He explains that they usually settle on a theme during the summer.
“From there, we start drawing it out, figure out what we can make versus purchase and set up a game plan for the build-out.” Then the work begins. Over the years, they’ve created magic with wood, foam board, bikes, motorcycles, astroturf, mannequins, costumes and other bits and pieces.
Following Super Mario, the family decided to honor a favorite movie, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Inspired by the iconic scene in which the alien and the kids fly through the air on bicycles, the Milam crew got busy.
“We built a life-sized sleigh with Santa being pulled by five bikes, with each kid dressed as they were in the movie. E.T. was in Elliott’s basket, lighting up his finger, playing off on the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer concept.”
Year No. 3 was something completely different. Are you old enough to remember stunt performer Evel Knievel and his daredevil jump at Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas?
“We built a ramp and found a motorcycle of a similar type and year to the one Evel jumped. We painted a helmet and made an outfit similar to the original jump. The bike appears to be mid-jump about 3/4 off the ramp. In his hand, he has a Christmas tree star. On the other side of the yard, we built a 20-foot Christmas tree. So we were attempting to portray Evel jumping a ramp to put the star on the Christmas tree.”
The theme the following year was an homage to firefighting.
“Through a combination of wood cutouts and flame-colored light bulbs, we made it appear our house was on fire, and Santa was stuck in the chimney. I rented an old fire truck from the Hispanic Firefighter Association and parked it in front of the house. We had four firefighters squirting water (Christmas lights), attempting to put out the fire.”
And then there was last year, the very popular Putt Putt golf course right on the Milams’ front lawn. Each of the six holes, to the delight of folks who stopped by to play, displayed a different holiday theme.
So, Milam family, what’s in store for this year? Indiana Jones. Borrowing iconic scenes from three of the action-adventure movies, Indy will be running away from the giant boulder in Raiders of the Lost Ark. In the Milams’ yard, it could be an 8-foot-tall Christmas ornament.
Expect a punny take on the Temple of Doom scene when the villain removes a still-beating heart during a ritual. And from The Last Crusade, the storyline of choosing the wrong grail becomes, in the Milams’ scene, a white elephant exchange.
As much work as it is each year, the Milams wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Honestly, one of the best things about building these decorations is being able to bring a smile to someone’s face,” Mike reflects. “In my career, I have to manage some of the most difficult and daunting situations imaginable. I don’t have the luxury of joy on a day-to-day basis. This gives me an opportunity to bring joy.”
Mike and his family feel a responsibility to support and give back to their neighborhood and community.
“Last year, when we had the golf course each day, we would have children, old and young adults, playing golf in our front yard. I met neighbors, shared hot cocoa with strangers and watched families spend time together during the holiday season. We witnessed laughter, singing and togetherness. It might be silly, but I think our decorations are our act of kindness to the neighborhood we love so much.”