Merry Christmas!, originally uploaded by P.S.Zollo.

I don't know what you call a person lit up with holiday LEDs, but "housebling" is new UK slang for houses festooned with extravagant Christmas displays.

And not everyone there thinks housebling is a good idea. Click here for a fun yet fact-filled critical look at "The Hidden Costs of Christmas Bling."

No, No Noel bonus: There are other costs of Christmas displays both large and small, with the greatest harm occasioned by assaults on good taste. Thanks to a timely reminder from Techspace, I've just made my annual pilgrimage to the Cavalcade of Bad Nativities. Go, all ye faithful!