As winter nights settle in, homes across New York state awaken with the enchanting glow of holiday lights. Amidst the festive spirit, families grapple with a growing concern – the surge in electric bills. 

For the Boughton family, their annual lights display, now a cherished community tradition, finds its origins in a generous stranger moved by the spectacle, offering to contribute toward the family's electric bill. 

"A gentleman who had an autistic son, as I was driving by, he said, 'Dad, light,' and apparently, this was the first time this young man ever spoke to his father," Roger Boughton Jr. said. "To say it touched all of us and set this into what you see today."

What began as a modest display over two decades ago for the Boughtons has flourished into a captivating holiday light show, attracting thousands with enchanting interactions with Santa Claus and an abundance of family-friendly fun, as Tanner Boughton explains.

"I'm out on the street, no candy cane, stuff like that," Tanner said. "[I was] telling people they can come see Santa and stuff like that. So yeah, it's pretty big."

You can explore A Very Boughton Christmas Display on Facebook.

Yet, rising energy costs haven't deterred families like the Boughtons from spreading the holiday spirit. A new Homeowner Holiday Lights survey reveals that hiring a professional for such displays averages over $1,000, while a do-it-yourself approach costs just over $400 in New York state.

"One of the biggest things you can do is make sure you have LED bulbs," said National Grid spokesperson Patrick Stella. "Most people have. I've been buying those over the years, but if you're still hanging on to your old lights, consider purchasing some LED bulbs. You can save 10 to 15 times the cost on your energy bill just by doing that."

In the spirit of giving, National Grid annually donates lights and holiday decorations to the Ronald McDonald Foundation in the capital region, bringing joy to children and families undergoing medical treatment.

The environmental perspective adds depth to the story. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, switching to LED lights consumes less electricity and boasts a longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs. Additionally, using a timer can help control when the lights are on, minimizing unnecessary energy usage. 

For Frank Naccarato, the cost of holiday lights, "a couple of hundred dollars every Christmas," is a small price for the joy it brings.

The Naccarato family believes that holiday lights are more than decorations – they are a source of brightness and cheer during the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of health, family and gratitude.

"When you have your health, you have it all," said Lori Naccarato. "I say it every day. Family and friends, yeah, that's all that matters."

"In the darkest of times, you just look for the light," Ryan Naccarato said. "Even in the worst situations, there's always something to be grateful for, something to be thankful for. So I think if everybody can kind of just take that approach, you know, have a happy holiday season, no matter what adversity you're going through and battling."

For those seeking to balance festive celebrations with responsible energy consumption, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation provides valuable information on ways to save as you set up your holiday lights. You can visit dec.ny.gov for more details.