Christmas in America: Over the Top, Close to the Heart – The New York Times

A chance meeting with a synthetic, 40-foot-tall, somewhat disturbing Santa guarding a Christmas tree lot made Jesse Rieser realize the strange ways Americans show their love for the holiday season. Since that fateful encounter in Glendale, Ariz., in 2010, Mr. Rieser has dedicated himself to finding the most over-the-top home light displays, outlandish Santas and overworked elves, as well as sincere displays of religious devotion.