My cousin lives in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn an area notorious for the over-the-top Christmas displays. The preparations start after Halloween and from Thanksgiving until well into January, she can not use her car because there is no way to get close to her house nor to park her car because of the traffic that comes from all over to see the displays. Traffic (both vehicular and pedestrian) is tied up and at a stand still for miles. There are even tour buses that come in full of people to see the displays. She has had people ring her bell and ask if they could use her bathroom. She has cried that life during this time of year is miserable -- if she shops she has no way to get close to her home to drop off her parcels and or groceries. And hiring a car or taxi doesn't help because they can't get near her home either. It is total madness. She says she lives in a Christmas Prison! She has stopped having any holiday gatherings for this reason and the past couple of years will stay at her sister's house for the bulk of the Christmas season. She is now talking about selling her beautiful home because she just can't take it any more. After seeing what she goes through, I see the other side of the coin.
When we bought our home here in the Villages, I totally forgot to ask about my neighbor's Christmas decorations. I thank God that we were lucky and do not live next to anyone whose decorations belong more in a commercially zoned area rather than residential.
Take a look:
Best Christmas Lights in the World - Dyker Heights NY Holiday Lights Extravaganza!!!! - YouTube