Christmas lights

Christmas lights (also sometimes called fairy lights, twinkle lights or holiday lights in the United States) are strands of electric lights used to decorate homes, public/commercial buildings and Christmas trees during the Christmas season. Christmas lights come in a dazzling array of configurations and colors. The small "midget" bulbs commonly known as fairy lights are also called Italian lights in some parts of the U.S., such as Chicago. For other uses, see ITV (disambiguation). ... Christmas themes have long been an inspiration to artists, writers, and weavers of folklore. ... For the ITV Christmas special, see Christmas Lights. ... The article on electrical energy is located elsewhere. ... For other uses, see Christmas tree (disambiguation). ... The Christmas season (also known as the holiday season) is a term that covers the time when two interconnected periods of celebration are held. ... For the car, see MG Midget or Daihatsu Midget. ... For other uses, see Chicago (disambiguation). ...

History

First Christmas tree with electric lights, in the home of Edward H. Johnson in New York City - December 22, 1882.

The first known electrically illuminated Christmas tree was the creation of Edward H. Johnson, an associate of inventor Thomas Edison. While he was vice president of the Edison Electric Light Company, a predecessor of today's Con Edison electric utility, he had Christmas tree light bulbs especially made for him. He proudly displayed his Christmas tree, which was hand-wired with 80 red, white and blue electric incandescent light bulbs the size of walnuts, on December 22, 1882 at his home on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Local newspapers ignored the story, seeing it as a publicity stunt. However, it was published by a Detroit newspaper reporter, and Johnson has become widely regarded as the Father of Electric Christmas Tree Lights. By 1900, businesses started stringing up Christmas lights behind their windows.^[1] Christmas lights were too expensive for the average person; as such, electric Christmas lights did not become the majority replacement for candles until 1930.^[2] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (368x737, 64 KB)first Christmas tree with electric lights File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (368x737, 64 KB)first Christmas tree with electric lights File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... For other uses, see Christmas tree (disambiguation). ... Edward Hibbard Johnson (born 1846 ? ) was an inventor and business associate of American inventor Thomas Alva Edison. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1882 (MDCCCLXXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Edward Hibbard Johnson (born 1846 ? ) was an inventor and business associate of American inventor Thomas Alva Edison. ... Edison redirects here. ... The General Electric Company, or GE, NYSE: GE is a multinational technology and services company. ... Consolidated Edison Company of New York (NYSE: ED) (Con Edison, or Con Ed) is a utility company in New York state, USA. Con Edison is a regulated utility that provides electric service in New York City and most of Westchester County, New York. ... An electric utility is a company (often a public utility) that engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity for sale generally in a regulated market. ... For other uses, see Wire (disambiguation). ... Light bulb redirects here. ... Year 1882 (MDCCCLXXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... New York, New York redirects here. ... Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes - this motto was adopted after the disastrous 1805 fire that devastated the city) Nickname: The Motor City and Motown Location in Wayne County, Michigan Founded Incorporated July 24, 1701 1815  County Wayne County Mayor... The following alphabetical lists includes men and women commonly known as the father or mother of something. ...

In 1895, U.S. President Grover Cleveland proudly sponsored the first electrically lit Christmas tree in the White House. It was a huge specimen, featuring more than a hundred multicolored lights. The first commercially produced Christmas tree lamps were manufactured in strings of multiples of eight sockets by the General Electric Co. of Harrison, New Jersey. Each socket took a miniature two-candela carbon-filament lamp. Stephen Grover Cleveland (March 18, 1837–June 24, 1908), was the twenty-second and twenty-fourth President of the United States. ... For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ... The name General Electric Company refers to two companies: An American multinational, General Electric A defunct British company, The General Electric Company plc, now a part of Telent plc Category: ... Harrison is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. ... Photopic (black) and scotopic [1] (green) luminosity functions. ...

From that point on, electrically illuminated Christmas trees, but only indoors, grew with mounting enthusiasm in the United States and elsewhere. San Diego in 1904 and New York City in 1912 were the first recorded instances of the use of Christmas lights outside.^[3] McAdenville North Carolina claims to have been the first in 1956.^[4] The Library of Congress credits the town for inventing "the tradition of decorating evergreen trees with Christmas lights dates back to 1956 when the McAdenville Men's Club conceived of the idea of decorating a few trees around the McAdenville Community Center."^[5] Flag Seal Nickname: Americas Finest City Location Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates , Government County San Diego Mayor City Attorney         City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Jerry Sanders (R) Michael Aguirre Scott Peters Kevin... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... Construction of the Thomas Jefferson Building, from July 8, 1888 to May 15, 1894. ...

