If you want to have yourself a merry ‘little’ Christmas, you may want to bypass Bill and Debbie Tuttle’s place.
They’re not into merry ‘little’ Christmases — they prefer presenting a mega-dose of holiday cheer. And, they deliver it through thousands of artfully arranged decorations.
Beyond the mere size and variety of the décor, there are stories behind scores of items in their display.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)
And, in a true spirit of Christmas, the couple will open their home to the public on Dec. 18, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., so people can take a peek. The couple’s home is at 2308 Camp Indianhead Road in Land O’ Lakes.
When visitors arrive, they’ll see a lighted display in the front yard, and decorations adorning the house.
But, that’s just a prelude to what lies ahead inside.
Every room in the house is dressed up for the season.
Near the front door, a giant figure of Santa, welcomes those who enter.
There are trees, with various themes, in different rooms of the house.
In the office and crafts room, for instance, there’s a tree with ornaments made from old wooden spools and decorations depicting various crafts.
There’s a Mickey tree and a Minnie tree that Debbie Tuttle made, to complement the animated Disney characters adorning a shelf in the couple’s living room.
There’s also a massive tree illuminated by 5,000 lights and decked out with ornaments depicting moments of the family’s life through the years.
The couple’s zeal for Christmas is on display everywhere.
The sunken tub in the master bath, for instance, is off limits for the holidays because decorations encircle the tub.
Even the dog crate, in the couple’s master bedroom, is decked out for the season.
There’s a holiday bedspread that Debbie made, on the couple’s bed.
There’s homage to her late father, too, featuring a miniature John Deere tractor, a small tree decorated with tiny John Deere hats, and a small figure of a fisherman — depicting the things that he loved best.
The dining room features an 11-foot bottle tree that Debbie made this year, using bottles she bought at Dollar Tree stores. “I went to 13 stores in one day,” she said, adding it took 201 bottles to make the tree, and she even picked up some of them in Orlando.
She also made a smaller tabletop tree that’s crafted from bottles of many colors.
In the kitchen, there’s a tree that’s dressed up with miniature gadget ornaments.
There’s also a gingerbread house on one counter, and an oversized ornament, serving as a centerpiece, on a kitchen table.
A 6-foot-tall nutcracker stands as a sentry, providing an imposing holiday presence.
There are plenty of snowmen and nativity scenes, Santa clauses, decorated trees and twinkling lights to see in other rooms throughout the house, and in the gathering spaces outdoors.
Holiday music also helps to boost the home’s holiday cheer quotient.
The couple has been opening their home for four years, offering some private tours and a couple of public open houses every holiday season.
More than 400 people turned out for the first open house, the couple said.
Besides giving people a feast for the eyes, they also provide cookies and cider, for those who visit their home.
There is no charge to take the tour, but donations are accepted.
The couple uses the money to provide Christmas for some families in need. This year, they think they’ve received enough donations to provide a Christmas dinner and presents for four families.
Getting ready for the holidays at the Tuttles begins on Oct. 1 and takes considerable work, but the couple enjoys sharing their holiday handiwork.
They also enjoy sharing their enthusiasm with their granddaughter, 9-year-old Kalise Mabingnay, who lives with them and helps provide seasonal cheer.
Making holidays bright is what it’s all about, said Bill Tuttle, who works for Senior Helpers.
“If you can’t be in the spirit after leaving here, then you’re not ever going to be in the spirit,” Bill Tuttle said.
Christmas Open House
What: A Christmas Open House featuring a holiday display including 82 decorated trees, 70 animated characters, and thousands of lights and decoration, indoor and out.
Where: Bill and Debbie Tuttle’s house at 2308 Camp Indianhead Road, Land O’ Lakes.
When: Dec. 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
How much: Admission is free. Donations are accepted to help provide a Christmas dinner and presents to families in need.
Published December 16, 2015
