Elroy couple transforms property into winter wonderland for annual Christmas tradition

ELROY, Wis. (WKBT) -- The spirit of Christmas is alive in Elroy.

But a trip off the beaten path will land you somewhere straight out of the North Pole.

Welcome to Rittenhouse Winter Wonderland.

Husband and wife Philip and LuAnn--

"We got married in '93."

Sharing their love of Christmas for all to see.

"We both enjoy decorating for Christmas, and after a few years we realized we weren't going to be able to have kids, so we thought we would just put money into decorations outside for the neighborhood kids to enjoy," said LuAnn.

About 20 years ago their three-acre property was a wide-open canvas.

"We started out with just the one snowman--right there by that tree."

And their decorations got bigger every year--countless lights and ornaments.

"Sometimes we'll be gone and come home and there will be stuff by the garage, and we'll never know who it came from, but we'll put it out."

"He likes making little scenes with three or four or more."

Phil's even made a bunch with his own hands--an ultimate creative outlet.

"There are things that I want to build yet that I haven't collected all the pieces for," said Philip.

"Nothing that's plastic is safe from having him cut a hole in it somewhere and put a bulb in it," laughed LuAnn.

Of course, the reality is they're not Santa Claus--they can't do this all in one night.

"Six months from start to finish, and the other six months, it's always on your mind," said Philip.

A massive undertaking for a couple in their 50s with only a couple siblings to help out.

"It gets a little more challenging each year," said Philip.

"I know we'd get a lot of feedback from people if they didn't see us setting stuff up by Nov. 1. They'd be very disappointed in us."

But when they see those cars heading up the road at 5 p.m. each night, all the hours perched on a ladder stringing lights or on their knees driving stakes into the ground are worth it.

"I recognize people. Take Christmas Eve--and I can see mother and father in one vehicle, sons and daughters in the next one, and grandkids. --Multigenerational-- There are kids that this has always been here."

"We just get so much enjoyment out of other people enjoying it as well."

So, they'll keep it going, so a little slice of Christmas magic stays in Elroy.

Philip and LuAnn don't charge anyone to come see the lights.

They do accept cash donations to help cover the electric bill or buy new decorations.

They plan to have the display on from 5-10 p.m. through the New Year.

​COPYRIGHT 2023 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.