This year, holiday decorating took on new meaning for people who had been cooped up inside their homes for the bulk of 2020. Not only does putting up a tree or getting out the menorah give the inside of your home a festive feel, but you have an entire second canvas to work with outside. From those with giant houses with driveways (and/or moats), to others with apartments with a balcony (or fire escape), people were getting into the holiday decorating this year.
Plus, at a time with such limited (safe) entertainment options, driving or walking around looking at holiday lights gives people something different to do—at least for a few weeks. (Think of it as a very big, spaced-out public art installation.) Most years, the decorations and lights tend to come down towards the end of the year (although who knows what’ll happen this year). And given that today is December 24th—aka Christmas Eve—it’s one of your last chances to take in these sights.
But what if you don’t have time to spend driving (or walking) around looking for the best displays? Well, you no longer have to, thanks to this interactive “Holiday Cheer” map. Here’s how to use it.
How to use the holiday lights map
This interactive “Holiday Cheer” map comes to us from the most natural brand partnership for something like this: the Nextdoor app and the Hallmark Channel (specifically their “Countdown to Christmas”). And yes, in order to use the map, you do need to download the Nextdoor app (though that doesn’t mean you’re committed to using it beyond the end of the year).
Once you’re on the app, visit the “Cheer Map” section and start planning out the perfect route for taking in all of the holiday lights displays. And if you have any questions or need any help, this page should help with that. The map will be up and running through the end of the year.