Drive down Stonecrest Blvd in Tega Cay anytime after early November, and you’ll witness a house with Christmas on full display. A multitude of holiday inflatables, Christmas trees and paraphernalia take over the majority of the front and side yard. Without knowing the difference, you’d simply think the owners really like Christmas. That’s true, but that’s only part of the story.
Jeremy Buettner and Jordan Ouellette, along with their kids Micah (16), Gracie (13) and Rowan (9), moved from Waxhaw to Tega Cay a little over 4 years ago. When Christmas rolled around that year, they proudly announced their arrival by way of holiday decor. They’ve provided Christmas cheer every year since.
Christmas can be a special time of year for a lot of us. It symbolizes family, love and home in a way that can’t be measured most other times of the year. For Jeremy, it was a time of calm and comfort in a childhood home that offered very little. Enduring a difficult adolescence, Christmas provided him with some relief from the daily challenges of abuse and neglect. According to Jeremy, “the house was a nightmare for 11 months out of the year but for that one month, it was great.”
Inspired by a light display he experienced in 2010, he set out to replicate it as best he could. With help from Jordan and the kids, their holiday display has grown bigger over the years. As a result, there are two rooms in their house dedicated to storage while the garage has multiple shelves ready to accept boxes and bins. Those same shelves hold several unopened boxes, stuffed with holiday decorations that haven’t yet made their way into the yard.
An idea that had started to bring joy to children has morphed into a way to bring happiness to anyone, regardless of age. “The most touching thing has been the seniors,” said Jeremy. He recalled a story of a wife who would bring her husband dying of cancer . He could barely see but he wanted to look at the house, as best he could. “When they would allow him to leave, he wanted to come here and see the display.”
Eventually, Jordan’s dream is to retire on a farm and be able to expand their Christmas decorations into a full time business. One that would be complete with hay rides, holiday fun and of course, Christmas decorations. For now, she’ll settle for her favorite pastime, buying Christmas gifts. “I love buying Christmas presents for someone who didn’t realize they wanted what I got for them.”
Unapologetic without being pushy, Jeremy and Jordan are able to tie in their Christian beliefs with what they feel is God working through them to provide joy to our community. “When I realized I was worthy of Christ’s love, it was the greatest gift I ever received,” said Jeremy. “Everyday is a good day for me. Christmas is trying to get other people to understand that’s the greatest present (the gift of Christ).” 
Adding to the joy, the couple hands out gifts to those who come to visit on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights from 6-8pm throughout the season. They have what can only be described as a “gift room” in their house containing hundreds or perhaps thousands of toys, figurines and Christmas decor. All has been purchased by the couple over the years and all is slated to be given away to anyone in need.
The couple has been blessed in life, they will freely tell you this. Although they don’t want to accept any donations for themselves, they are accepting donations on behalf of Lifecenter (lifecentertroutman.org), a facility being built in Troutman, NC for expectant mothers of unplanned pregnancies as an alternative to abortion.
Santa and Mrs. Claus are indeed real and they live here, in Tega Cay. Head on over for a little Christmas spirit, a free candy cane or simply to say hello.
I can’t guarantee Jeremy or Jordan will let you sit in their lap, but they’ll definitely make you feel right at home.
