If you’re a fan of the classic Christmas movie, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you’ve undoubtedly seen Clark Griswold’s extravagant holiday light display. But have you ever wondered just how many lights he used to create that magical winter wonderland?
Well, wonder no more! In the movie, Clark’s house is adorned with an incredible 25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights. Yes, you read that right – 25,000!
How did Clark manage to string up all those lights?
Clark was determined to create a holiday display that would make his family proud and leave his neighbors in awe. He spent countless hours on the roof of his house, risking life and limb as he strung up the thousands of tiny bulbs.
But it wasn’t just the roof that got the Clark Griswold treatment – the entire exterior of his home was covered in lights. From the gutters to the windowsills to every inch of lawn space, there was no shortage of festive illumination.
The Cost of Clark’s Lights
While Clark’s dedication to creating a memorable holiday display is certainly admirable, it does raise some questions about the cost of all those lights. Given that this movie was set in the late 80s/early 90s, it’s safe to assume that these imported Italian twinkle lights were not cheap.
According to some rough calculations based on current prices for high-quality outdoor Christmas lights, it’s estimated that Clark would have spent upwards of $3,000 on his holiday light display. That’s a pretty hefty price tag for a few weeks’ worth of festive cheer!
- Fun Fact: The production crew for National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation actually had to use special effects to create some of the more complex lighting sequences. For example, when Clark finally manages to get all 25,000 lights turned on at once, it required the use of a separate electrical grid!
- Another Fun Fact: While Clark’s light display might seem over-the-top, there are definitely some real-life examples that give him a run for his money. For example, in 2019, a family in Australia set the Guinness World Record for the most Christmas lights on a residential property – with a whopping 1,194,380 lights!
The Legacy of Clark Griswold’s Lights
While Clark’s holiday light display may have caused him some stress and financial strain in the short term, it’s clear that his efforts had a lasting impact. Even decades later, people still talk about and admire his dedication to creating a magical holiday experience for his family and community.
In fact, there are now countless online communities and resources dedicated to helping people create their own Clark Griswold-inspired holiday displays. From tips on how to safely hang thousands of lights to advice on where to find the best deals on festive decorations, there’s no shortage of inspiration out there.
The Takeaway
So there you have it – when it comes to Christmas lights, nobody does it quite like Clark Griswold. While 25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights might seem excessive (and expensive), there’s no denying that they helped create one of the most iconic holiday movie scenes of all time.
Whether you’re inspired to create your own over-the-top light display or simply content to enjoy the glow of your neighbor’s festive decorations from afar, there’s no denying that holiday lights have a special way of bringing joy and cheer during the darkest days of winter.