Two nutcrackers guard the entrance to the Christmas House.
That’s the nickname, anyway, for the home turned holiday landmark at 5423 N. New Jersey St. that’s stunned Indianapolis residents with its decorations and light displays for more than 40 years.
Make the journey and you’ll find blow mold toy soldiers and candy canes in the yard, Bing Crosby’s iconic Christmas album cover and Santa Claus drinking Coca-Cola in the window. On a recent December night, a car slowed down so a little girl could stretch her hand out the window, as if to grasp at the glow of more than 10,000 lights.
“People were kids when they saw it,” said owner Linda Eichholtz, 66. “Now they bring their own kids.”
It all started with one bush of lights and a wooden Santa Claus painted by her husband, Ricky, who majored in art at DePauw University. As the couple’s Christmas collection grew over the years from purchases at auctions, garage sales and department stores that don’t exist anymore, they began sharing it with the neighborhood.
Santa Claus decorates the windows of the Christmas House at 5423 N. New Jersey St., Dec. 20, 2023. Credit: Doug McSchooler / Mirror Indy 
Since 1980, Linda and Ricky Eichholtz have turned their house at 5423 N. New Jersey St. into a holiday landmark, attracting generations of visitors. Credit: Doug McSchooler / Mirror Indy 
The nativity scene at 5423 N. New Jersey St. in Indianapolis, Dec. 20, 2023. Credit: Doug McSchooler / Mirror Indy 
Santa Claus decorations, seen here on Dec. 20, 2023, can be found at the nicknamed Christmas House at 5423 N. New Jersey St. in Indianapolis. Credit: Doug McSchooler / Mirror Indy
Now, Eichholtz estimates about 1,000 people stop by during the holiday season. Some families even use the nativity scene as the background of their Christmas cards.
“Why do it if you can’t let other people enjoy?” said Eichholtz, who works as director of the Cathedral Kitchen and Food Pantry. “It makes us feel good that everyone smiles when they come by our house.”
Inside, the decorations are more personal.
There’s a white Christmas tree with photos of family and friends hanging among ornaments. A collection of Christmas villages rests atop the piano, with tiny replicas of Americana: Dairy Queen, Gus’s Drive In and Chick-fil-A buildings stand out among the snow-topped trinkets. And, in the bathroom, a Santa sitting on his own toilet sings “Jingle Bells” so you don’t go a moment without festive cheer, even on the commode.
“It’s for my 3-year-old grandson,” Eichholtz said with a laugh.
She has one daughter who grew up in this wonderland. They would often cover her bedroom windows with towels to block the holiday light emanating from the house.
Now, four grandchildren come by looking for Santa Claus, because he definitely lives at Memaw’s house.
Mirror Indy reporter Mary Claire Molloy covers health. Reach her at maryclaire.molloy@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @mcmolloy7.