Islander Bonnie Nelson has been building elaborate gingerbread houses for 57 years, ever since her oldest son was two years old. Though her son is gone now, Nelson continues to find joy with her confection creations, staging whimsical scenes such this year’s wintry diorama of chocolate Santas enjoying a day of play in their own winter wonderland.

“I do that for fun because it gives me joy at Christmas time, because I have sorrow,” said Nelson. “I do everything I can to be happy.”

Last year, Nelson built a tall Ferris wheel with a different Santa Claus along for the ride in every seat. This year, they take turns on a swing set and teeter-totter. She has been using the same pattern to create her shapes since the 1960s, pulled from the pages of a newspaper. To Nelson, they’ve kept their magic every year.

“I made them for my kids; they’re just fun for me,” she said. But Nelson’s neighbors at JG Commons get to enjoy them as well. Her most recent cookie cul-de-sac is prominently on display for everyone to see. It took a whopping 22 hours to bring to fruition.

“The day after New Year’s, we’re going to put it up on the table, and everybody gets to pull the gingerbread house apart,” said Nelson.