Deep into Main Street in Wayland, there is a house that overflows with holiday cheer. Wayland residents Lesley Stewart and Alistair Stewart decided that each year it would be their mission to deck out their house in festive holiday decorations. Whether someone is walking around town or driving through Wayland, it’s nearly impossible to miss the extravagant decorations on the Stewarts house, with each item having a story of its own. From lights to inflatables to candy canes leading up the driveway, they have made it clear that their favorite time of year is present.

Fifteen years ago marks the time when this tradition started. When the Stewarts moved to Wayland, they uncovered a profound feeling of holiday spirit that would stick with them for years to come. While driving around in the neighborhood, they spotted a house that was covered in decorations and they decided to adapt this as a tradition of their own. Not only do they do this in December but they decorate in October too, for Halloween.

“We saw a really nice house in Lincoln that gave us inspiration and we thought it would be fun to do the same for the people that walk [on the] the aqueduct,” A. Stewart said.

When they first started decorating, the root of all these decorations were from classic Christmas movies such as “Frosty the Snowman” or “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” The universal characters provide a charismatic feel to the decorations that make them naturally appealing to young kids. The Stewart’s make clear that their children, Henry Stewart and Elizabeth Stewart, play a big role in keeping this tradition alive and exciting.

With many grand decorations in their yards, new favorites come into the mix as years go on. Knowing that their neighbor’s and many other residents in Wayland get to admire their decorations is a fun and exciting way to channel their holiday spirit each year.

“My favorite is the rotating gingerbread man,” A. Stewart said. “A lot of what we do is for our neighbors. We throw fun things up so [that] they can enjoy it too.”

Each year the Stewart’s buy more decorations to add on to their intense collection. Every individual piece of decor comes with a big bill. Not only do the Stewarts have to spend thousands of dollars to make a winter wonderland come to life, but they also put in hours of dedication to making their house look perfect.

Part of the reason the Stewarts strive for creating bigger and bigger displays each year is due to A. Stewart moving to the United States from England. The holidays in England look different then here in the U.S., as the U.S. is known for their passionate holiday spirit and bright decorations.

“I think that [moving here from England] may have been part of the appeal [to decorate each year] because this was an opportunity to create something that totally differed from what he was used to back in England,” L. Stewart said.

The family of four never fails to have their arrangement set up and complete by Dec. 1 of each and every year. But when the new year begins, the big group of inflatables, lights, and signs come down on Jan. 6.

The tradition every holiday season brings the Stewarts joy, as it’s a fun activity that brings their family together while they get to buy more and more decorations every year and grow their collection. Having an annual tradition in Wayland brings happiness to the Stewart family as well as lots of passers who spot their extravagant house.

“Adding something new each year keeps it fun and the kids each choose something to add,” L. Stewart said.