More than just lights in Streamwood display

Tom Johnson likes to think of his work as the thinking man's holiday display.

Sure, there are lights - about 7,000 of them. Reindeer pull Santa's sleigh and candy canes line the sidewalk, staples in any must-see.

But it's the artistry and detail found in Johnson's display that earned the Streamwood family grand prize in the Daily Herald holiday lights contest.

"Many houses rely heavily on lights but I want to give people more to look at," said Johnson. "There are several themes throughout."

With nearly 500 hours invested, there's plenty to see at 7 Dover Court.

Now in its 14th year, the endeavor gets underway in October, when Johnson puts up the house lights and erects a white picket fence to enclose the display.

He builds an elf toy building area, a penguin playground and a reindeer training camp. Near the moving train are a snow family and toy soldier brigade. A dozen display cases feature moving angels, Santas and other figurines.

He's made the display more energy efficient - and cheaper - than in years past. Johnson switched out big bulbs with fluorescent and little Italian lights. Now, the electric bill grows by less than $200 every December.

He "went nuts" in part to wow his wife Wendy and triplet daughters, now 19. But the 51-year-old Johnson will need a bit more help to carry the tradition over into a new generation of kids.

"I have three sons ages two to 12," he said. "Even if I wanted to stop, they wouldn't let me."