’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through Green River,
One house shone bright with Wyoming’s winter splendor.
Not Dasher or Dancer, nor Rudolph’s red nose,
But a cowboy in lights and the Tetons’ proud pose.
There’s Christmas spirit, and then there’s the type of holiday obsession you’ll find at Robert Bostick’s Green River home at 1915 W. Teton Blvd.
Each December, his house transforms into a breathtaking holiday display unlike few others — handcrafted, lit with thousands of bulbs and unmistakably Wyoming.
From the glowing Grand Tetons spanning the roofline to a 10-foot cowboy lassoing holiday cheer, Bostick’s creations are more than decorations. They’re labor-intensive works of art, made from 3/8-inch plywood sheets that he carefully traces, cuts, paints and adorns with lights one by one.
“When we started, it was just store-bought lights and a nativity scene,” Bostick said. “Then I realized I could make my own displays — and that’s when it really took off.”
Now he has a mini Wyoming wildlife preserve on the roof, with custom-built elk, moose, wolves, bears, mountain lions and even beavers. He spends the rest of the year making new additions, so each year the display evolves and grows.
His displays have become a beloved tradition for families in Green River, who come to marvel at the Bosticks’ unique tribute to Christmas and the Cowboy State.
“Last year, a woman told me she used to come see the house as a kid, and now she brings her own children,” Bostick said. “That’s what makes it worth it — knowing it means something to people.”
Spark Of Inspiration
Bostick’s mother had always dreamed of a National Lampoon-style Christmas display, packed with lights enough lights to overload the power grid and inspire holiday cheer. Living with his parents in their Green River home, he decided to bring that dream to life.
But the true spark of inspiration came years later when he spotted a Texas flag glowing proudly on a roof in Rock Springs.
“I thought it was cool,” Bostick said. “But I also thought, ‘This is Wyoming — we can do better.’”
That moment led him to create his first handmade piece: A Wyoming flag illuminated by 400 meticulously placed lights.
Over the years, his creations have become more intricate.
The sprawling Grand Tetons glow atop his roofline, a towering cowboy with his lasso, and now plans for even more decorations next year. Each piece builds on the last, showcasing his creativity and ambition.
“Once I made the flag, I knew I could build anything. It was just about having the right idea and time,” he said. “From there, it just kept growing.”
Folks in Green River may not know Robert Bostick personally, but they know his house. It’s the one covered in thousands of holiday lights forming the Grand Tetons, life-sized wildlife cutouts and his tribute to all things Wyoming. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily) 
Folks in Green River may not know Robert Bostick personally, but they know his house. It’s the one covered in thousands of holiday lights forming the Grand Tetons, life-sized wildlife cutouts and his tribute to all things Wyoming. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily) 
Folks in Green River may not know Robert Bostick personally, but they know his house. It’s the one covered in thousands of holiday lights forming the Grand Tetons, life-sized wildlife cutouts and his tribute to all things Wyoming. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily) 
Folks in Green River may not know Robert Bostick personally, but they know his house. It’s the one covered in thousands of holiday lights forming the Grand Tetons, life-sized wildlife cutouts and his tribute to all things Wyoming. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily) 
Folks in Green River may not know Robert Bostick personally, but they know his house. It’s the one covered in thousands of holiday lights forming the Grand Tetons, life-sized wildlife cutouts and his tribute to all things Wyoming. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily) Folks in Green River may not know Robert Bostick personally, but they know his house. It’s the one covered in thousands of holiday lights forming the Grand Tetons, life-sized wildlife cutouts and his tribute to all things Wyoming. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily) Folks in Green River may not know Robert Bostick personally, but they know his house. It’s the one covered in thousands of holiday lights forming the Grand Tetons, life-sized wildlife cutouts and his tribute to all things Wyoming. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily) 
