One of the best things about Christmas is the traditions. Whether it’s decorating with outrageous Christmas light displays or learning about the origins of the Christmas tree and why we put lights up in the first place. According to “Christmas in America” by Antonia Felix, German Christian families started bringing trees into their homes as a symbol of the Christ child.
This was apparently borrowed from a pagan yule tradition that used an evergreen tree to symbolize the return of the light of sun and days growing longer after the winter solstice, as well as the renewal and continuance of life, even in dark times. German Christians decorated their trees with paper flowers, bright foil, apples, sweets, and candles. The candles represented Christ being the light of the world.
Hanging Christmas lights and decorating your home for the holidays evolved from that early tradition, which later grew into the outrageous Christmas light displays we see in festive neighborhoods throughout the U.S.
(Photo credit: Leigh Caldwell. No changes were made to this photo. License can be found here.)
It might be easy to forget the reason for the season when you look at modern Christmas light displays, but if you think about Christ giving his life for the love and salvation of humanity it’s actually not that far off.
People who decorate their homes with elaborate displays do it out of love.
It costs them money, time, and a lot of hard work. But they do it out of love for spreading the Christmas spirit and bringing joy to their families and neighbors.
And some people have a whole lot of Christmas love in them. These are the Extreme Christmasers of America. The ones with the displays that make you go “WOW!” They go big when it comes to decorating their Christmas homes.
These are the people who win Christmas in their neighborhoods with their outrageous Christmas light displays. Westchester Woman complied our favorite examples of extreme Christmasing at its finest.
Here are 45 people who won Christmas with their outrageous Christmas light displays…
(Photo credit: Cory Doctorow. No changes were made to this photo. License can be found here.)
34th Street in Baltimore
Thousands flock to 34th Street in Baltimore each year to see the neighborhoods of houses that deck out their home for the holiday season.
Home Alone Christmas Displays
This tribute to Home Alone couldn’t be any more awesome.
The Garabedian House a.k.a. The Bronx Christmas House
The Garabedian family has been decorating this famous Christmas House since 1974.
“Something special happened to the family on Christmas Eve in 1973… This is our way of showing thanks to the Lord for what he did for us,” Mr. Garabedian was reported to have said, according to The Gothamist.
The Garabedian House located in Bronx, NY also known as The Bronx Christmas House was featured in Mariah Carey’s video for “All I Want for Christmas Is You when the house was decorated with smaller dolls. The decorations have changed over the years to include exquisite lifesize dolls.
Christmas in Nevada
Christmas spirit can hardly contain itself with all of this elegance.
Henrico, VA House
Santas, Santas everywhere!
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation House
This house has just about everything from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It doesn’t get cooler than this.
Dyker Heights Neighborhood
This Brooklyn neighborhood is famous for its Christmas decorations. It is estimated that about 300,000 people flock here annually to check out these lights.
Rolf’s
This is Rolf’s German Restaurant in NYC and they go real fancy for Christmas.
Harry Potter Christmas
I’ll say yes to pretty much anything Harry Potter. Including this incredible Christmas light display set to the movie’s music.
I am Christmas
This guy loves Christmas so much he needed to be Christmas.
Missouri Christmas Light Map
This is genius! Billings, Montana made a list of 35+ locations in town that put on light displays. They even have a scavenger hunt with different items in each display. What do you spot at 4516 Stone St.?
Miracle on 9th Street in NYC
This is an awesomely festive pop-up bar that is all things Christmas, including holiday cocktails.
South 13th Street in PA
Everyone in the neighborhood on South 13th Street in PA goes all out for Christmas.
Bellingrath Gardens and Home in Alabama
The Bellingrath Gardens and Home in Alabama opens itself up to visitors who can walk the 65-acre estate to enjoy the 1,100 set pieces and 3 million lights.
Daystar in Texas
Daystar, a Christian TV network, located in Texas focuses on the reason for the season with their life-size Nativity. They also have lots of awesome drive-through light displays.
Santa’s Finland Crib
This place is light hanging out at Santa’s house plus the Northern Lights! The official home of Santa Claus in Rovaniemi, Lapland is located in Finland.
New Jersey Contractor’s House
This New Jersey home surely is merry and bright.
(Photo Credit: sk/Flickr. There were no changes made to this photo. License can be found here.)
Trista Lights
The Trista Lights go big with their LED display which was featured on The Christmas Light Fight.
Burbank, CA
Here we have Santa’s workshop in Burbank, CA.
(Photo Credit: Cory Doctorow/Flickr. There were no changes made to this photo. License can be found here.)
Santa Claus House – North Pole, Alaska
This is Santa Claus’ actual house in the North Pole and there are a ton of activities. Get details here.
The Reason For The Season
Simple and beautiful in Kissimmee, Florida.
(Photo Credit: Christmas lights in Kissimmee/Flickr. There were no changes made to this photo. License can be found here.)
A Whole Lotta
There’s a whole lot of Christmas going on.
Oakdale Christmas House in St. Petersburg
The Oakdale Christmas House is quite extra and located in St. Petersburg Florida.
Peacock Lane, Portland
This Portland neighborhood has been decking its halls since 1928.
Candy Cane Lane
Candy Cane Lane, as it is affectionately called, is located in Torrance, CA neighborhood goes ALL out.
The Peckville Christmas House
The Peckville Christmas House has been in Peckville, PA for years.
Wikele Christmas Lights
The Yoshida family spearheaded the Wikele Christmas Light display that was featured on The Great Christmas Light Show.
Silcox Christmas House
A crazy Christmas House by the Silcoxs’.
Johnson’s Full Dubstep House
It’s a very Dupstep Christmas.
Nativity Party
This Nativity is more like a party.
Christmas on Comstock
The best way to check out the Christmas on Comstock is located in Gilbert, Arizona.
Arlington Santa House
A whole lot of Santas here in Arlington, VA.
(Photo Credit: Craig Pennington/Flickr. No changes made to this photo and the license can be found here.)
Tacky Lights Tour of Virginia
Tacky Christmas lights, sign me up! The Tacky Lights Tour of Virginia is located in Richmond, VA.
Martorana Christmas House of Wayne, NJ
The Martoranas of Wayne, NJ sure do love Christmas
Fye’s Crazy Christmas House
The Fye’s Crazy Christmas House is in Florida. They have their very own Facebook page with way better pictures. But even by this photo, you can tell that there is lots to look at!
The Rosewood Christmas House
The Rosewood Christmas House is on Rosewood Ct in Wyomissing, PA.
Christmas Mansion
This NJ mansion is elaborately decorated on the inside and located in Colts, Neck NJ.
Richmond, VA
All red, white, and green here!
(Photo Credit: Aaron Webb/Flickr. There were no changes made to this photo. License can be found here.)
Santa Face House
So clever and adorable!
The Ludy Christmas House
The Ludy Christmas House is located in Columbus, GA.
Roof Spectacular
This home and awesomely decorated roof is located in Jamaica Hills.
Defiance, OH
All your favorite Christmas characters are found here in Defiance, OH.
Corvallis, OR
Home in Corvallis, OR.
(Photo Credit: Kirt Edblom/Flickr. No changes made to this photo and the license can be found here.)
The Grinch House
Adorable!
(Photo Credit: Taber Andrew Bain/Flickr. No changes made to this photo and the license can be found here.)
Seattle, WA
A Seattle, WA home.
(Photo Credit: Joe Wolf/Flickr. No changes made to this photo and license can be found here.)