Beth Shriver was standing in the shower one morning in 2023, mulling her recent life events. Her last child had left the nest, and she was feeling a bit depressed. She needed a distraction, a project…something that would benefit the community. Maybe it could involve the Christmas holiday, since she and her family enjoyed decorating the house and yard. Then it dawned on her.
“I told my husband later, ‘Just so you know, you’re playing Santa Claus,’” Beth recalled with a chuckle.
The plan evolved. More roles were assigned. Paper flyers were displayed in local businesses. Posts were made on social media. Christmas at the Shrivers’ has become an annual, multi-night extravaganza welcoming the entire community to see their elaborate light display, sip creamy crockpot hot cocoa, indulge in homemade sugar cookies, and chat with Santa Claus – who holds a seat of honor in the front yard while handing out goody bags to the children.
“Our light display dances with the music,” Beth added. “You can pick your favorite Christmas song, hear it and watch the light display dance.”
Beth, who works for two different cleaning services, and her husband, Bryon, a corrections officer, are ardent proponents of the importance of service to others, of “giving back.” Christmas at the Shrivers’ is a free event – though donations are gratefully accepted – and the dates are based on the couple’s work schedules.
Beth’s favorite result of all the hard work is “watching the kids’ reaction. It absolutely melts your heart.”
The event is a team effort involving the entire household. Beth is Mrs. Claus. Daughter Brenna and her husband Nathan, who’ve since moved in, help wherever needed, whether it’s handing out the cocoa and cookies, keeping Santa stocked with goody bags, or manning the burn barrels. Beth’s mother, Barbara Carney, buys ingredients for the sugar cookies, helps bake them, and dips hot cocoa. Even the dog, Coconut, has a role! “This time [2024] she was Jingles the Elf. The first year, she was a reindeer,” Beth relates.
Mercury, Brenna’s cat, who Beth affectionately calls “Kitty Meow Meow” and refers to him as her grandchild, does have a costume but is “kept hidden” so that he doesn’t sneak out the door.
After the most recent Christmas at the Shrivers,’ the family found themselves with a surplus of goody bags and cookies. The surplus bags – containing small toys, a variety of candy, stationary packs, and potato chips – were gladly accepted by a local daycare for their Christmas celebration. The leftover cookies were delivered to one of the local nursing homes. “Those items served their purpose, to bring joy and help others” Beth mused. “We got to be a part of that.”
Beth’s goals for the future Christmas at the Shrivers’ events include not only helping more children in need, but also helping homeless animals. “I hope we come up with different connections by doing this. I would love to somehow partner with the Humane Society, or other homeless shelters, to raise money for them.”
Beth, who attends the local Crosspoint Church with her family, continued. “Ultimately, Christmas is about helping others, about following Jesus.”
