How does this family celebrate holidays? For the whole neighborhood!

Drive near Cornwell Avenue and you’re likely to see a home decked out in red, white and blue splendor. Inflatable eagles and rocket ships greet passersby from the lawn, and USA signs hang proudly.

People stop their cars for pictures, selfies, and smiles. To the family inside the festive house, that’s what it’s all about.

“The spirit — that’s our objective,” said Suresh Ramoutar. “To bring joy, and a few moments of distraction.”

The family includes grandmother Malie, wife Yasme and husband Suresh, and their two children Sylar, 13, and Myalina, 10. The Ramoutars decorate for every holiday. Easter, New Year’s — you name it, they have a banner for it.

“It just brightens up the neighborhood,” said Malverne resident Bruce Petry. “I just had to knock on her door and thank her.”

The family of five — and of course, their dog Lady — moved to Malverne almost exactly a year ago. They first decorated for Halloween, so their Fourth of July decorations mark their first full holiday cycle here on the island.

“We used to bring this joy to the Bronx, especially the south Bronx,” Suresh said. “So when we came from the south Bronx to Malverne, we brought the spirit with us.”

Suresh said it began for his son, Sylar, who always loved holiday decorations, but they were not very common in their neighborhood. For Christmas decorations, they’d have to go to Manhattan. That’s when Sylar’s grandmother, Malie, stepped in. She decided to bring the holiday spirit to their neighborhood.

“She wants to spread joy because everyone is so busy with their day-to-day activities, their jobs,” Suresh said. “So it brings a smile to everyone's face who passes by, even though they’re having a hard time or a setback. It gives them a pause — it takes a few seconds to change that thought.”

The Ramoutars have a running joke that Malie must have secret helpers, or elves that help her decorate — how else could they leave in the morning and come back a few hours later to a house filled, from lawn to living room, with carefully curated festive decorations?

“It’s really fun to see the house decorated,” Myalina said. “Because when we first moved in, the house was really plain. I’m just not used to being surrounded by boringness.

“I’m lucky to have my grandma decorate the house for us. And it’s fun to help her out.”

Each holiday setup brings its own special kind of joy. Kids and fathers would take selfies with the Father’s Day decorations, trick-or-treaters would snap photos of the spooky Halloween-themed lawn, and families would smile in front of beautiful Christmas decor, often for holiday cards. The decorations provide a regular delight to neighbors, or a pleasant surprise to those just passing through. 

“It gives me a sense of joy,” Myalina said. She added that some families don’t have the time or resources to decorate for every holiday, and she’s happy to help provide that source of fun.

When choosing a new home last year, the Ramoutars looked at hundreds — but Malverne was special. The beauty, safety, and good schools brought their house hunting to an end. Suresh said he and his wife loved it from the very first time they drove through.

“It’s a beautiful, beautiful village,” Suresh said. “Most of all, the people. They’re very welcoming.”

Malie’s only requirement for their new home? A nice lawn for her to decorate. The Ramoutars say her decorations are a source of love and joy for not only the community at large and the grandkids, but Malie herself.

Malie came to the U.S. in 1995 from Guyana, where people typically only decorated for Christmas. She figured — why not bring that happiness to every holiday?

That’s also why the Fourth of July carries a special significance for the Ramoutars — it helps celebrate Malie’s story.

“We’re very proud of the opportunity given in this country,” Suresh said. “And that’s the reason why we’re thankful. It’s truly the land of the free. We hope we’ve captured a small part of the American spirit.”