A Freeport couple wants to wish everyone a happy haunted Christmas via a new holiday display.
James Libengood said this is the first December he and his wife, Melissa, decided to decorate their front yard and home for the holidays.
However, it does not feature the traditional reindeer and snowmen.
The display features about 30 pieces, including 18 skeletons, a skeletal dragon, a dog, two cats and a monkey.
“I love skeletons,” James Libengood said. “All the ones dressed up are carolers.”
There also is an inflatable Santa and Mrs. Claus kissing, and two nutcrackers standing at attention.
One of the skeletons, standing on the steps leading up to the home near the intersection of Second and Market streets, is trying to pass as a Christmas tree while covered in green tinsel and ornaments. He holds a large candy cane and is accompanied by another skeleton in a red sweatshirt and hat.
James was born and raised in Apollo while Melissa grew up in Freeport.
The couple has been married since August 1990 and lived in the borough the past 18 years.
He said his wife came up with the idea to repurpose their Halloween decorations for the holiday season.
“She’s the one that decorated them, and I put them up,” he said.
Melissa Libengood said she saw a TikTok video last year on how to make tinsel dresses, and thought it would be fun to try.
“I figured I’d use that idea and put them on my skeletons for decorations because I’d never wear one,” she said.
She said Halloween is her favorite holiday.
“I like decorating,” she said. “I’m not into costumes, but I love decorating for it.”
Their Halloween display featured skeletons playing poker, a couple of them watching TV and one swinging from a tree. Most of the pieces came from Lowe’s and Amazon.
James Libengood said he plans to expand on their design next year.
