Hugo, at the tender age of four, steps into the festive wonderland at the residence of Montse and Alfonso and his expression transforms. His eyes widen with astonishment and a smile breaks across his face as he leaps in jubilation, clinging to his mother Cristina. His reaction mirrors that of any child who beholds the enchanting paradise that has just unfolded before him—an extraordinary realm where gnomes and elves are joined by Santa Claus, reindeer, gift-laden trees, and even a miniature aircraft.
The renowned couple’s home in Acorán has been metamorphosed into a museum of enchantment during this festive season for the past five years, a place where children craft their dreams into the pages of an unending tale, while adults reminisce over fond memories of a childhood both distant and cherished. “When the children step inside, they are left speechless, mesmerised. Their expressions tell the whole story, and many adults find themselves moved to tears as they revisit Christmases gone by,” explains Montse to this publication.
This Thursday saw the unveiling of the townhouse’s Christmas decorations, a spectacle that is a delight to behold and savour, distinguished by the sheer abundance and diversity of elements presented to visitors, but most notably for the coherence and balance in the arrangement of decorations, lights, and hues. “We carefully distribute points of interest and pay attention to every detail,” emphasised the homeowner, a former furniture craftsman and decorator, who noted that the materials were sourced from local businesses throughout Tenerife.
This year, the Acorán Christmas House has undergone a complete refurbishment of its decorations. The focal point is a tree brimming with large presents in the garden area, complemented by flying figures, a slide emerging from one of the upper windows, a sleigh drawn by four reindeer, and a dedicated space for the gnomes. Additionally, at the entrance, a small plane piloted by Santa Claus is flanked by three snowmen welcoming guests alongside two mailboxes, one for Santa Claus and the other for the Three Wise Men.
Alfonso, a retired educator, emphasises the “immense effort” required to transform their home into a mini theme park each Christmas. “Since February, we have been crafting, purchasing, and gathering materials, and by October, we commence with the assembly,” he describes. “It’s an overwhelming workload and we are getting on,” Montse adds. Their relentless dedication over the months to prepare their home for this festive period and to host visitors, “as was traditionally done in the Canary Islands,” is beginning to weigh on them, and they have decided this enchanting five-year chapter must draw to a close. “This will be our final year,” they declare. When the three kings make their journey back to the East on January 6, the couple will joyfully mark the end of this chapter.
The house is open for visits from Thursday to Sunday, between 6:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. “Last year, following the publication by DIARIO DE AVISOS, it was mayhem, with lines forming daily and people arriving from across the Island, including Gran Canaria, La Gomera, and even some tourists who read about us online. We struggled to accommodate everyone,” Montse reminisces, urging visitors this year to park their vehicles on Acorán Street rather than at the entrance to alleviate disturbance to the neighbours.
The kindness of the Tenerife couple goes beyond simply opening their doors during this season. For the children who venture into this whimsical cartoon palace, a tree overflowing with sweets awaits them in the main hall. Adults, in addition to indulging in nostalgia, will be greeted with an atmosphere of positivity. “With so much conflict and so many tragedies that we witness on television, the world needs more positive energy than ever. That’s why we encourage our visitors to kindle the flame of hope, at least during Christmas, for everyone’s benefit and as a tribute to those who have departed,” adds Montse.
As our discussion winds down, Hugo remains enthusiastic, bouncing around the garden, weaving between Christmas trees, stroking Santa Claus in his sleigh, greeting the gnomes and decorations in the windows, peering into the mailboxes to check for letters, daydreaming of soaring in the little plane, utterly enchanted by the “gift factory” crafted by Montse and Alfonso. One wonders who will explain to him next year that the Christmas haven has reverted to a standard townhouse in Acorán.
