EASTMAN, Ga. — Thousands of lights, hundreds of decorations and more than 1,000 extension cords sit in the yard at 5 Amanda Drive in Eastman.
It's a holiday tradition Amy Horton and Jay Attaway started in 2016. Each night in December, it comes alive at 6 p.m. Before that, there's a lot to do!
"This is a job every night that you have to come out here and do these," Horton said, switching on one of several battery-powered lights.
It's part of the couple's labor of love for the holiday season.
"I love the holidays. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I love to see kids being so happy. I love Christmas in general. Always have," Horton said.
Each year, the growing display is bigger than the next. The bills that come with it are growing, too.
"It does go up a few hundred dollars at least," Attaway said.
As they start planning for next year, they may have to budget more. The Georgia Public Service Commission approved a 6% rate hike for Georgia Power customers in December.
The increase will help pay for new nuclear power facilities at Plant Vogtle, near Augusta.
"For the first time in 34 years in America that a nuclear plant has been built," Commissioner Lauren McDonald said during the Dec. 19 meeting.
The new rates will hit your wallet after the newest reactor, Unit 4, comes online. The Associated Press reports the average customer will pay about $8.95 more each month. Rates already increased about 12% this year when Unit 3 fired up.
No matter how much their bill goes up, Horton and Attaway say they're determined to keep their tradition going.
"Next year, it's probably gonna be twice this size," Attaway said.
The display will be up for a few more days at 5 Amanda Drive in Eastman. The lights are on from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Horton says they already use a few ways to save, like using LED lights and battery-powered decorations.