Christmas Lights
From LoveToKnow Christmas
The holiday season is illuminated by an array of Christmas lights. We give you all the information you need to twinkle, shine, and glow into the New Year.
Indoor Christmas Lights
Types of Bulbs
Traditional strings of lights use bulbs. The "old-fashioned" ones had larger, colored bulbs; in recent years tiny bulbs, often called miniature or mini lights, in white or colors have largely supplanted those. Bulbs can have a classic bulb shape with rounded or pointed ends, be globe-shaped, or contained in covers to give them decorative shapes. Others are faceted to look like crystal or have serrated or scalloped collars around the bulbs.
In recent years, some light manufacturers have started selling LED Christmas light sets. LED, or light emitting diode, lights last exponentially longer than bulbs and use far less energy. Some estimates indicate LEDs use 90% less power than comparable bulbs, and since they last longer many environmentalists tout them as the preferred choice for Christmas lights. LED lights also stay cool to the touch, reducing concerns about burns and fire hazards.
Outdoor Lights
Of course, Christmas lights are also strung outdoors. Outdoor lights are used to outline homes, wrap trees, adorn fences and hedges and to highlight walkways. In addition, you can purchase lighted sculptures, wreaths, and lawn ornaments. Lighted sleighs, reindeer, and outdoor trees are all classic decorating options. One of the most popular outdoor styles is the icicle light; strands of icicle lights look like sparkling icicles hanging from a home's eaves. One useful innovation in outdoor lights is the "net" style; these are lights constructed in a fishnet-like pattern, used to cover a bush or hedge with an even distribution of bulbs. They are easy to use and look tidy.
The most important thing to remember when selecting outdoor Christmas lights is to ensure they are actually meant for exterior use. Outdoor lights are more durable and able to handle exposure to the elements. Indoor lights placed outside can be a fire hazard since they are not meant to withstand rain, wind, snow, and other potentially taxing conditions.
Features
There are other features you should consider when selecting your Christmas lights. Some of these include:
- Number of bulbs: The package will indicate the number of bulbs on a string of lights. A strand with 50 bulbs will put out less illumination and cover less area than a string of 200 lights.
- Strand length: Most strings or ropes of lights will indicate the length. This is important because it tells you how much area you can plan to cover with your lights.
- Plug style: If you only plan to use a single strand of lights, it may not matter what kind of plug your lights have. However, if you plan to attach several strings of lights together, look for the "end-to-end" style. These allow you to connect several strings of lights together one after another.
- Solid or Blinking: Many a holiday argument has started over this critical lighting issue. While some people like their Christmas lights to glow constantly, others prefer the blinking variety.
- Unusual Lights: Not a traditionalist? Try a fiber optic Christmas light decoration, a neon light ornament to hang in your window, or a length of rope lights to shine on your noel. Also consider lit bead strings, twinkling spheres, and lighted Christmas garlands. Bubble lights are liquid filled; the liquid bubbles as the lights heat up.
- Strand construction: Many strings of lights are constructed with serial wiring. In these, if one bulb goes out, the whole string is dark. On others, a burned-out bulb will take a small section of the strand with it. However, the best quality Christmas light sets do not allow a defective bulb to affect any others on the string; in these, the only bulb that goes out is the bad one.
Where to Buy
In December, you can buy Christmas lights at the grocery store, discount and department stores, home improvement retailers, and nurseries. However, if you are looking for specialty lights or want to purchase off-season, try an online retailer such as 1000 Bulbs or Christmas Depot.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 9,627 times. This page was last modified 02:39, 3 July 2009.
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