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Smithtown's Griswold Family Lights Up Long Island with Holiday Wonderland

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  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/0 .. ghts-up-long-island-with-holiday-wonderland.html
  Published in House and Home on Monday, December 1st 2025 at 20:51 GMT by NBC New York

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A Holiday Wonderland in Smithtown: The Griswold Christmas Vacation House

Nestled on a quiet suburban street in Smithtown, New York, the Griswold family’s vacation house has become a seasonal beacon for holiday‑season visitors. With its sprawling lawn, tree‑lined drive, and an elaborate, multi‑layered light display, the house has earned a reputation as one of the most picturesque Christmas attractions in Long Island. The NBC New York feature dives deep into the history, construction, and community impact of the Griswold display, offering readers both a visual treat and a heartfelt story of family, tradition, and philanthropy.

The Griswold Legacy

The story begins with the Griswold family, who moved to Smithtown in the early 1970s. Their original home was a modest colonial, but the couple’s love for architecture and the festive spirit led them to build a vacation retreat on a 2‑acre plot just outside town. The house itself is a mid‑century modern with a dramatic glass façade and a wrap‑around porch—an aesthetic that sets the stage for the year‑long transformation that follows each holiday season.

The article emphasizes that the Griswolds are not just homeowners but active contributors to their community. They regularly donate portions of the house’s proceeds to local charities, sponsor holiday events for the Smithtown‑area community center, and have even partnered with the town’s historic preservation society to restore nearby landmarks.

Building the Display: A Year‑long Process

NBC New York’s piece meticulously documents the months of work that go into creating the Griswold display. The family typically begins brainstorming ideas in late October. “We try to keep it fresh each year, so we incorporate new themes, technology, and, most importantly, feedback from the neighbors,” one Griswold sister, Julia, says in an interview.

1. Planning & Design

The design phase starts with a mood board that incorporates color palettes, music, and thematic motifs. The family employs a professional lighting designer, who uses 3‑D modeling software to simulate how the lights will look from different angles of the driveway and from inside the house.

2. Procurement & Logistics

Once the design is finalized, the Griswolds purchase the lights—mostly LED—and the sound system. They also source recycled materials for the backdrop: old holiday ornaments, reclaimed wood from the town’s historic mill, and hand‑painted panels that showcase local artists’ works.

3. Construction

A team of family members and hired contractors work from late November through mid‑December. The team sets up the lighting rigs, runs wiring, and mounts the LED strips along the eaves, along the staircase, and in the interior atrium. The audio system, which runs a curated playlist of holiday classics mixed with family‑recorded greetings, is installed and tested for optimal acoustics.

4. Final Touches & Rehearsal

The final week before the house opens for tours involves a rehearsal. The Griswolds walk through each entrance and exit, ensuring the lights shine at the right angles and that the sound system can be heard from the front yard. They also run a safety check, making sure all wires are properly insulated and that the system is compliant with local building codes.

The Visitor Experience

The article highlights the sheer joy the display brings to its visitors. Every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the Griswolds open their gates to the public from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The house is surrounded by a paved walkway lined with pine cones and holiday garlands, leading up to the front door. Inside, the house features an expansive living room with a giant fireplace, a dining area that can accommodate up to 120 people, and a “cookie station” where visitors can bake with the family’s secret recipe.

The NBC New York piece includes a virtual tour link that lets remote visitors experience the ambiance. The virtual tour showcases the rotating lights, the twinkling stars on the roof, and a live‑streamed Christmas carol performance each holiday night.

Community Impact & Future Plans

Beyond its beauty, the Griswold display has a measurable positive effect on Smithtown. The article cites a recent town survey that found a 30 % increase in local tourism revenue during the holiday season, partly attributed to the Griswold house. The family’s charitable contributions have also funded the renovation of the Smithtown Library’s Christmas event program and the repair of the old town clock tower.

Looking ahead, the Griswolds plan to expand the display to include an outdoor ice‑skating rink and a “Light & Sound Festival” that features local bands and holiday vendors. They also aim to launch a sustainability initiative—moving towards a fully solar-powered lighting system by 2026.

Takeaway

The NBC New York feature on the Griswold Christmas vacation house paints a vivid portrait of a family that turned a simple house into a holiday pilgrimage site. Through meticulous planning, community involvement, and a genuine love for the season, the Griswolds have crafted a display that is as magical as it is meaningful. For anyone traveling to Long Island during the holidays, a visit to the Griswold house is not just a visual delight but a chance to experience the warmth and generosity that define the season.