The Christmas Spirit Lights Up This Peachtree Corners Neighborhood

The Mraz house has long been known for the wonderful display of Christmas lights in their Peachtree Station neighborhood.

For the past 20 years Chuck and Marilyn Mraz, assisted by their extended family, have decked out their home with colorful holiday lighted decorations. That tradition has also brought a steady stream of traffic driving by to view their home during the Christmas season.

Sightseers wonder at the array of decorations that fill the Mraz' front lawn. There are Christmas trees made out of lights, a family of swans next to a pond, lighted characters like deer, polar bears, penquins and snowmen. A bright pink flamingo has been added to the menagerie this year thanks to Marilyn's brother who found it in a shop in Ohio and had it shipped down.

Another addition this year is a sign they imported all the way from China that provides a count down to Christmas. "The sign counts down the day, the hour, the minute and the second," noted Marilyn Mraz. "It's all syncronized so we know it's right."

The Mraz family decided this year they needed to find a way to capitalize on the steady stream of cars that will no doubt pass by again this year.

"We always have a lot of traffic going by to see the light display and for this reason the children in our neighborhood have asked if they could set up a hot chocolate stand and give out hot chocolate in return for donations for Norcross Cooperative Ministries," said Marilyn Mraz. "Of course, we think it's a great idea and are very proud of these young kids for wanting to do something like this."

The Mraz family including Rory (10) and Bridget (13) Doran, Evan (8) and Carter (5) Macrenaris, Bella (8) and Garrett (10) Murray, Owen (6) and Jack (8) Stephenson, Julia (11) and Leah (14) Thompson, Hannah (7) and Andrew (5) Schemmel have been working all week baking cookies and brownies to hand out to those who make a donation.

Marilyn Mraz said that they're also expecting a special visit from Santa Claus who will help the kids with their efforts to collect donations.

If you haven't yet discovered Chuck and Marilyn Mraz's brightly lit home, stop by Friday night, Dec. 23 between 6:30 - 8:30 and enjoy the wonderful display. The're located at 5672 Bloomindale Court in the Peachtree Station neighborhood.