The miniature Swiss Village, nestled all over the Hauert's living room, sparks the couple's memories of Switzerland and brings joy to the children and adults who see it.
Dozens of wooden Swiss chalets, churches, cathedrals, ice skating rinks, ski lifts and window boxes brimming with flowers add to Nick and Regina Hauert's collection.The Hauerts have opened up their Holladay home during the holidays to let others see their collection.
"The kids especially love it," Regina Hauert said.
Nick Hauert began the collection in 1951 - shortly after moving to the United States from Switzerland - by purchasing six or seven miniature houses and a church. He has added to the collection every year, he said.
The Hauerts play a game with the children by having them find the newest addition to the collection.
"They can always pick out at least one new thing," Regina Hauert said.
The couple travels to Switzerland often to visit family members. They also recently returned from their second time serving in the Swiss Temple Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Replicas of Swiss trains, houses that are actual reproductions of Swiss chalets and ski lifts that run just as the real ones do, cause the couple to reminisce of places they have been and things they have done while in Switzerland.
The couple has debated whether to set up the villages permanently in the basement but decided to keep them in the more spacious living room between Thanksgiving and New Years.
The Hauerts now take donations from visitors for the American Cancer Society. The couple has lost friends and relatives to cancer and have served as volunteers for the society.
"All those who have come have been affected one way or another, whether they have had cancer themselves or known someone who has," Regina Hauert said.
"When asked if we would have a party for a purpose, we said, `You bet!' " she said.
The Hauerts said they are willing to show their collection as many times as there are people interested.
"We would like to have others enjoy it," Regina Hauert said.