OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — What started as a few extra Christmas decorations nearly three decades ago, has now turned the home of an Omaha couple into a holiday sensation.
Bill and Jeri Schlueter, who leave near 78 and Dodge Streets, began decorating their two-story home when their first child was born. They set up two trees and had a few decorations. Over the years, the Schlueters collected thousands of trinkets, which now fill their entire home.
The couple has 16 large Christmas trees set up throughout their home, each one with its own theme. Among them, there's a patriotic tree, a Clown tree, a snowman tree, and upside-down tree among. But perhaps the most special one is the Grandma-tree, which is set up in the couple's room.
"We have pictures of our kids and ornaments with pictures of our grandkids and our adopted grandkids," said Jeri. "That's probably my favorite tree in the house."
"Christmas at our house involves three months. A month to put it up, a month to entertain, and a month to take it down," said BIll.
The couple says they're big collectors.
"As I say, somebody says what do you collect and I say, if it isn't tied down we collect it," added Bill.
Most of the trinkets have been gifted or purchased at auctions or garage sales, according to the couple. The Schlueters also collects ornaments from places they've traveled to.
"The most asked question is where do you store all of this stuff? And we tell them, upstairs, in every closet, downstairs and in another garage that we have," said Jeri.
The couple hosts several open houses during the holiday months for close friends and family, often having over 100 people over to entertain so they can enjoy the decorations as well.
