Interview with Taniya Nayak
Photos by Taniya Nayak

Interior designer Taniya Nayak, cohost of ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight, shares a behind-the-scenes look at the reality TV show, provides a glimpse into her seasonal decorating style, and offers tips for dressing up your own space.

How is the series filmed?
The filming itself is very fast-paced. We complete each season over about six weeks across several states, with my cohost, Carter Oosterhouse, and I splitting up the locations. In fact, we don’t work together or see each other at all during filming.

Additionally, we shoot at night, so I often work into the early morning, spending six to ten hours at one house. Sometimes, I’ll then hop on an early flight the next day to another destination. I love the hustle and bustle, though—it keeps me going. It’s hard to believe, but I’ve been hosting for more than a decade! It has become a fun holiday tradition.

Do you know any details about the houses before seeing them?
All I get are the addresses. I tell the producers not to give me any hints about what the houses will look like to ensure that my responses are completely real. I love being surprised; the minute the Christmas lights go on, it’s all energy and everyone is so happy. By the end of the night, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. It’s one of the aspects I adore most about my job.

How is the judging done?
Carter and I each appear in three episodes, and we decide which house meets the criteria the best. Every episode features three competitors and one winner, making a total of six champions across a season. To avoid forgetting any details, I fill out a judging form immediately after I visit a home, using criteria like creativity and craftsmanship to grade it. The winning homeowner then receives $50,000 and a light-bulb-shaped prize we call the Bulby Trophy.

Choosing a champion is never easy. The homeowners pour their hearts into their designs, and their imagination and skill are remarkable. There have been moments when I’ve been practically in tears, wishing I could declare a tie. The technology keeps evolving too. Christmas lights used to be all incandescent but are now largely LED; similarly, light displays used to be static or maybe blink, and now there are light shows and drone displays. All this makes the judging even more challenging.

Do you also go all out decorating for the holidays?
I wish I could! Unfortunately, my eyes get pretty maxed out from all the bright lights on the show. Plus, we start filming at the end of October and go right up until Christmas—there have been times when I’ve gotten home so close to the holiday that I can barely do anything for it. Plus, my husband, Brian O’Donnell, and I head straight to our vacation home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with our English bulldog, Flynn, just a few days after we wrap on filming.

When I do decorate, though, I focus my efforts on the interior since we live in a Boston condo. I prefer a subdued and elegant approach, keeping my Christmas tree simple with classic white lights. I’ll also add tall greenery, such as a few evergreen or birch branches in a beautiful vase, somewhere to the space. I love using natural elements like pine cones, berries, and other lovely outdoor finds in arrangements.

Conversely, I don’t often dress up our vacation home at all for Christmas given that we usually arrive that evening or the day after. Brian and I love how serene and peaceful it is there, and it’s easy to get into the holiday spirit—the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, which feels like The Great Christmas Light Fight on the water, can be seen right from our place.

What tips do you have for replicating the magic of the show on a smaller scale?
I recommend incorporating a few thoughtful yet impactful touches, especially if you’re working with a compact space and don’t have much storage. For interiors, items like table runners and throw-pillow covers are perfect for lending festive cheer and can be easily removed and tucked away after the season ends. You can also be creative with ornaments. For example, I sometimes place a few in a pretty bowl and nestle candles among them for a warm and inviting look. You don’t have to stick to tradition; feel free to use any type, theme, or color combo that complements your style, even pink! If you’re a nature enthusiast, bird-themed ornaments can be a delightful addition. The key is choosing items that will showcase your personality.

For more info, visit taniyanayak.com