The owners at Dutch Colonial Inn don't just decorate for Christmas — they sleigh
HOLLAND — When Bob and Pat Elenbaas' children gifted the couple their first snow village building years ago, they never could've imagined where it would take them.
What started with just one building grew over the years, and today features over 300 buildings, all housed within Holland's Dutch Colonial Inn Bed and Breakfast.
“We’ve been setting this up for quite a few years and it all started when our kids gave us the very first piece of snow village,” Pat said. “Our home is a Dutch colonial home and they gave us (a) piece that looks a lot like our home. That started it all.”
Pair that village with nearly 16,000 exterior Christmas lights, a 1,000-piece collection of thumbprint glassware and a uniquely decorated Christmas tree in nearly every room — and you've got a once-in-a-lifetime display.
“Thousands and thousands of little white lights all over,” Pat said. “Outside and inside, we use the little white lights and put candles in the windows.”
The painstaking process of set-up begins when the calendar turns from October to November. In total, it takes Bob close to a month, weaving decorations through the inn’s many rooms and hallways.
The home was originally built in 1928 as a wedding gift, and was occupied by several families for over 55 years. The house was purchased in 1984. Four years later, it became the Dutch Colonial Inn Bed and Breakfast — and has been ever since.
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Equipped with vintage cherry and mahogany antiques, a rich history and the couple’s expansive Christmas collection, the inn will open its doors to the public this year to raise money for Gateway Mission.
The couple will host a Christmas Open House Tour from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8. All donations collected from visitors will support Gateway Mission. In total, the couple hopes to raise close to $10,000.
“We love what the mission does,” Pat said. “They put people back on their feet and help people to function in our world. They are a good Christian organization and we have always been a supporter.”
The Dutch Colonial Inn is located at 560 Central Ave. Learn more at dutchcolonialinn.com.
— Contact freelancer Austin Metz at ametz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: The owners at Dutch Colonial Inn don't just decorate for Christmas — they sleigh
