In the world of holiday decorations, few films have captured the essence of extravagant Christmas cheer quite like “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” This iconic 1989 comedy starring Chevy Chase tells the tale of Clark Griswold’s search for the perfect family Christmas. Christmas without outrageous lights isn’t a Griswold Christmas. If you’ve ever watched the movie, you’ll undoubtedly remember the jaw-dropping moment when Clark finally reveals the Christmas lights adorning his house. But have you ever wondered how many lights appeared on the Christmas Vacation house? We will discover the secrets behind this dazzling display as we embark on this journey.
Christmas Lights: An Iconic Scene
The climax of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” centers around Clark Griswold’s commitment to creating a magical holiday experience for his family. To win a neighborhood decorating contest, he meticulously decorated his house with Christmas lights. Although the lights do not initially turn on, the reveal is nothing short of spectacular when they do. Griswold’s house is transformed into a blinding spectacle of over-the-top Christmas spirit.
Estimation
Although the number of Christmas lights used in the movie has never been officially disclosed, fans and Christmas enthusiasts have attempted to estimate them. Approximately 25,000 lights were put on the Griswold house, according to one estimate. This estimate is based on the number of lights used in similar real-life displays, as well as assumptions about the size of the Griswold house and the density of sunlight.
The challenges of estimation
Several factors complicate estimating the number of lights used in the Christmas Vacation house. These include:
- There are multiple shots of the house covered in lights from different angles in the movie, which makes counting difficult.
- There were different types of lights used in the display, including small and large bulbs, which further complicates estimations.
- The magic of filmmaking can make the house appear even brighter than it is, making it difficult to estimate the number of lights.
In conclusion
One of the most iconic Christmas light displays in cinema is that of Clark Griswold. However, it’s also very energy-intensive. Use LED lights instead of incandescent lights if you’re planning to put up a big Christmas light display this year. You can save much more electricity with LED lights, which are also more durable.
Additional facts about the Griswold House Christmas lights:
- It was possible to see the lights from miles away because they were so bright.
- As a result of the lights, the neighborhood lost power.
- For Clark Griswold, putting up the lights took several weeks.
- Throughout the country, tourists flocked to the lights because they were so popular.
It’s a reminder that Christmas is a time to enjoy the simple things in life with family and friends, regardless of how over-the-top Clark Griswold’s Christmas light display was.