How a Christmas lights competition with neighbours turned into an obsession

21 Dec 2025 • 5:00 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

image is not available

A grandfather's festive lights display started out as a competition with his neighbours before evolving into an "obsession" which locals say "marks the start of Christmas".

Every year since 2011, David Carter has decorated his home in Gamston, a village on the outskirts of Nottingham, with hundreds of lights, raising just under £22,000 for the nearby RSPCA Radcliffe Animal Centre, where his wife used to work.

Taking 150 to 200 hours to put up, 1750 individual bulbs add "well over" £200 to David's electricity bill over the Christmas period.

You can donate to his fundraiser here.

Newswav Malaysia Best News App

Newswav is an online content aggregator and obtains its content from different online sources. The content in the app do not belong to Newswav nor do they reflect the opinions of Newswav and its staff. Your use of this app indicates your understanding and acceptance of this information.

Newswav Sdn. Bhd. (201701008480 (1222645-M)) 2026 All Rights Reserved