NATCHEZ &045; The cars slow down a little when they pass 217 Broadmoor Drive.

It takes more than just a passing glance to take in all the holiday wonder of Beatrice and Nathaniel Washington’s light display. And every year there’s something new.

The Washingtons’ holiday tradition started after their children moved away from home and the holidays became a little less hectic.

&uot;I guess it all started with me liking reindeer,&uot; Beatrice said.

One of the first reindeer in the display was a large wire framed animal with a moving head that cost about $98 when it was purchased a few years ago.

Now the display includes reindeer on the ground, reindeer in the sky and reindeer on the rooftop. All of the lights are white or blue.

One side of the yard features the reindeer and the secular holiday displays, while the other side has a lighted nativity scene. One of the more recent additions is a specially made &uot;Happy birthday Jesus&uot; sign.

Washington said the addition was important to her and completes what has become her favorite part of the display.

&uot;As you get older you put more emphasis on religion than other things,&uot; Washington said. &uot;That is the reason for the season.&uot;

Washington estimated that the first lights, the trim around the house, went up about six years ago. Now the display includes lights lining the driveway, on the shrubs and hanging from the house in addition to the freestanding forms in the yard.

She said prices of lights have gone down over the years but several of her displays cost quite a bit. She paid about $100 for the word &uot;Noel&uot; to hang on the side of the house.

&uot;It costs a lot I can assure you,&uot; she said.

The Washingtons start putting up the lights just after Thanksgiving and the process takes about two weeks, Beatrice said. Nathaniel, a contractor by day, does nearly all the work, but Beatrice said she tells him where everything goes.

Nathaniel is usually responsible for turning the lights on each night too, a process that includes six plugs located all the way around the house.

Beatrice said she has gotten plenty of calls about the lights and she frequently sees people stop and park on the side of the road to look at her house.

Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who come home for the holidays love the lights and take home videos back home to friends, Washington said.

&uot;Everybody tells me it’s very orderly,&uot; she said.

Next year the display will include snowballs and a lighted Santa.