griswolding

The act of touring through various neighborhoods searching for garish, tacky or otherwise 'over-the-top' holiday displays.

A reference to the family name, Griswold, of the characters from the National Lampoon film series; most notably the National Lampoons Holiday Vacation.

We loaded up the minivan with the kids and the camcorder and headed out Griswolding.

by barec2 December 25, 2006

Clark Griswold-ing it

When someone has the parks far back in a parking lot, even when there are plenty of spaces available closer; When one fails to realize that the person whom they are trying to yell for is right behind them; overabundance of christmas lights.

Dude! Why are you Clark Griswold-ing it?!?!?!?! There are plenty of spaces closer to the door!!

Well... Looks like the Smith's Clark Griswold-ed their house for Christmas again!!

by Just_Kidding December 5, 2012

Griswoldian Christmas Display

From the 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' movie character, Clark Griswold and his overdone Christmas lights display.

Any obscenely over-the-top holiday lights display on someone's home. Often done in an insanely competitive, anti- "peace on Earth, goodwill towards men" desire to outdo and one-up the neighbors.

Jack: Dude, you're late for work again. And you've been looking like hell lately. What's up?

Shawn: I haven't had any sleep in days. My neighbor's Griswoldian Christmas display is so freakin' bright it's been keeping me up all night. AND it's draining so much power it caused a black out in my neighborhood last night, so my alarm clock didn't go off!

by Wasabi-Woman December 7, 2009

griswalding

To decorate ones home exhorbitantly with Christmas lights and decorations.

We just finished Griswalding our home.

by Charmore December 3, 2013

Griswalding

Based on the rivalry between Clark Griswald, and his neighbor to have the most impressive, Christmas light display (as seen in the movie "Christmas Vacation",) "Griswalding" happens when your neighbor meets, or beats your light display, only to trigger a more obscene attempt on your part to outdo your challenger. The winnner is decided by ... who has the higher electric bill in January

Dude... we got our lights up early. Now look... that douchebag across the street is Griswalding us!. Back the store for more lights! How many strands CAN YOU hook in one sequence without blowing the breaker???

by Flash Kolo December 11, 2013

Griswoldic

A foolishly impractical endeavor in the pursuit of family fun ideals

I led my family on a griswoldic hike to the end of Cape Cod.

by HuskyDoozy October 20, 2025