I think it was the same around here. Perhaps people are making the extra effort to bring some sense of joy to this less than wonderful year? To quote of of my pathologically nice neighbors who hung their lights before Thanksgiving, “We’re gonna have a Merry [friggin’] Christmas if it’s the last [friggin’] thing we do!” 🤣
What a neat little house/neighborhood. l don't believe it's your imagination. You can google it but I've seen where Christmas light sales are way up this year - there's a whole psychological thing behind it - the lights outside on houses, mental healther all that good stuff!