One home’s ‘sweet little wonderland’ helps light up the holidays
It’s a “sweet little Wonderland,” one appreciative visitor called the decorations in Victor Pedroso’s front yard.
Once again, Pedroso has gone above and beyond to fill the night with light, and hope, during the holidays.
This is the eighth year he has taken on his project to bring joy to our community.
“So it all started when we purchased our first home in 2014. The concept started with the theme of Rudolph and the misfit toys,” Pedroso said.
“That year I put lights in hedges and it was very simple, but still fairly large. From there it only grew and grew as I enjoyed seeing the same people come year after year and comment on new items or changes.”
Now, the roof, the yard, the trees, just about everywhere, is filled with lights and inflatables. There are many Disney characters. There’s a new Nativity scene. Essential workers are thanked in a special display.
Often, Pedroso will be outside perfecting the display late at night.
“I will be out there at 2 a.m. or later working on trying to fix one bulb that might be out, and when it’s earlier, I get a kick out of folks that don’t realize I am there because they are so focused on lights. When I stand up, they get quite a startle,” he said.
Every year, he starts decorating in early November. Those who stop by for a visit often comment on social media. They are always filled with gratitude.
Neighbors who are near, and those who come from far away, say: “Love your enthusiasm and your spirit of Christmas. We need more people like you!” and “I love your decorations! They make me happy when I walk by your house.”
They bless him and his family for “lifting our hearts.”
Pedroso, 46, has been married for 15 years to Desiree. Their daughters are Alexis, 8, and Anastasia, 5.
“Needless to say, it started for the enjoyment of my two girls. From there it took off. My family says I am channeling my grandfather, Victor Pedroso the first, who used to love taking his grandkids around to see the lights.
“He loved Christmas and I guess I truly got that gene! I also like to tinker with it and change it up as a challenge to myself. In the end, it has grown year after year and I have learned tricks and techniques to make the lights symmetrical or at least try to make it that way.”
Perfecting the display is certainly a chance for him to unwind from his compliance examiner work with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
This year, he added more to his inflatable pathway, and he installed an extra circuit to his electric panel and additional outdoor outlets just for this section.
“I think people don’t realize that the walkway is there again this year because I changed it to nutcrackers instead of the candy canes,” Pedroso said.
“Once again, folks are welcome to walk through and see the new additions, as long as they respect one another’s space.”
In front of the house are displays with misfit toys, Elf on the Shelf, a lot of Rudolphs and reindeer, and a sled on the roof. He likes to fool with them, always trying to improve the holiday display.
“Obviously, the lights may be impacted by heavy rain, but I have been able to waterproof some of it,” he said. The inflatable are always inflated, he said.
“As always, a huge thank you goes to my amazing and beautiful wife and daughters for their support and patience.
“I love when some person I don’t know is driving by or walking by and they thank me for the Christmas spirit and for the hard work.
“I do it for my two girls, who know Santa and Christmas spirit must be real because ‘why would daddy do all this work if it wasn’t all true?!’”
The lights come on at sunset and go off at sunrise every day at the Pedroso house at 6140 SW 46th Terr. in Miami..
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