My mother and I caught our first glimpse of the lights while driving down Washington Street. In between the houses and trees, we could tell they were something special. That first sighting set us on an adventure to find them. And we did.
A short drive down Morningside and a right turn at the stop sign led us to the festive display at 408 North Street.
This residential light display on a dead-end road in Clarkesville is a mix of Christmas spirit and skill. The limbs on the trees are neatly wrapped, and amidst the soft holiday hues, there’s a sense of nostalgia. Lighted plastic molds of Santa and snowmen, the Nativity, and blowups, stand out against the glistening tree lights.
What a delight!
Jeremy Miller says his young children encouraged him to put up the lights after being inspired last year by a TV show.
“We were watching the Great Christmas Light Fight, or whatever it is, and they said, ‘Hey, Dad, can we do some lights?’ and I said, “You know what, let’s do it. Let’s just go all out, and let’s start putting lights everywhere!”
And that’s what they did. In 2021, the Millers put up their first Christmas light display, and now it’s a growing tradition.
“It’s twice as big as last year,” says Jeremy, whose children, London and Graham, help him with the display. “I didn’t get finished doing everything I want. Next year should be twice as big as that, so we’re just going to keep adding to it.”
Jeremy doesn’t know precisely how many lights he and his children have strung: “I lost count,” he says. He estimates there are 5,000 to 6,000 lights in each tree. With around two dozen trees on the property, that’s a lot of shimmer and shine for visitors to enjoy.
“Well, we just wanted to do it because we thought that it would look beautiful, and we just wanted people to be happy and come up here and see the lights,” says 7-year-old Graham.
Graham says the time he and his sister spend helping their dad is one of the best parts of the display. Next year, they may get to spend even more time together. Standing in his yard tweaking the lights with less than ten days before Christmas, Jeremy says one month to prepare wasn’t long enough.
“Next year, I’ll need to start in October instead of November, and we’ll get it done that way.”
He says being featured one day on the TV show that started it all is not on his radar.
“No, no, no, no, no, no,” he says of trying to get on The Great Christmas Light Fight. “[It’s] just for fun.”
And in the spirit of fun, the Millers are keeping their driveway gate open at night during the holidays so visitors can drive through.
“You’re welcome to come up, enjoy it, take pictures, do whatever,” says Jeremy, adding, “I hope everybody in the community enjoys it.”
Miller’s Christmas Lights
Where: 408 North Street, Clarkesville, GA
When: Nightly
What to know: It’s a dead-end street on a narrow road where lots of children live, so please be courteous and cautious. There is a circular drive, and the public is welcome to use it.
