Photo: xbrchx (Shutterstock)
For a few weeks each year, some people make the decision to adorn the outside of their home and yard with strings lights and face a higher-than-usual electric bill in order to spread some holiday cheer in their neighborhood. But sometimes the most elaborately decorated houses aren’t located on main roads.
In the past, you had to rely on word-of-mouth to find the most Griswold-like homes in your area. But now, an interactive map on the Nextdoor app will point you in the right direction with a few taps. Here’s what to know.
How to use the interactive map
Technically, it’s called the Cheer Map, and in order to use it, you have to have a Nextdoor account, which is free to create and use (as in, there’s no monetary cost—like any apps, you’re paying with your personal data). Once you’re all set up, you can use the map to locate festively lit houses in your area, or add your own home to the map.
To find decorated homes
To locate your neighborhood Cheer Map, open the Nextdoor app on your iPhone or Android. Then tap “More” at the bottom right of the screen, and then tap “Cheer Map” underneath “Neighborhood.” You’ll then be redirected to the Cheer Map, where you will see your neighborhood map centered around a pin of your home. Your neighbors with holiday displays will be marked with a holiday light bulb icon.
To add your home to the map
Follow the directions above. When you get to your neighborhood Cheer Map and see the pin of your home, tap “Add your home.” Then pick a color for your light bulb, and tap “Save.” To remove your home from the map, tap on “Edit Your Pin,” followed by “Remove My Pin,” and you should be all set.
