Aussies set world record for Christmas lights

An Australian family has reclaimed a Guinness World Record title by stringing more than 500,000 Christmas lights around their home, as reported by CNN.

The Richards family, who is based in Canberra, set the record for most number of Christmas lights on a residential property with 502,165 bulbs.

They previously set the record in 2001 with 331,038 lights, but the title went to the Gay family in New York last year with a display of 346,283 lights.

This year, the Richards family decided to rise to the challenge and break the record by a long shot, so it will not be defeated for awhile. 

Their efforts paid off as Guinness World Record officials authenticated the record last month. The Richards’ property also happens to be the former Japanese embassy, with a wide driveway right in front.

Richards built a canopy over the driveway and overlaid it with lights.

As thousands of people flock to their home to view the magnificent display, the Richards family collects donations that will go towards various causes.

Two years ago, they raised $78,000 for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Kids ACT, which went towards hiring two counselors for families who lost a child to SIDS.

David Richards and his wife Janean lost a child to SIDS a decade ago, and hopes to raise $100,000 this year.

They started the project in October and spent time after work and on weekends ensuring the display would come to fruition.

“I got the last bulb up… just before Guinness arrived,” Richards said.

The lights display is expected to increase the family’s electricity bill by about $2500 a month, with the local electricity company absorbing the cost by using renewable energy.