'TIS THE SEASON FOR A VERY EXTREME CHRISTMAS WHEN MARIAH CAREY JOINS THE"EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION" TEAM IN THE SHOW'S FIRST YULETIDE-THEMED EXTRAVAGANZA

"Gaston Family" - The holidays get into full swing when international superstar Mariah Carey helps the "EM: HE" team create a Winter Wonderland in Pensacola, Florida for Finis Gaston and his niece and two nephews. The spirit of giving is all around, from the moment Mariah Carey steps off the "EM: HE" bus to give this deserving family the surprise of a lifetime to the snowy reveal as Christmas parade revelers dance to her new holiday hit, "Oh Santa!," and volunteers and the community welcome the family to their festively-decorated new home. This episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" airs SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Finis, 28, was raised by a single mother in a poor neighborhood who also took care of his young niece, Jasqulon Gaston, and nephews Tyshun and Tyvun Morris. When Finis was 16, the straight A-student and sports enthusiast tried out for the Baker School cheerleading team. He made school history as the first male cheerleader, and his confidence and sense of humor made him a school favorite. His dream to go to college and earn a degree in social work came true when he was discovered by a football scout, who offered Finis a full scholarship to Alabama A&M University. But with just one year left to graduation, Finis' beloved mother unexpectedly died. He didn't hesitate to return home. Family comes first for Finis, and splitting up the children to be sent to foster care was not an option. He volunteers as a cheerleading and gymnastics coach and supports his family by serving lunch at the local school that he attended. Finis had put his dreams on hold to take care of his family. Now, the "EM: HE" design team will work to put his life back on track with the ultimate holiday gift -- a new home for him and his family, plus so much more. While the Gastons prepare to depart for their vacation to Disney World, they discover that Mariah has arranged an appropriate holiday send off for them -- in Santa's sleigh. One of Finis' heroes, Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes, will surprise the family during their vacation, and together they work on some tumbling exercises. Later on, Finis gets an opportunity to not only meet, but rehearse and perform with Cirque du Soleil.

Show designers for this episode are Ty Pennington, designers Michael Moloney, John Littlefield and Tracy Hutson.

The series is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It is executive-produced by Brady Connell and George Verschoor. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

For more information on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," visit ABC.com.