Why do people feel the need to outdo each other on outdoor Christmas decorating?

Answer 1

I agree with Miss Taryn,. It is a male thing.....the need for competition, the need to destroy the opponents, and conquer the neighbor with Christmas lights. I don't think there is a woman on the face on the earth who would climb on a roof and create a roof sized Chevy logo out of Christmas lights! I am not making that one up.....I have seen it.

I live in an area where some of the subdivisions equip houses with additional outdoor electrical panels just for this purpose. What some of these houses look like defy description. There is sooooooo many different things going on....all over the place it some of these yards.....you don't know what it because you are blinded by the billion of lights!

Why do these people do it? Good question. I just wonder what the winner of causing the most accidents gets!! We have all driven by these houses and said .....what the???? Some of these decorations leave you speechless.....but they are good for a laugh.....once you recover.

Answer 2

I am not sure, but my neighbors feel the need to use 50 times the lights, nativity scenes, stars etc. that everyone else does. We have a contest in the town for the best decorated and they can't win because they won last year, so im not so sure what the need for competition is... It is sort of childish- i think it might be the man of the house's idea :) LOL

Answer 3

That's a really good question! I guess basically they want attention...people to slow down in their cars and say "Wow, it sure took a lot of time to set THAT up!"

But it might also be an outlet for all the pent-up frustration and stress from the rest of the year. Christmas means the end of the year, so maybe it's a way of saying "The year didn't beat me, I still have enough energy and patience to put up this display!"

Answer 4

Oh, yeah like in the movie "The Grinch"? Yeah, I don't know. But, here in Burton, MI we have a compitition to see whose house looks the best with the lights and who has the most lights, and what not. My family has never won. We just put the lights up...well, cuz it's a tradition (lol). And if we, win, then we win.
But, here in my neighborhood, it just "may the best 'man' win."
You know, there's no hard feelings.
So, yeah we just do it for fun.


I don't know what you get if your house wins but I have a feeling it's something nice.

Answer 5

I don't know what the deal is -- I work hard every day, and when this Long-Term Single Parent (FINALLY I've become an Empty-Nesting Single Retiree) comes home -- it is me in the dark with the light strings that is outside and setting my home's display up. I just like to put out things that please me -- and yes, I've seen the men out there looking things over and rushing around with their ladders -- etc ...

Answer 6

Ostentatious displays have always been used to show status -- if you can afford a huge christmas display, it shows you're wealthy, have free time to put up the display, and are oh-so committed to "christmas spirit."

Nothing different from remodeling your front yard to make your house look bigger and worth more -- all about looking important.

Answer 7

I can only assume they have such boring lives ..why else would anyone go to the lengths some people do for such a pointless task..not to mention the global warming and electricity that is used...

Answer 8

It reflects upon you ability to help promote the Christmas spirit, and that burning need for competition

Answer 9

It all goes with keeping up with the Joneses...grass has to be greener, flowers have to be bigger, etc.
Have you ever seen this video? I'd say they've outdone them all.

Answer 10

I think in most cases they do it because people enjoy it however it also could be they enjoy the attention.