It started with a candy cane and some Christmas magic. What began with a few twinkling lights and simple décor in 2017 quickly became something more: a way for our family to share the joy of the holidays with others. As neighbors began to stop by and cars started to slow down to admire the glow, we realized we weren’t just decorating; we were building a tradition. What started with two friends and their love for Christmas, quickly became a tradition both of our families enjoy each year. Every year our display grows brighter and more detailed, and by 2019 a Santa Mailbox was added, inviting children to drop off their letters to Santa. This is where it all began.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, we wanted to find a way to continue spreading hope during such a difficult time. That year became our first big year for our Christmas light display, as we decided to turn it into something more than just lights: a way to give back. Together, our families and friends began promoting the display, decorating, and asking our community to come together to help others in need by donating canned goods. During the event night, we collected canned goods for local food pantries and handed out free hot chocolate and candy canes to people who drove through to enjoy the lights. As a community, 680 cans were donated that year! Even in the midst of uncertainty, our display gave people a reason to get out, feel a sense of hope and togetherness, even from a distance.
From there, we decided we needed to keep this tradition alive and continued expanding our display. In 2021, we added a few familiar faces, the Grinch and Olaf, who brought laughter and light to families visiting the lights. Their appearance made the event grow, and we collected 1,200 cans. In 2022, we transformed the display into a walk-through experience, allowing families to enjoy the magic up close, adding multiple new scenes. We collected 1,772 cans that year. In 2023, we added more to the display, as well as a holiday scavenger hunt through the walk-through, collecting 1,921 cans. Then, in 2024, we invited Mr. and Mrs. Claus and the Grinch to join us for our two-night event, where they took free photos with families, passed out candy canes, and helped spread even more Christmas cheer. It turned out to be our biggest turnout yet, with an incredible 2,127 cans collected!
Throughout every year and every new idea, our goal has always remained the same: to bring families together, spread light and kindness, and come together as a community to give back. This has become a family tradition we look forward to each and every year. Even in the summer, we’re dreaming up new ideas, and by October 1st, our yard starts coming to life. Many of our decorations are handmade, built together as families, making each light shine a little brighter and a little warmer with every passing year.
This year, we plan to keep the tradition alive! Our display will be turned on November 27th and run through Christmas night. You can drop off cans anytime as well as Santa letters, with your return address so Santa can write back! Our special event weekend, “Cans for Christmas,” will take place on December 5th and 6th. During these nights, our holiday helpers will be handing out free hot chocolate, reindeer food, and candy canes from 5:00–9:00 PM. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be visiting for photos on Saturday, December 6th from 5:00–8:00 PM. Visitors are encouraged to bring a canned good or snack item to help support local food pantries and to give back during the holiday season. At the end of the day, this display is about more than decorations, it’s about our families and friends coming together to share joy, laughter, and love with our community. Every smile we see reminds us why we do it, and every family that visits becomes part of our holiday story.
Josh and Stephanie Factor
Randy and Amanda Martin
