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Once the Thanksgiving leftovers have been stored in the refrigerator, it's time to get into the spirit of the next holiday. Grab the ladders, the hammers, and the extension cords: It's holiday lights season! Is it just me, or are lots of folks really going bonkers with their Christmas light displays? There's nothing wrong with some candles in the windows, a wreath on the door, and perhaps a few strings of white bulbs. But more and more homeowners seem to be vying for the tackiest holiday display award with enough lights to make both global warming prognosticator Al Gore and Las Vegas casino owner Steve Wynn cringe. Then they add sleighloads of animated reindeer, inflatable Santas, gargantuan candy canes, and other wacky doodads. Oy vey.

If it's over-the-top Christmas lights you're after, forget the homegrown variety and check out some of the state's best holiday displays. Perhaps the biggest and brightest is Springfield's Bright Nights at Forest Park...

Starting this Wednesday, November 22, the 11th annual drive-through light display will enchant visitors with a series of tableaus, including Seuss Land (the children's author is a Springfield native), Jurassic World, Victorian Village, and Letters to Santa. For more info, go to Bright Nights at Forest Park.

Near Cape Cod, Edaville U.S.A. will be presenting its long-running Christmas Festival of Lights. The park's steam train will take guests on a grand two-mile tour past more than seven million holiday lights. There's also an antique carousel and visits with a certain red-suited, jolly gentleman.

The big city of Boston has its bright lights as well. On Wednesday, November 29, Mayor Menino will flip the switch to light the Copley Square holiday tree. The following day, on Thursday, November 30, lights will adorn the city's official Christmas tree, a 42-foot white spruce from Nova Scotia, and eighty other trees throughout Boston Common. There will also be entertainment and fireworks.

Admit it, Sparky. No matter how many extension cords you rig together, you can't compete with 80 sparkling trees or 7 million lights. So put away the ladder, and take the family to one of these displays.

Photo: Bright Nights at Forest Park