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December 13, 2022

Visitors stop by to take their candy canes from the Holiday Habits outdoor candy cane tree.
Photo provided
Visitors stop by to take their candy canes from the Holiday Habits outdoor candy cane tree.

Features • December 13, 2022

Huntley local keeps holiday spirits alive with elaborate light display and candy cane tree

By

HUNTLEY — Last year, My Huntley News reported on the intricate Halloween display that is assembled every year by resident Joe Buedel who resides within the Georgian Place subdivision at 10716 Wheatlands Way.

He and a team of volunteers who help with setting up the display call their operation Holiday Habits, and despite the tremendous amount of effort it takes to get his house Halloween-ready, Buedel doesn’t stop there.

After Oct. 31, Buedel and his team begin to disassemble the Halloween display in preparation for Buedel’s next big project, a holiday light show display and an outdoor Christmas tree he stocks up with candy canes for visitors to take.

According to Buedel, inclement weather conditions this year delayed the candy cane tree for a bit, but he was eventually able to stock the tree with the first 100 candy canes, which consisted of two different flavors.

The Holiday Habits light show, which is accompanied by music and projected window videos, runs all throughout December from Monday through Thursday starting at 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., and from Friday through Saturday until 10 p.m.

On Dec. 5, Buedel announced that 400 candy canes had already been taken from the tree by visitors, with that number only expected to increase as the days move forward.

“We are getting serious over here! I went out tonight (Dec. 7) and stocked up to ensure we don’t run out! Last year, we gave out over 2,000 total candy canes…we’re [going to] need more this year! I can tell,” stated Buedel on the Holiday Habits Facebook page. “As of today (Dec. 7), we have given out—plus what’s on the tree—600 candy canes in seven days! Tonight, I purchased regular peppermint, large peppermint, flavored, and 150 chocolate candy canes! 678 more in total! I’m now ready for about 2,700 candy cane visitors!”

While it is not cheap to maintain such a jolly display, Buedel says that it’s all worth it upon hearing all the compliments he receives from area residents.

As of Dec. 12, Holiday Habits has managed to hand out over 1,100 candy canes within 12 days. Buedel hopes that visitors take pictures by the candy cane tree for others to see the holiday fun.

Similarly, to the Halloween display, individuals interested in donating funds to assist Holiday Habits with the costs associated with maintaining the lights show and candy cane tree can do so by visiting holidayhabits.com.