'Mega' Christmas light displays expected to increase by 50% despite cost concerns, says BC Hydro

Despite ongoing concerns about the increase in the cost of living, a BC Hydro report has found Christmas enthusiasts aren’t going to let that stop their mega-light displays.

Typically, about 15% of British Columbians set up large outdoor holiday displays each year, which includes more than 10 strings of lights and multiple blow up or electronic decorations.

Large light displays are expected to increase by 50%, says BC Hydro.

Kyle Donaldson, a spokesperson for the utility service, says 100% of “mega decorators” said they will create a large display of lights and other decorations this holiday season.

People living in the Lower Mainland are most likely to have cost concerns when decorating but are still more than three times as likely to have those large, twinkling displays in their front yards, says the utility company.

Those concerns aren’t misled either. BC Hydro says the cost to run one inflatable holiday display, like a blow up Santa or snowman, can add an extra $50 to British Columbians’ electricity bills over the holidays because they typically run 24/7.

As a result of higher costs, more than one third of British Columbians surveyed said they thought a minimalist approach to decorations was best this year. They’ll be putting up one or two strings of outdoor lights and maybe one inflatable.

However, 18% don’t plan on decorating at all. Minimalists and non-decorators said they don’t have the extra cash to either buy decorations or power them this year.