A MAN who’s spent £5,000 covering his home in 10,000 Christmas lights has revealed the clever money-saving hack which keeps his energy bills down.
Naylan Dane Thomas has splashed the cash on giving his Wales home an extravagant festive transformation for the third year in a row.
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He has amped up the display this time – yet identified savvy tricks to control his utility bill costs despite the UK’s rising cost of living.
This is 32-year-old Nathan’s first Christmas in a new home and hotel he’s bought in the south Wales village of Pontyclun.
He has put 150 Nutcracker figurines on display as well as the 10,000 individual lights and LED versions of Santa Claus.
Despite the £5,000 overall price, he says it could all have cost a lot more but for his careful approach when buying.
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He told of collecting figurines including toy soldiers from charity shops or on Facebook Marketplace and other second-hand sales apps.
And Naylan added: “I’ve also managed to save on energy this year, by making sure I’m only using low-wattage LED bulbs that don’t consume as much energy.
“I was always going to put the lights up and I wasn’t going to stop because of some bills.
“I wanted to do it for the young kids and families that may be struggling – to see their faces light up when they see them is just great, I love it.
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“Everyone is having a tough time at the moment due to the cost of living, so it is nice to give them that relief and spread some Christmas spirit.
“We have even been given thank you notes in the past for the lights.”
Naylan spent a week putting up the decorations, after what he described as “a mad weekend shopping spree looking around for the best deals”.
He said: “It took numerous trips, it was a bit of a whirlwind.
“Just that weekend I easily spent £3,000 on the decorations for both inside and outside, but to me they are an investment.
“I put these decorations up for no other reason other than the fact I love Christmas.
“The lights go on at dusk every day and turn off at 10pm – anyone is welcome to come and see them.”
He spent £3,600 on his Christmas illuminations last year, insisting the investment was “worth every penny”.
Elsewhere, a mum-of-two in Exeter in Devon has also gone the extra mile with festive embellishments – creating what she calls a “Christmas SelfieLand”.
And a Leeds family revealed the free Christmas attraction they’ve been working on and which attracts a cult following.
But a couple from the Australian city of Brisbane they they’ve been to take down their outdoor decorations by “Scrooge” council chiefs following up two neighbours’ complaints.
Meanwhile, an OAP in Dorset who grew a Christmas tree from a seedling she got free in The Sun now needs someone to chop it down after it soared to 25ft.
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