By: Tanya Chang

Sports Editor

If you’ve ever driven around Los Gatos in December, you’ve likely seen the Arnaudo house glowing like something out of a Christmas movie. The display isn’t just bright; it’s magnetic. For Stephen Arnaudo, however, these decorations aren’t about competition, but about carrying on a tradition rooted in his childhood.

Arnaudo grew up in a home overflowing with Christmas spirit. He elaborated, “My dad always had a very organized set of decorations on the outside, and my mom had just as much on the inside” including a miniature village of 75 tiny houses. Outside, his father’s precise, symmetrical style shaped how Arnaudo learned to decorate. As Arnaudo thought about the years working side by side with his father, he reflected, “My dad influenced my style more than anyone.” Although, he noted, the memories that stuck with him weren’t just about the lights, they were about the moments. He remembers waking up early to decorate the house before heading to the town parade, then returning afterward only to keep working. Those long days on the roof with his dad became the foundation of his holiday tradition. 

Today, the Arnaudo display is a product of months of planning and years of experimentation. Arnaudo starts working in September, using his Halloween setup as a base before expanding into Christmas. The display now includes what he estimated to be 25,000 to 30,000 lights, plus smart Wi-Fi controls, a synchronized musical system, and inflatables. His creative process is constant: he tweaks angles, doubles decorations, and moves pieces until the layout feels right. This year’s addition includes a 12-foot singing snowman, a Bluey inflatable, and four computer-controlled talking trees. “I iterate every year,” he explained. “Something always gets changed once I’m actually out there.” Among the modern lights and technology, one decoration holds the most meaning to him, the blow-mold nativity scene his mother gave him. Arnaudo calls it his most important piece because it is a reminder of how deeply rooted these traditions are.

The display has also grown far beyond his yard. Neighbors walk over just to see what changed, friends stop by to help, and strangers drive by after hearing about the house. One of Arnaudo’s favorite stories involves a group visiting from Iowa who came to visit his house because a stranger in a restaurant insisted they couldn’t leave without seeing it. Over the years, the lights have even sparked friendships, where strangers become life-long best friends. Arnaudo confirmed, “It absolutely builds community and that’s one of the best parts.”

The tradition has now passed to the next generation. Eleven-year-old Isabella Arnaudo stated that her favorite thing about Christmas in her household: “Probably the decorations and the Christmas spirit. I really like all the lights.” Seven-year-old Leonardo Arnaudo added, “I like decorating the trees and watching Dad put everything up. And I like when my friends come down to see our house.”

Arnaudo hopes the display offers something simple but lasting. He shared, “I just want people to feel the Christmas spirit, socializing, and being happy.” Each year, as the lights switch on and the street brightens, the Arnaudo house does exactly that, turning one family’s tradition into something full of joy and cheer.