Miniature Christmas on the west Mountain

For as long as she can remember - perhaps 50 years - Lina Fortino has given over her living room to a miniature version of Christmas.

What began with a simple nativity scene, honouring the birth of Jesus, has grown into a series of tableaus that celebrate the season.

The display, which Fortino begins assembling in November, takes about two weeks to come to life. It stretches from wall to wall in her west Mountain home, and is even starting to inch down an adjacent wall as she adds characters and buildings.

The initial nativity scene came from Italy. Although Fortino made a large church and another structure, most of the figures and buildings have been added by her or family members to fill out the various vignettes. She has even created a running water feature.

And despite the joy it brings Fortino, it has provided the same experience for her kids, and their children as well. A few years ago, her granddaughter's fiance was proposed to in front of the display, the ring hiding in the manger.

It's for the grandkids now," says Fortino. I carry on. It's my tradition."

Barry Gray is a Hamilton-based photojournalist at The Spectator. Reach him via email: bgray@thespec.com