Man Continues Yearly Display Of Holiday Lights For Community Despite Electric Bill Reaching $1,200

Dec 18, 2022 by apost team

From the festive feels to the cold breeze of December, Christmas is, without a doubt, the best time of the year. But more than the magic in the air, Christmas is all about giving back to others after receiving abundant blessings in the year that was. It could be as simple as cooking for one’s neighbor or wrapping gifts – regardless of the price of the item. After all, it’s always the thought that counts.

For a 33-year-old man named Paul Hutchinson from Sunderland in the United Kingdom, it’s all about decorating his house with lights that make people smile each time they pass by his home. But if you think it’s a simple setup, it’s actually not because he makes sure to cover his residence with a display light show every year.

Sadly, he had to spend more in 2022 due to rising energy costs. To keep his house lit, he would need to pay an additional $13.40 per day. He started lighting up his house on Nov. 6, 2021, and made plans to take them off on Jan. 2, 2023. In total, he expects his energy bill to reach as high as $1,200 by the time it’s over.

But he won’t let the energy crisis ruin the tradition of bringing smiles to the faces of other people as he promised himself that it wouldn’t stop him from putting up his annual light show.

“I’ve always put Christmas lights up,” Hutchinson told Metro. “The energy company’s hiking up their prices won’t stop me from doing it.”

Hutchinson went on to share how he would only pay half the price of the current energy costs back when the decorations still weren’t up.

“It costs me £18 (about $22) per day, as opposed to £7 ($8.53) per day before the decorations go up. But it’s worth it to see the kid’s faces when they walk past,” he said.

Hutchinson said people from different places come and visit his place just to get a glimpse of what has become a tourist destination of sorts for fans of Christmas decorations.

“Every child has the right to see Christmas lights and they all love it. People come from all over the North East to see the lights and I put them up when the council puts their lights up so it’s part of the show,” he remarked.

One cannot question his dedication to his yearly tradition as it also comes with a huge Christmas tree that can be found in his front yard – not to mention shiny reindeer as well as a life-sized Nutcracker.

But more than making other people happy, he also feels joyful seeing his son get excited to put up the Christmas decorations once Halloween is over. It has become a yearly family affair for them, in a way, too.

“My son loves it,” he said. “As soon as Halloween is done he wants to hang the Christmas decorations,” he added.

Hutchinson owes it to his parents, who gave him the best childhood experience of making him feel the Christmas spirit.

“My mam and dad always put Christmas decorations up with me as a child and it’s a great experience,” he said.

On why he does it, he said: “I do it for the community, no one talks to each other anymore and it’s a shame."

“This brings people together and is a conversation starter. We have kids posing with the tree in the garden. It’s wonderful to see,” he stated.

apost.com

What can you say about Paul Hutchinson’s dedication to making other people feel the Christmas spirit? Let us know your thoughts, and pass this on to other people who might find this story interesting!