The 1989 movie Christmas Vacation is a classic holiday film loved by many. In the movie, Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, decorates his house with an excessive amount of Christmas lights. But just how many lights did he put up?
Well, according to a fan-made calculation on Reddit, Clark Griswold’s house in Christmas Vacation had approximately 25,000 lights! That’s a lot of electricity.
If you’re wondering how they came up with that number, they based it on the size of the house and the density of the lights. They estimated that Clark used around 2.5 watts per bulb and factored in the cost of running those lights for a month.
But let’s be honest, the exact number of lights doesn’t really matter. What matters is the hilarity and chaos that ensues when Clark attempts to turn them all on at once.
In one scene, he goes through great lengths to make sure everything is perfect before flipping the switch. He even has his family and neighbors gather around to witness the grand lighting ceremony.
But when he finally does turn them on, chaos ensues. The lights overload the electrical system causing a city-wide power outage and leaving Clark in complete darkness.
This iconic scene perfectly captures the holiday spirit of going over-the-top with decorations and enjoying time with loved ones (even if it means enduring some mishaps along the way).
So while we may never know exactly how many lights Clark Griswold used in Christmas Vacation, we can appreciate his dedication to creating a festive atmosphere and bringing joy to those around him.
Next time you’re decorating for the holidays, take some inspiration from Clark (but maybe not too much). Happy holidays!