A couple have turned their home into a tourist attraction with hundreds of Christmas lights that took 60 hours to install.
Phillip and Sarah Gratton from Meadowhead, Sheffield, have been decorating the outside of their family home with the bright festive display for 14 years.
“It’s worth it, it cheers everybody up”, sweet shop owner Phillip, 41, said.
The couple started decorating their suburban home back in 2007 with a light-up train gifted by a family member, and have added to their collection each year.
Now the collection holds a mix of old and new – with some decor dating back to the 1970s – complete with fairy lights, candy canes, snowmen and a ‘Santa stop here’ sign.
Both Phillip and Sarah, 38, say their impressive display has the approval of neighbours, and has prompted strangers to post Christmas cards through their door as a way of thanks.
The married couple raise money for different charities each year and this time have chosen a local playground, Friends Of Woodseats Playground: Graves Park.
Phillip started installing the lights in November, with the big switch on 1 December.
It adds about £600 to their electricity bill every year but Philip explained they pay it monthly so it doesn’t bother them much.
He said: “Everybody worries about our electricity bill, but we pay a set amount monthly so we don’t even notice it going up this time of year!
“We are already planning for next year. It gets bigger and better every year!”
In Other news, have you seen the man that has created a tiny festive beach hut as tribute to late mum – complete with fairy lights, tinsel and christmas gnomes
