Decorator Updates

(Updated 12/22/11)

The completely revised 2nd edition of The Best Christmas Decorations in Chicagoland is now available featuring over 150 new displays and nearly 80 locations updated from the 1st edition that have grown better every year. Therefore, subsequent updates to this page will be for the 2nd edition only.

Though decorators chosen for the book are devoted enthusiasts who decorate annually, unforeseen circumstances may arise that prevent them from decorating as described in the book. And then there are decorators who just keep adding to the fun! Displays that have significant additions since the book was printed are listed below. Displays that are no longer at the same address, have been discontinued, or are not decorating this year are highlighted in bold. Though I do my best to contact the decorators each year, if you come across a discontinued display that is not listed, please drop me an email.

Updates
P. 15, No. 1: Due to budget cuts, the city tree is a single 55-foot tree donated by a family in Western Springs, who won the city's 2nd annual tree-finding contest. The Christkindlmarket Chicago is now open from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve.  Sundays – Thursdays 11am until 8pm and Fridays and Saturdays until 9pm. New this year is an interactive advent calendar that will feature items from vendors as gift to a lucky spectator each day in December. See www.christkindlmarket.com for the entertainment schedule.

P. 16, No. 4: "Winter Wonderfest" has been extended one more week to Jan. 8.

P. 18, No. 6: This year's lobby theme is "Holiday at the Circus." The display will be under the big top with elephants, tigers, lions, black bears, horses, seals, monkeys, chimps, cats and dogs. The scene will include funny mirrors, fire torches, hoops and canon along with the traditional 20’ feature tree.

P. 21, No. 10: The archway is no longer decorated, but the lobby tree and other treasures are still worth a visit if you're passing by.

P. 25, No. 17: New this year... "Seasons of Lights, Sounds of the Seasons," more than one thousand choreographed LED lights bring the planters to life making visitors want to dance down the street.

P. 26, No. 18: The windows this year tell the story of how a wish comes true, dedicated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

P. 38, No. 8: Charlie's on Webster has unfortunately closed.

P. 50-1, No. 22: See the Phillips well-crafted display at their new home at 7130 W. Schreiber and receive a bonus viewing their daughter's lovely decorations right across the street.

P. 65-6, No. 2: Wow! A 20' tree made of flashing plastic figurines. A showstopper! Careful on this busy street.

P. 66-7, No. 4: If you want to see great use of LEDs and real artistry in displaying a variety of decorations, here's the house to see. Great job, Danny!

P. 68-9, No. 5: The reindeer have finally bit the dust. Roof repairs this year may cause the 3-story tree to lose a story. (Having a tree pop through your roof is bound to cause major roof damage eventually.)

P. 70-1, No. 7: Moved. Adina, we miss your lovely display. Where did you go?

P. 71-2, No. 9: Thank you to the LiPomi family for 47 years of holiday cheer. The famous elves in a candy cane factory are now displayed a short distance away at 6222 N. Knox Ave. by a couple that admired the display as children.

P. 74, No. 13: The animated drumming soldiers got their own guardhouse last season. This year... looking forward to a spinning carousel, thanks to Nick's craftsmanship.

P. 78, No. 19: Due to an unfortunate fire, the Schumacher home and display are no longer the same, but all the Schumacher's are safe.

P. 78-9, No. 20: Carl's gone LED on his big tree, and it's a sight to behold. Stay for a while and watch the colors change, then marvel at Carl's craftsmanship.

P. 81, No. 24: Moved out-of-state and took his decorations with him.

P. 87-8, No. 2: Sadly, Art passed away in 2009. His red and green display brightened many lives over the years and was truly a reflection of a dear and loving man.

P. 89-90, No. 5: The Duski's will not be displaying their elaborate decorations this year. Let's hope for next year. We will surely miss the glitter!

P. 90, No. 7: Al's elaborate display understandably was too difficult for his family to continue. Thank you for all the wonderful years of enjoyment. Another very dear man who loved decorating for others and did it so well.

P. 91-2, No. 8:  The "Winter Wonderland Holiday Festival" in Des Plaines takes place the 1st weekend in December at the Frisbie Senior Center, 52 E. Northwest Hwy. 10AM-4PM.  Lake Park is lit on the 1st Saturday in December. See www.desplainesparks.org.

P. 92-3, No. 9: Bill and Pop-Up Santa and all the lights have moved to 1622 N. Clarence in Arlington Heights. An expert in LEDs, Bill promises a great display this year.

P. 95-6, No. 14: Not nearly as much as usual, but check out the house around the corner on Lance... you'll never see a more well-decorated antennae.

P. 96, No. 35: The candy canes are getting hard to come by. If you have any similar that you can part with, drop me an email or knock on the door of the house with the giant candy cane in the driveway.

P. 97, No. 17: Due to unfortunate vandalism, Doug may not decorate as much this year. How sad that someone's idea of a cruel joke can destroy something that brings joy to so many. 

P. 98, No. 18: The Decks are taking a year off.

P. 103-4, No. 26: Rosemont is lighting up the first weekend of Dec. They've added even more lights with a giant tree off I294 and free Skating in the Park.

P. 104, No. 27: Check out another great display a few blocks away at 707 Teal Ct.

P. 105, No. 29: No display this season. John is taking a year off.

P. 109, No. 2: New LEDs dancing to music, and a train.

P. 111, No. 5: Tim has expanded his homemade, life-size manger scene to 24 pieces.

P. 117, No. 17: Ken has recreated the life-size manger scene built by his uncle in 1965.

P. 118, No. 18: Dominic has added arches over the sidewalk and a 30' parrot wearing a Santa hat. Nice work!

P. 119-120, No. 20: Just when you thought Rick couldn't add another thing... he's surprised us again with the addition of a 24-foot computerized megatree with 4,800 lights.

P. 125-6, No. 6: Chuck has moved to Florida and will be taking his cartoon characters with him. Thanks for all the years of fun! Florida will love you!

P. 127, No. 10: It's an odd-numbered year, so the Flam family should be decorating this year.

P. 130, No. 14: Flooding in Westchester in 2010 sadly destroyed most of Michaels' decorations, so his candy house will not appear this year. Hope you can replace it soon. We'll miss this sweet holiday treat.

P. 138, No. 9: An idea is usually indicated with a lightbulb above the head. With Rick's ideas, it's hundred of lightbulbs on his house, and he has several new ones this year.

P. 152: Travel further west to an eye-popping computerized display in Elburn at 42W891 Beith Rd.

P. 153-4, No. 9: They lost all their trees to the Emerald Ash Borer, but you wouldn't know anything is missing this Christmas season. Rumor has it that photos with Santa are soon to come. And while you are out this way... visit 545 Franklin Dr. for the best Santa chair ever and 270 Longview Dr. for a great homemade Grinch display.

P. 160, No. 7: Joe and Leah are back at it this year!!!!

P. 166-7, No. 14: A dancing snowman has joined the fun. Tune in your FM dial.

P. 172, No. 4: Brian and Debbie are you back this year?

P. 177, No. 1: No longer decorating.

P. 177-8, No. 2: It just keeps getting brighter and better, and the snowflakes are sold out.

P. 179-80, No. 5: In keeping with his parents tradition, Warren has recreated his dad's 9' candy cane Ferris wheel to give Mickey and his friends a holiday spin. See if you can spot other new creations of Warrens as well.

P. 182-4, No. 9: The Sawallisch family has gone LED and full-throttle.

P. 184, No. 10: Santa will be parked in the driveway and waiting for the kiddies from 7-9PM, Dec. 15-23.