativity scene.
Spit Road is hung with small banners saying ‘Merry Christmas’ and two solitary trees have yellow fairy lights hung on them.
The city’s only saving grace is its suburban homes, where families have gone all out in competition for their streets’ most festive houses.
In Mosman alone the home-made decorations put the local council’s efforts to shame, with magnificent lights and elaborate backyard creations.
Martin Place looks gloomy and dark in the lead up to Christmas, hanging banners the only sign of the festive season
A spokesperson from Mosman Council admitted to Daily Mail Australia the council spends very little on Christmas decorations (pictured is the council building)
No carols could be heard in Martin Place (pictured) with the only sounds coming from this busker
This is the second tree decorated with fairy lights by Mosman Council, leaving the area feeling distinctly un-Christmassy
Sydney City Council installed a light show, but it is a far cry form displays in other world capitals (pictured is Martin Place in Sydney)
The city’s only saving grace is its suburban homes, where families have gone all out in competition for their streets’ most festive houses (pictured are Mosman residents enjoying their neighbours’ decorations)
A spokesperson from Mosman Council admitted to Daily Mail Australia the council spends very little on Christmas decorations.
‘While Mosman Council shares the festive spirit by decorating our main building and displaying street banners, council takes a very conservative approach by recycling decorations from year-to-year,’ the spokesperson said.
‘Our street banners along our main roads had to be replaced this year at a cost of $4,165 (including installation) while additional garland was purchased for the Civic Centre’s exterior decorations at $320 (plus installation costs of $1,743.78).’
In Mosman alone the home-made decorations put the local council’s efforts to shame, with magnificent lights and elaborate backyard creations (pictured is a Mosman home)
The low budget for decorations comes after the council voted against erecting a Christmas tree in Mosman Square in 2015(pictured is a Mosman home)
The plan was knocked back after fierce debate, with one councillor saying he was disappointed in the ‘bah humbug’ attitude of those who voted against (pictured is a Mosman home)
Those pushing for the tree and more fairy lights in trees had hoped to help the area lose its ‘Grinch’ reputation, but the majority disagreed (pictured is a Mosman home)
The low budget for decorations comes after the council voted against erecting a Christmas tree in Mosman Square in 2015.
The plan was knocked back after fierce debate, with one councillor saying he was disappointed in the ‘bah humbug’ attitude of those who voted against.
Those pushing for the tree and more fairy lights in trees had hoped to help the area lose its ‘Grinch’ reputation, but the majority disagreed.
Residents certainly had enough money to spend on sprucing up their homes for Christmas, making the council decorations look shabby in comparison(pictured is a Mosman home)
. From blow-up gingerbread houses and huge Santa Clauses to delicate models of reindeer, the leafy streets have come alive just in time for Christmas (pictured is a Mosman home)
This Mosman house is decorated with an Australian animal replacing the traditional reindeer
Now that’s a light show! This Mosman home was totally covered with hundreds of fairy lights
Mosman Council’s financial statements from 2017 reveal the council had revenue amounting to more than $51million, resulting in a total comprehensive income of almost $8million a year.
The suburb is one of Sydney’s richest, with a median house price of $3,650,000 as of April 2017.
Residents certainly had enough money to spend on sprucing up their homes for Christmas, making the council decorations look shabby in comparison.
From blow-up gingerbread houses and huge Santa Clauses to delicate models of reindeer, the leafy streets have come alive just in time for Christmas.
Ho ho ho! A massive blow-up Father Christmas was on display outside this Mosman mansion
Local resident in Mosman picked up the slack after the council spent a pittance on decorations
Oh Christmas Palm Tree, how evergreen your branches! A creative use of local trees indeed
This home mixed tradition and Australiana – how many Aussie items can you spot in this display?