Yellowknife (Dec 17/03) - Walking into Dale and Arthur Boutilier's living room is like walking into a winter wonderland.

Golden garlands line the ceiling, nativity scenes adorn table after table and there are more ornamental Santa Clauses than you can shake a stake of holly at. "We love to put up Christmas decorations," said Dale, an X-ray technician at Stanton Territorial Hospital.

It takes at least a day to set up the living room, said Dale, which is a massive space with vaulted ceilings. She said one of the biggest challenges is not breaking the ornaments, which can be extremely fragile.

"You have to be really careful," Dale said, pointing to a small, metallic Santa Clause without legs.

One of the most original pieces in the room is an upside down birch tree, which Dale and Arthur adorn with tinsel and ornaments.

"That can be a challenge to decorate because the tinsel can fall off really easily," said Dale.

Unlike most houses though, you won't find any electric lights on the couple's pine tree, primarily because Arthur worries they may spark a fire.

But the tree, with reflective balls and tinsel, still reflects a shine from the overhead lights, giving it an understated elegance.

For eleven months of the year, Arthur and Dale need to find a place to store their burgeoning collection. "Half of our shelf space in the basement is devoted to Christmas ornaments," joked Dale.

But despite space limitations, Dale has no plans to stop collecting.

"I remember doing this stuff as a kid," said Dale. "For me, this is the fun part of Christmas.

Both Arthur and Dale like to entertain friends, but stress the main reason they decorate is for themselves.

"It give us a nice, spiritual feeling," said Arthur.

But when it comes time to take down the decorations -- usually in early January -- it can be a little disheartening, said Dale.

"The room looks so bare."