Folks in Green River may not know Robert Bostick personally, but they know his house. It’s the one covered in thousands of holiday lights forming the Grand Tetons, life-sized wildlife cutouts and his tribute to all things Wyoming. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily) Folks in Green River may not know Robert Bostick personally, but they know his house. It’s the one covered in thousands of holiday lights forming the Grand Tetons, life-sized wildlife cutouts and his tribute to all things Wyoming. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily) 
Folks in Green River may not know Robert Bostick personally, but they know his house. It’s the one covered in thousands of holiday lights forming the Grand Tetons, life-sized wildlife cutouts and his tribute to all things Wyoming. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily) 
Folks in Green River may not know Robert Bostick personally, but they know his house. It’s the one covered in thousands of holiday lights forming the Grand Tetons, life-sized wildlife cutouts and his tribute to all things Wyoming. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily) 
Folks in Green River may not know Robert Bostick personally, but they know his house. It’s the one covered in thousands of holiday lights forming the Grand Tetons, life-sized wildlife cutouts and his tribute to all things Wyoming. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily) 
Folks in Green River may not know Robert Bostick personally, but they know his house. It’s the one covered in thousands of holiday lights forming the Grand Tetons, life-sized wildlife cutouts and his tribute to all things Wyoming. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily) 
Folks in Green River may not know Robert Bostick personally, but they know his house. It’s the one covered in thousands of holiday lights forming the Grand Tetons, life-sized wildlife cutouts and his tribute to all things Wyoming. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily)
Crafting Wyoming’s Christmas Spirit
When the lights flicker to life each night, it’s easy to forget the hours of work that goes into every piece.
Behind the scenes, Bostick juggles cutting, painting, wiring and assembling each piece, often redoing older designs to keep everything looking fresh.
Crafting his displays requires a blend of engineering precision and artistic vision.
Bostick begins by tracing the designs using precision tools to outline every detail. Next comes the drilling — hundreds of tiny holes spaced to fit the lights just right.
Once his structure is prepared, he paints the plywood black to make the colors pop, then inserts and secures each light by hand.
“It’s a process,” Bostick said. “But seeing it lit up makes every hour worth it.”
Bostick's attention to detail is evident in every part of the display, from the outline of the buffalo on the Wyoming flag to the carefully placed lights that bring the Tetons to life. The cowboy, roping high on the side of the house is a striking centerpiece that feels as rugged and iconic as the state it represents.
“It’s a process, that’s for sure,” Bostick said. “But I love seeing it all come together. The flag took me about four days, but bigger pieces like the Tetons or the cowboy can take weeks.”
The final step is hauling the heavy displays onto the roof — a job he tackles with his father using brackets, hinges and bolts to keep everything secure. Setup begins in late November and takes about a week to complete, depending on the weather.
“I try to get the roof done before the snow hits,” Bostick said. “But this is Wyoming. Sometimes you’re out there freezing no matter what.”
Bostick’s display continues to evolve each season. This year, he rebuilt the Tetons using inspiration from a trip to Jackson Hole. Next year, he plans his most ambitious project yet: Yellowstone’s iconic Lower Falls, complete with cascading lights to mimic the flowing water.
“I’ve already started sketching it out,” Bostick said. “It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m excited. I want to capture the beauty of Wyoming in my displays.”
Despite the scale of the decorations, Bostick says his electric bill remains reasonable thanks to energy-efficient LED lights.
“It’s about $130 to $150 for December,” he said. “Not bad for the joy it brings.”
A Community Tradition
Bostick’s lights stay on through New Year’s Eve, giving everyone a chance to enjoy the magic. For some, it’s a chance to relive childhood memories and share them with the next generation.
For neighbor Jaycia Wisniewski-Hunt, the display is a highlight of the holiday season.
“Robert’s work is amazing,” Hunt said. “He puts so much time and effort into it, and it’s become something the whole community looks forward to.”
In a time when fewer homes are decorated for the holidays, Hunt said Bostick’s dedication is all the more meaningful.
“He doesn’t do it for recognition,” she said. “He does it because he loves it. And you can feel that when you see it.”
