HUDSON, N.H. -- Decorating one's home for the holidays is a tradition that many families enjoy. But, for Hudson residents Marc Mousseau and his stepfather, Paul Roy, the tradition has become a passion that has ventured into the extreme.

Mousseau's home at 75 Pelham Road could be characterized as a "winter wonderland."
With about 140,000 lights covering dozens of wire-framed designs, it's easily one of the most decorated homes in the region.

"This is something we like to do and enjoy," Mousseau said. "It's basically done for the kids, and adults like it too."

Mousseau, a 35-year-old carpenter for the National Park Service in Lowell, started the tradition eight years ago when he moved into town. However, it wasn't until his mother, Claudette, and stepfather moved into the in-law apartment at his home four years ago that the decorations started to expand dramatically.

"It's really more of a hobby for me," Mousseau said, "but it's my stepfather who shops a lot."

Roy, a 66-year-old retired Air Force administration officer, took his passion for exterior illumination to the next level when he started researching Christmas displays on the Internet.

After visiting PlanetChristmas.com, a how-to Web site on creating great Christmas displays, Roy convinced Mousseau to attend two conferences for lights enthusiasts.
The two visited Nashville, in July 2003 and Pigeon Forge, Tenn., this past July for the Planet Christmas Lights Up Symposium (PLUS) and took seminars on understanding electricity, building frames and balancing loads.

With their newfound knowledge, Mousseau and Roy, with the help of Mousseau's uncle Norm Cote, came up with the idea for themed sections of the lawn.

"We just don't want to pile things out there," Roy said. "We have a plan."

The lawn currently features a North Pole, Toy Land and Hawaiian displays, among others, and includes giant wire-framed gingerbread men, musical elves and a helicopter.

With the massive number of lights they are working with, Mousseau and Roy start setting up the displays on Oct. 30 for a Thanksgiving eve finish. They then go out on the lawn nearly every night to talk with observers and make sure safety is maintained along the main road. The lights will be on until Dec. 26.

"We have probably reached a limit," Roy said, "but we will substitute some things for next year and add a few pieces if we can."

This year any donations received will go to CHIPS, a nonprofit program that creates a positive relationship between Hudson children and law enforcement.

"We don't do this because of the cost," Mousseau said when asked what his electric bill is. "We do it because it's nice to see the faces of the people."

"We're going to do it as long as we can," Roy said.

Additional photos and more information on the lights display can be seen on Mousseu's and Roy's Web site, HudsonChristmas.com.