Elena and Virgilijus Miliauskai from the village of Krakiai, in the Mažeikiai district of northern Lithuania, begin preparing for Christmas as early as September. Not because they want to decorate ahead of everyone else, but because the sheer scale of their festive display takes time.
They have also learned from experience that it is best to install the lights early, as cables can become brittle and snap once temperatures drop sharply.
Each year in early December – this year on December 5 – the couple invite friends over for what has become a tradition: their own Christmas lights switch-on celebration. When the moment arrives, everything around their home lights up. Virgilijus has calculated that around 50,000 bulbs are illuminated, with the total length of garlands reaching an impressive seven kilometres.
From a single tree to a glowing garden
Elena says their enthusiasm for decorating grew after they moved from a flat into a house in 2006.
“In the flat, we just had a Christmas tree – that was it. Here, we gradually expanded, buying something new each year, either at markets or online,” she recalls. “Later, friends and colleagues started giving us decorations too. One year we realised everything no longer fitted inside the house – so we moved outdoors. Then we ran out of space in the garden and expanded beyond the fence,” she adds with a smile.
Although it might seem that such decorations are mainly adored by kids, the couple’s children now live separately. Elena and Virgilijus decorate for themselves – and for the visitors who come to admire the display.
Dragons, snowmen and other residents of the house
The main Christmas tree stands in the dining room. Elena, who chooses a different theme each year, this time decorated it in pastel colours, with baubles, ribbons and heart-shaped ornaments.
Another tree hangs from the ceiling, with baubles suspended beneath it and small reindeer figurines grazing below. For several years now, the family has added a new glass ornament symbolising the coming year.
“During Covid we were worried we wouldn’t be able to find the Tiger, but we managed,” Elena says. “We also have the Dragon, Ox, Rabbit, Snake and Rat – and this year, a little horse for the year ahead.”
In addition to these, the house is filled with smaller decorative trees and themed areas: a white “northern corner” with snowmen, zones dedicated to gnomes, miniature houses and reindeer. Elena refers to all the figurines as the home’s “residents” – and admits she has never counted how many there are.
She is responsible for arranging everything inside the house, which includes the open-plan kitchen and dining area, hallway and corridors.
“I ask my husband if it looks right, but he told me to stop asking because I’ll change it the next day anyway,” she laughs. Despite appearances, not all decorations are used – some remain packed away in boxes in the attic.
A decorative fireplace in the dining room, built by a family friend last year, adds to the festive atmosphere.
140 animals – and counting
Outdoors, the decorating is largely Virgilijus’ domain. Over the years, he has installed around 500 sockets in the garden to power the display. All cables are securely fixed and hidden to ensure visitors do not trip, and residual current devices have been installed for safety.
Electricity bills do rise after the lights are switched on, but this is offset by solar panels installed on the roof. Their children have also helped programme the system so that the outdoor decorations switch on at around 16:30 and turn off automatically at 22:00.
On the balcony stands a three-metre-tall snowman. The garden features nine large decorations and around 140 smaller reindeer, elk and other figures. Beyond the fence are a further 21 decorations, including a carriage, a horse, a Christmas tree and characters from The Nutcracker – the ballerina, the mouse, and the nutcracker himself.
A remote home that draws visitors
Although the Miliauskai home is located about seven kilometres from the town of Mažeikiai and is not visible from the main road, it still attracts visitors – from friends and family to complete strangers who have heard about the display or seen it on social media.
Last Christmas Eve, Elena recalls, she and her husband were surprised when someone rang their gatebell. “We thought no one would come out on Christmas Eve, but a man arrived with his elderly mother. After dinner, they decided to drive all the way from Kretinga just to see our garden.”
One visitor even asked if they could rent the house for a New Year’s Eve celebration – a request the couple declined. Still, they say the attention is gratifying.
“We don’t decorate just for ourselves,” Elena explains. “Winters nowadays are often dark, gloomy and wet. Christmas lights brighten the surroundings – and make everyone feel a little happier.”
The decorations usually stay in place until mid-January.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
