MISSISSAUGA James Alderson has a problem. Like many technophiles, once he starts tinkering with something, it's hard to reel him back in.

A shining example of this is the outside of his Mississauga home, where the front yard has been transformed into a miniature cavalcade of Christmas lights.

And it's not just the 10,000 bulbs that leave passersby in awe, it's also how they're used.

By dialing into an FM radio station that works in front of the house, you can watch the gingerbread men, penguins, Christmas trees and pink flamingos come to life in an animated light show set to classic holiday tunes.

Alderson began working on the display in September, building many of the fixtures himself. He estimates he has put about 350 hours of labour into the project.

"It's an addiction; a very intense hobby," he said. "It's awesome when the kids come by and they go, 'Wow, that's cool,' - that's really what it is (all about)."

To create the elaborate holiday display, Alderson used technology to choreograph the lights from a computerized lighting company called Light-O-Rama. The company's message board is filled with thousands of fellow techies swapping tips and ideas with one another.

Admission to the show, which lasts about 25 minutes, is free. However, Alderson asks that viewers donate non-perishable food items to the collection barrel on his lawn for the Mississauga Food Bank as well as unwrapped toys.

So far, he's collected over 30 pounds of food donations.

Next year, Alderson is considering upping the ante: "I'd like to go to 20,000 lights, but, as soon as my wife finds out, I'm sure the speed brakes will be put on that one."

Shows run Mondays to Thursdays from 6-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6-11 p.m. until Dec. 31.

The house is located on 2397 Delkus Cres. in the Cawthra Rd. and Queensway area.