A legacy in lights
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Christmas is the season of limitless magic, when the world feels a little more luminous in spite of the biting winter air. It is a time for tradition and togetherness, where the simple act of hanging a wreath or stringing a line of lights becomes a bridge between the past and the present. For those who truly embrace the spirit of the holidays, it isn’t just a day on the calendar—it’s a season of wonder that transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary.
In the quiet neighborhoods of Baxley, one house stands out as a beacon of holiday spirit, wrapped in the glow of thousands of meticulously placed lights. Each year, Debbie and Duane King go all out for the holiday in honor of her grandmother, Loretta Edenfield.
The couple met in 2017 and married in 2018, moving into the home originally belonging to Edenfield before she passed. She was a lover of all things Christmas. “She loved Christmas, and I know she’s looking down on us enjoying it.”
This year, both sides of the house are decorated as a masterclass in maximalism. Though there’s no official count, one bush alone holds roughly 2,500 lights. The lights are rotated yearly, along with inflatable characters like Santa and his reindeer. No matter how many are added to the collection, it’s never a problem to make room for more. When Hurricane Helene tried to rain on the parade with storm damage, the couple was determined to come back even stronger.
“It’s just enjoyable to see the smiles. You stress all year and worry all year,” says Debbie, who is always ready for the fun to begin again. “It’s just kind of nice to bring a smile. You don’t know what somebody’s going through.” Oftentimes, people stop and take photos with their children.
Her dad, David Hughes, was a fireman in Hazlehurst and often dressed as Santa Claus for parades and family events throughout her life before he passed in 2015. Every year, Duane dresses up as Santa Claus and passes out candy to children, which he did dutifully this year on Saturday, December 20. The Grinch was also on the scene to take pictures. “It gets harder every year on everybody, and on Christmas, it’s supposed to be about love, peace, and joy–bringing people joy for this short time. When it’s over, we go back to our regular lives.”
Regular life for the King family is the routine discussion of Christmas lights. Setup begins as early as October, although many ideas for the future arise during the installation process. They shop at Amazon, Lowes, and Home Depot specifically. Even 12 months in advance, the new year provides the perfect opportunity to take advantage of clearance sales.
The front of the display, along with the arch side, runs on power from a generator. The couple shares responsibility for the creative vision and the installation. The most popular items in the line-up are the Nativity Scene, as well as the snow globes.
Duane was originally from Pennsylvania, where winters are guaranteed to bring a thick blanket of snow. “Christmas isn’t what it used to be anywhere,” he says. “It used to really be family. Nowadays, adults and kids get every day. When I was younger, we didn’t get until Christmas. And that was a big deal.”
It’s become a full-circle moment for Duane, who has always enjoyed the spectacle since his youth. “I remember when I was young, my mom and dad would load me and my brother and sister up, and we would ride and look at Christmas lights everywhere,” he says. “Now my wife and I sit here on the front porch and see these vehicles drive by. They have the back window low, and you can see the child in the back.”
It’s a labor of love, and this season’s process has gone pretty smoothly and is getting better every year. To the casual observer, it’s a beautiful display; to the creators, it’s a year-long mission to keep the magic of the season burning as brightly as possible. They plan to change the color scheme next year, but Debbie says the reveal is a surprise. “It’s like this is our little gift to Appling County and Baxley, you know? I’m hoping when my kids get older, my grandkids, they’ll do the same thing.”