A designer Christmas tree in an Australian village. approx 7 metres (22 feet)

However, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has had "lights" since 1931, but did not have real electric lights until 1956.^[6] Furthermore, Philadelphia's Christmas Light Show and Disney's Christmas Tree also began in 1956.^[7][8] Though General Electric sponsored community lighting competitions during the 1920s, it would take until the mid 1950s for the use of such lights to be adopted by average households. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is found in New York Citys Rockefeller Center, and is lit every December, an event usually broadcast on national television in the United States. ... GE redirects here. ...

Over a period of time, strings of Christmas lights found their way into use in places other than Christmas trees. Soon, strings of lights adorned mantles and doorways inside homes, and ran along the rafters, roof lines, and porch railings of homes and businesses. In recent times, many city skyscrapers are decorated with long mostly-vertical strings of a common theme, and are activated simultaneously in Grand Illumination ceremonies. Grand Illumination is an outdoor ceremony involving the simultaneous activation of Christmas lights. ...

In the mid 2000s, the video of the home of Carson Williams was widely distributed on the internet as a viral video. It garnered national attention in 2005 from The Today Show on NBC, Inside Edition and the CBS Evening News and was featured in a Miller television commercial.^[9][10] Williams turned his hobby into a commercial venture, and was commissioned to scale up his vision to a scale of 250,000 lights at a Denver shopping center, as well as displays in parks and zoos. Carson Williams from Mason, Ohio is noted for his homemade lightshows using Christmas lights fixed around and even on top of his house. ... The term viral video refers to video clip content which gains widespread popularity through the process of Internet sharing, typically through email or IM messages, blogs and other media sharing websites. ... Inside Edition is a syndicated news program, on the air since January 9, 1989. ...

Technology

Types of Christmas lights

The types of lamps used in Christmas lighting sets may be based on a variety of technologies. Common lamp types are incandescent light bulbs and now light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Less common are neon lamp sets. Light bulb redirects here. ... LED redirects here. ... Lighting neon lamp, two 220/230 volt and 110 V neon lamps and a screwdriver with neon lamp inside A neon lamp is a gas discharge lamp containing primarily neon gas at low pressure. ...

A set of fluorescent Christmas lights

Fluorescent lamp sets were produced for a limited time by Sylvania in the mid-1940s.^[11] Fluorescent lamps Assorted types of fluorescent lamps. ... Sylvania literally means forest land in Latin. ... The 1940s decade ran from 1940 to 1949. ...

Incandescent

Incandescent lights, the type most commonly used in Christmas lights, produce a broad-spectrum white light, and are colored by coating the glass envelope with a transparent or translucent paint which acts as a color filter. Some early Japanese-made lamps, however, used colored glass.^[12] Though less expensive, the painted lamps suffer from fading or flaking of the paint when exposed to weather. Older bulbs were also coated on the insides of the bulbs to prevent this effect, but were more costly to manufacture.

LEDs

An LED Christmas light.

Light-emitting diode (LED) Christmas lights are quickly gaining popularity in many places due to their low energy usage (about one tenth the energy used by incandescent bulbs), very long lifetimes, and associated low maintenance. Colored LEDs are also far more efficient at producing light than their colored incandescent counterparts. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... LED redirects here. ...

There are two types of LEDs: colored LEDs and white LEDs. Colored LEDs emit a specific color light (monochromatic light), regardless of the color of the transparent plastic lens that encases the LED's chip. The plastic may be colored for cosmetic reasons, but does not substantially affect the color of the light emitted. Because the light is determined by the LED's chip rather than the plastic lens, Christmas lights of this type do not suffer from color fading. In addition, the plastic lens is much more durable than the glass envelope of incandescent bulbs. Something which is monochromatic has a single color. ...

White LEDs are similar to colored LEDs in most respects such as power and durability, but utilize a two-stage process to create the white (polychromatic, or broad spectrum) light. In the first stage, the LED actually only produces one color of light, similar to any other LED. In the second stage, some of the blue or violet-blue is absorbed by a phosphor which fluoresces yellow, imitating the broad spectrum of colors which our eyes perceive as "white". This is essentially the same process used in fluorescent lamps, except for the use of an LED to create blue light rather than excited gas plasma to create ultraviolet. Green screen A phosphor is a substance that exhibits the phenomenon of phosphorescence (sustained glowing after exposure to light or energised particles such as electrons). ... For other uses, see Plasma. ... For other uses, see Ultraviolet (disambiguation). ...

