About Us
About Us
Braden Finch & Zach Severns
Founders
Our journey has been shaped by key milestones, hard lessons, and big wins.
At Son of a Nutcracker Lights, we don’t just hang lights—we build displays that stop traffic. Founded in 2021, we’ve grown from a small-town side hustle into one of the most trusted names in holiday lighting across Central Illinois. Our mission is simple: deliver high-quality, professional-grade Christmas light installations with unmatched precision, speed, and service.
At Son of a Nutcracker Lights, we don’t just hang lights—we build displays that stop traffic. Founded in 2021, we’ve grown from a small-town side hustle into one of the most trusted names in holiday lighting across Central Illinois. Our mission is simple: deliver high-quality, professional-grade Christmas light installations with unmatched precision, speed, and service.
We specialize in clean, sharp roofline work using commercial-grade C9 LED bulbs—no messy lines, no shortcuts. Whether it’s a warm white classic, a bold themed install, or a custom permanent setup, we tailor every job to fit your home or business perfectly. From design to takedown, we handle it all—so you don’t lift a finger.
History
Our journey has been shaped by key milestones, hard lessons, and big wins.
2024
In 2024, things took off. We more than doubled our client base, partnered with DSC, and expanded our footprint across Central Illinois. With a strong team, cleaner installs, and a loyal customer base, we’ve hit a new level. We’re now preparing for our biggest season yet—and laying the groundwork for future franchise opportunities in 2025 and beyond.
2023
This was a turning point. We took on the Mahomet Light Tunnel, the biggest project we had ever attempted. It was a little out of our comfort zone—but we delivered, and the response was incredible. The tunnel became a community staple and a showcase of what we could pull off. We also brought in more commercial clients and saw strong growth in both residential and custom projects.
2022
In our second year, we built on what we learned. We brought in more clients, started expanding into garden bed and tree lighting, and really dialed in our systems. While we didn’t grow as fast as we hoped, we refined our craft, improved our install quality, and became known for clean lines, sharp service, and reliability. It was a year of tightening bolts and preparing for scale.
2021
It all started when we saw Christmas light signs popping up around town and thought, “We could do that—but better.” So we did. With zero experience, a few ladders, and a lot of hustle, we launched Son of a Nutcracker Lights. That first season wasn’t easy—we taught ourselves everything from scratch and made plenty of mistakes—but we finished strong and laid the foundation for what would become a real business.
2024
In 2024, things took off. We more than doubled our client base, partnered with DSC, and expanded our footprint across Central Illinois. With a strong team, cleaner installs, and a loyal customer base, we’ve hit a new level. We’re now preparing for our biggest season yet—and laying the groundwork for future franchise opportunities in 2025 and beyond.
2023
This was a turning point. We took on the Mahomet Light Tunnel, the biggest project we had ever attempted. It was a little out of our comfort zone—but we delivered, and the response was incredible. The tunnel became a community staple and a showcase of what we could pull off. We also brought in more commercial clients and saw strong growth in both residential and custom projects.
2022
In our second year, we built on what we learned. We brought in more clients, started expanding into garden bed and tree lighting, and really dialed in our systems. While we didn’t grow as fast as we hoped, we refined our craft, improved our install quality, and became known for clean lines, sharp service, and reliability. It was a year of tightening bolts and preparing for scale.
2021
It all started when we saw Christmas light signs popping up around town and thought, “We could do that—but better.” So we did. With zero experience, a few ladders, and a lot of hustle, we launched Son of a Nutcracker Lights. That first season wasn’t easy—we taught ourselves everything from scratch and made plenty of mistakes—but we finished strong and laid the foundation for what would become a real business.
2024
In 2024, things took off. We more than doubled our client base, partnered with DSC, and expanded our footprint across Central Illinois. With a strong team, cleaner installs, and a loyal customer base, we’ve hit a new level. We’re now preparing for our biggest season yet—and laying the groundwork for future franchise opportunities in 2025 and beyond.
2023
This was a turning point. We took on the Mahomet Light Tunnel, the biggest project we had ever attempted. It was a little out of our comfort zone—but we delivered, and the response was incredible. The tunnel became a community staple and a showcase of what we could pull off. We also brought in more commercial clients and saw strong growth in both residential and custom projects.
2022
In our second year, we built on what we learned. We brought in more clients, started expanding into garden bed and tree lighting, and really dialed in our systems. While we didn’t grow as fast as we hoped, we refined our craft, improved our install quality, and became known for clean lines, sharp service, and reliability. It was a year of tightening bolts and preparing for scale.
2021
It all started when we saw Christmas light signs popping up around town and thought, “We could do that—but better.” So we did. With zero experience, a few ladders, and a lot of hustle, we launched Son of a Nutcracker Lights. That first season wasn’t easy—we taught ourselves everything from scratch and made plenty of mistakes—but we finished strong and laid the foundation for what would become a real business.
We're a tight-knit, experienced crew that takes pride in craftsmanship, efficiency, and the details that separate a good display from a great one. From planning to install, every step is handled with precision and care.
Luke Severns
Installation Manager
Luke S.
Manager
Luke Severns
Installation Manager
Madden Schurvinske
Install Specialist
Madden S.
Install
Madden Schurvinske
Install Specialist
Grant Evangelisti
Install Specialist
Grant E.
Install
Grant Evangelisti
Install Specialist
Tyson Finch
Project Manager
Tyson F.
Manager
Tyson Finch
Project Manager
Kate Severns
Operational Intern
Kate S.
Intern
Kate Severns
Operational Intern
Alaina Miller
Design Visionary
Alaina Miller
Design
Alaina Miller
Design Visionary
Braden Finch & Zach Severns
Founders
Braden Finch & Zach Severns
Founders
Braden Finch & Zach Severns
Founders
Awards
The Peoples Choice 2024
2024
We didn’t win, but being the only Christmas light business nominated for the People’s Choice Award 2025 says everything. It means our work stood out in a sea of industries — and that our community saw the magic we’re creating. We’re beyond proud of the recognition, grateful for the support, and fired up to keep raising the bar in 2025.
The Peoples Choice 2024
2024
We didn’t win, but being the only Christmas light business nominated for the People’s Choice Award 2025 says everything. It means our work stood out in a sea of industries — and that our community saw the magic we’re creating. We’re beyond proud of the recognition, grateful for the support, and fired up to keep raising the bar in 2025.
The Peoples Choice 2024
2024
We didn’t win, but being the only Christmas light business nominated for the People’s Choice Award 2025 says everything. It means our work stood out in a sea of industries — and that our community saw the magic we’re creating. We’re beyond proud of the recognition, grateful for the support, and fired up to keep raising the bar in 2025.
Join the Team
If you’re ready to shape the future with us, your journey could start here.