Christmas has always been a special time for me, and this year I decided to take my smart lighting setup to the next level with a DIY project. Inspired by the amazing Christmas Box Surprise posts I’ve seen on the forum, I wanted to create something unique and share my experience with you all.Earlier this month, I came across a fantastic guide on creating a custom video doorbell using a Raspberry Pi, a small TFT screen, and a Pi Camera. The idea was to build a budget-friendly alternative to expensive video doorbells while integrating it with my Home Assistant setup. The project involved setting up MQTT messaging, configuring the Raspberry Pi to detect button presses, and even adding a text-to-speech feature to announce visitors. While the initial setup was a bit challenging, especially with the MQTT configurations, the end result was absolutely worth it!Here’s a quick summary of the steps I took:- Hardware Setup: I connected the Raspberry Pi, TFT screen, camera, and button, ensuring everything was properly powered and within reach of my front door.- Software Configuration: I installed the necessary libraries and scripts, including the MQTT client and pygame for audio notifications.- Integration with Home Assistant: I set up a custom automation in Home Assistant to trigger the doorbell script and notify me via the app when someone pressed the button.One of the most rewarding parts of this project was seeing the community’s support and shared knowledge come together. The forum has been an incredible resource, and I couldn’t have done it without the tips and troubleshooting advice from fellow enthusiasts.If you’re looking for a fun and practical DIY project, I highly recommend giving this video doorbell a try. It’s a great way to enhance your home security while staying within your budget. Plus, it’s a fantastic learning experience for anyone new to Raspberry Pi and MQTT.Merry Christmas to everyone, and here’s to more exciting DIY projects in the new year! 
