In Florida, holiday gatherings are a unique spectacle; less Norman Rockwell and more National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with humidity.

While the rest of the country bundles up, Floridians are juggling Christmas lights, hurricane shutters, and that one uncle who insists it’s “not that hot” as he secretly lowers the thermostat to 65.

It’s a state where families don’t agree on much: football loyalties, Publix sub orders, the correct pronunciation of “Okeechobee,” and whether it’s actually cold enough to wear a jacket when the temperature dips below 70.

But there is one surprising subject that manages to cross party lines, family rivalries, and generations: saving money on electricity.

And as it turns out, the holidays in Florida are the perfect moment to bring it up.

Maybe it starts with the lights. There’s always one neighbor attempting a Clark Griswold-level display — reindeer on the roof, synchronized music, a light show so bright it could guide ships into Tampa Bay.

But if those lights are LED, pointing out that all those lights cost just a few dollars to run is an easy, harmless way into the conversation. It’s relatable, it’s festive, and, unlike most holiday topics, it doesn’t end in a heated debate.

From there, the conversation has a way of drifting toward solar, which is practically Florida’s unofficial state accessory at this point. In a place where the sun shines aggressively year-round and electricity rates rise like a tsunami in Japan, rooftop solar has become a Florida homeowner’s version of “I finally started taking my vitamins.” You don’t have to preach. A quick, “Our bill hasn’t budged all year, solar’s been a blessing,” is usually enough to get Aunt Teri’s attention, especially if she’s been side-eyeing her own utility bill since the last utility rate increase.

And then there’s battery storage, a topic that needs no introduction in a state where the power flickers whenever someone sneezes too hard. Mentioning that your battery kept the lights on during the last storm is a guaranteed conversation starter. Batteries are the quiet, calm no-spark-plugs-oil-changes-air-filters-or-fuel-filters counterpoint to the gas generators that rattle so loudly they could double as percussion for the Outback Bowl halftime show.

By dessert, the conversation tends to migrate toward holiday gifts. Nationwide, people are gifting practical items, but Floridians take it to the next level. Smart plugs? Perfect. Timers for Christmas lights? Absolutely. Solar-powered outdoor lamps? Peak Florida energy. These are the stocking stuffers that don’t melt, mold, or require insurance. And every family has that one Floridian who unwraps a smart thermostat and reacts like they’ve won on a scratch-off ticket.

Eventually, someone proposes a Florida-style energy challenge, usually the family member who has just discovered their utility app. “Let’s compare December bills,” they say, as if they’re launching a statewide competition. It’s friendly, mostly. Those with solar and battery storage have a clear advantage, but in the spirit of the season, nobody brings that up — except Cousin Eddie, who accuses them of cheating anyway.

But humor aside, there’s something oddly wholesome about it: in a state where people argue over everything from manatee speed zones to the correct way to prepare Cuban coffee or the origin of the Cuban sandwich, energy savings offer a rare moment of unity. Everyone, regardless of political stripe or preferred beach, agrees that Floridians want an alternative to their ever-increasing electric bills.

And in a holiday season full of unpredictable weather, unpredictable relatives, and unpredictable thermostat settings, agreeing that solar power is good for Florida might be as close to family harmony as Florida gets.

So if Clark Griswold can light up a Chicago suburb with enough wattage to be seen from a passing jet, Florida families can certainly handle a conversation about LEDs, solar panels, and a battery that keeps the house running when the lights flicker during a “quick little storm system” that turns out to be a Category 1.

After all, it’s Florida. If we can handle hurricanes, iguanas falling out of trees, and in-laws flying in from the Midwest, we can definitely agree about energy savings.

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Bill Johnson is the President and founder of Brilliant Harvest LLC. He is a Florida-licensed solar contractor and NABCEP Certified PV Installation professional. Johnson is the current President of Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, a trade association representing solar and storage contractors across the state of Florida.