LOS ANGELES — While the holidays inspire some to decorate outside, Luis Partida spent the last couple of decades decorating and building his own village conveniently located inside his living room.

“I went to the 99 cents store, and I started looking for stuff, having ideas. What can I do?” he said.

Those inspirational trips all started back in the 1990s, when Partida says his family ran a preschool. At first, he began decorating for the kids. Now, he’s constantly looking for ways to make his Santa’s Christmas Village even more magical for his own family.

“I feel happy doing this,” he said.

Partida explained that for the last five years, he took a break from designing his village, which takes about two weeks to set up. But the separation during the COVID-19 pandemic revived his holiday spirit and brought his handmade family tradition back on track — this time, with more handmade decorations using hangers, spoons and string to create light poles and a Styrofoam ice chest to create the tunnels.

The village also features a miniature circus, remote-controlled train and other attractions. Once the village is ready, Partida's daughter Evelyn Lansing and her son Owen get a front row seat to the magic.

“I love to take part in it. It’s something I believe that they’ll always remember their grandparents for,” Lansing said.

For Owen, it’s a family moment he looks forward to sharing.

"I like to help out with these decorations, the train," he said. "I think I will keep the tradition going for a very long time."

Hearing that phrase might have been the magic words to revive Partida’s holiday spirit.

"That makes me feel good," he said. "That’s why I want to set it up more and more times."

It's an inspiration that makes the holidays brighter for the whole family.