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Look inside the most decorated Christmas home we've ever seen in Dallas

Jennifer Houghton spent 26 days decorating for Christmas. She started Nov. 4 -- after spending four days pulling her Halloween decorations down -- and finished Nov. 30.

But she's never really finished, anyhow. "I'm always tweaking!" she says. Her five-bedroom, nine-bathroom University Park home has to be the most decorated home we've ever seen in Dallas at Christmastime.

Jennifer Houghton spent 26 days decorating her University Park home for Christmas in 2017.
Jennifer Houghton spent 26 days decorating her University Park home for Christmas in 2017.(Alison Worthen)

In each room of her sprawling home, Houghton focuses on a new theme, whether that's classic gold and red in the living room or pink trees and gingerbread men in the kitchen. She counts three large trees and four small ones inside her home.

But that's nothing compared to the 45,000 lights she has, inside and out.

Houghton uses many of the same decorations every year but says she never decorates a room the same as she did the year before.

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Houghton offered a few tips for a novice decorator who aspires to go big on Christmas:

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"Start small, only purchase or DIY items that make you smile and then add to them as you see more items you love," she says. "Select a theme for your room and then have fun finding treasures in that theme."

See more of Houghton's work on Instagram at @turtlecreeklane or on her blog.

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Take a look through her University Park home decked out in Christmas decorations. It's a treasure hunt all its own:

The front door shows a glimpse of what's inside

Jennifer Houghton's home has 45,000 Christmas lights inside and out.
Jennifer Houghton's home has 45,000 Christmas lights inside and out.(Alison Worthen)
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Come on in! Here's the foyer

This year, the foyer in Jennifer Houghton's home in University Park was decorated with...
This year, the foyer in Jennifer Houghton's home in University Park was decorated with Tiffany blue and red Christmas decorations.(Alison Worthen)
Here's a close-up of some of the presents under the tree.
Here's a close-up of some of the presents under the tree.(Alison Worthen)
Seems Santa's been in the foyer in Jennifer Houghton's home in University Park.
Seems Santa's been in the foyer in Jennifer Houghton's home in University Park.(Alison Worthen)

In the family room, the couch is wearing a special Christmas tutu

The family room at Jennifer Houghton's home in University Park turned into a Christmas...
The family room at Jennifer Houghton's home in University Park turned into a Christmas candyland this year.(Alison Worthen)
This time of year, the couch gets a special tutu.
This time of year, the couch gets a special tutu.(Alison Worthen)

The kitchen is home to a family of gingerbread men

The kitchen at Jennifer Houghton's University Park home
The kitchen at Jennifer Houghton's University Park home (Alison Worthen)
These gingerbread men look at home at Jennifer Houghton's house at Christmastime.
These gingerbread men look at home at Jennifer Houghton's house at Christmastime.(Alison Worthen)
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Even the mantle above the stove gets decorated.
Even the mantle above the stove gets decorated.(Alison Worthen)

The decadent dining room is called the Land of the Sweets

The table is already set.
The table is already set.(Alison Worthen)
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The living room offers Christmas glam

She makes many of the Christmas decorations herself.
She makes many of the Christmas decorations herself.(Alison Worthen)

The breakfast room reminds us: We really need a breakfast room...

In the breakfast room at Jennifer Houghton's home in University Park, Rudolph the red-nosed...
In the breakfast room at Jennifer Houghton's home in University Park, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer gets his moment.(Alison Worthen)
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Each family member has a spot.
Each family member has a spot.(Alison Worthen)
This reindeer in the breakfast room at Jennifer Houghton's home in University Park comes...
This reindeer in the breakfast room at Jennifer Houghton's home in University Park comes with a crown of candles.(Alison Worthen)
Many of Jennifer Houghton's pillows, chairs and couches get re-upholstered at Christmastime.
Many of Jennifer Houghton's pillows, chairs and couches get re-upholstered at Christmastime.(Alison Worthen)