Preparing for the holiday season means a lot of work for Lawrence resident John Humphrey.

There’s the shopping and the entertaining of guests. But Humphrey has another project during the holiday season which can be time-consuming: Christmas lights.

Putting up lights around the house can be a chore for many people. But most can do the job in an afternoon or day — even less time if it involves just putting up a lighted wreath on the door. Humphrey, however, goes all out.

“It usually takes me four of five days to do this,” Humphrey said while looking at his heavily decorated yard. “How long it takes usually depends on how careful I am when I take things down. I’m usually not very careful because, by then, I’m kind of tired of them.”

While Humphrey’s house, 1320 Ranchero Drive, is somewhat hidden on a cul-de-sac, it’s hard to miss around the holidays. Drivers can even catch a glimpse of it along Bob Billings Parkway just before the road intersects with Monterey Way.

Humphrey’s frontyard display has about 20 lighted items, most of which he made, and involves thousands of lights. His lawn is like an incandescent forest illuminated with everything from polar bears to the Loch Ness monster.

“I have more in the garage and the basement,” he said. “But I don’t have enough room for everything, so I rotate items every three to five years.”

Humphrey caught the Christmas light bug about 20 years ago when he decided to enter a holiday lighting contest. After that, he began trying to top himself year after year.

But having so many lights can create problems. His wife, Pam, can’t use an iron or vacuum at night because it will cause a short.

John Humphrey has decorated nearly every inch of his yard with holiday lights. He's pictured on Monday at his home in west Lawrence.

Every night, he has to scout things out to make sure all the lights are working. And he won’t turn on the displays if it’s snowing or raining. Better to be safe than sorry, he said.

On a good note, Humphrey said he was lucky to have a tolerant wife and neighbors. His display has grown enough that it spills into a neighbor’s lawn.

“They’re really great about it, and I really appreciate it,” he said.

Some people may consider his efforts a way of seeking attention. Humphrey can see why. But that’s not the reason he does it year after year.

“There have been times where I’d rather not do it,” he admitted. “But it’s become a tradition, and whenever I think about not doing it, something happens that causes me to stop thinking that way.”

John Humphrey created this golfing polar bear with fencing and an assortment of lights and stands.

Bringing people joy or instilling people with the holiday spirit has become a high for Humphrey.

Brandon Woods Retirement Community staff members offer its residents a ride by the house seven or eight times a season. Sometimes they stop and ask him to talk about the display.

Earlier this season, someone left him a potato with a bow and a note attached talking about the “Christmas Potato.” The story goes that the potato was left in the yards of people with lighted displays as a way to thank them for their holiday spirit and brining joy to the season.

“I almost stepped on it because I didn’t know it was there,” he said of the potato. “It’s a nice story. I’d never heard of it before this year.”