White LEDs can be used as white Christmas lights, or can be used to create any other color through the use of colored refractors and lenses, similar to the more commonly used incandescent bulbs. Color fading may therefore occur due to the exposure of colored plastics to sunlight or heat, as with ordinary Christmas lights. Yellowing may also occur in the epoxy "bulb" in which the LED is encased if left in the sun consistently. Prism splitting light High Resolution Solar Spectrum Sunlight in the broad sense is the total spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun. ... In chemistry, epoxy or polyepoxide is a thermosetting epoxide polymer that cures (polymerizes and crosslinks) when mixed with a catalyzing agent or hardener. Most common epoxy resins are produced from a reaction between epichlorohydrin and bisphenol-A. The first commercial attempts to prepare resins from epichlorohydrin occurred in 1927 in...

LEDs use much less electricity (only 4 watts for a 70-light string) and have a much greater lifespan than incandescent lamps. Since they are constructed from solid state materials and have no metallic filaments to burn out or break, LEDs are also much less susceptible to breakage from impact or rough handling.

Although LEDs themselves are long-life devices, older or lower-quality strands of LED-based Christmas lights can suffer from early failure. This is particularly so with blue ones, which are the newest and most expensive, and therefore prone to cost-cutting; in addition, spares are rarely included with sets. Most LED-based Christmas lights use copper wire which connects to the aluminum-based wires of the LEDs. Exposing this combination of metals to moisture can result in galvanic corrosion inside of the lamps' sockets, causing them to stop working. Many other sets use cheaper steel leads on the LEDs, which instead rust, leading to the same result. Some newer and higher-quality sets of LED Christmas lights have each LED permanently mounted in a non-removable weathertight base to keep out rain and other moisture, helping to prevent such corrosion; however, this prevents the user from replacing defective bulbs. Aluminum redirects here. ... The Galvanic cell, named after Luigi Galvani, consists of two different metals connected by a salt bridge or a porous disk between the individual half-cells. ... For other uses, see Steel (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Rust (disambiguation). ...

Most common consumer LED lamps produce intense, deep, pure colours, versus incandescent bulbs which generally have subtler, yellow-tinted colours, often somewhat faded especially if used outside. Blue tends to be the dimmest incandescent color, but the brightest in LED, while yellow is just the opposite. Very early strings of LED lights were noticeably dimmer than incandescent bulbs, but now are often noticeably brighter. These factors combine to give LED lamps a distinct aesthetic from older incandescent strings, although white LEDs behind coloured lenses do offer the ability to provide a more incandescent-type appearance with most of the benefits of energy efficiency. However, most use coloured-chip type LEDs that produce the intense colours. This is largely due to the maturity of coloured LED versus newer white LED technology, and as the technology improves so will the ability to change the aesthetics of the lamps, at lower cost than at present. As of 2007, "warm white" LED sets are common for the first time in U.S. stores, having a color similar to a compact fluorescent light. However, this color needs to be more of an orange tint to match the color of such small bulbs, because they burn at a lower temperature. Still, this is a significant improvement from the very cold-white (and often irregularly-tinted) color of early white sets. Look up fade in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 2007 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Compact fluorescent light bulb A compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL bulb) is a type of fluorescent lamp which screws into a regular light bulb socket, or plugs into a small lighting fixture. ...

Additionally, low-end sets do not contain power supplies (or have only a transformer instead of a SELV), and so the bulbs flicker in sync with the alternating current, being completely off when the voltage is negative. This produces a noticeable stroboscopic effect when an individual happens to move the lights across his or her field of view quickly, as when moving the eyes or turning the head rapidly. Higher-quality strings include a bridge rectifier to supply full-wave direct current to the lamps, making the lights brighter and greatly reducing the flickering (though there is still a small amount because diodes need a minimum voltage to begin conducting). Cheaper sets with two circuits connect each in the opposite polarity, which minimizes flicker in the combined light reflected from walls, and also keeps power consumption symmetrical so as not to affect the electrical system. A power supply unit (sometimes abbreviated power supply or PSU) is a device that supplies electrical power to a device or group of devices. ... For other uses, see Transformer (disambiguation). ... The use of extra low voltage (ELV) in an electrical circuit is one of several means to provide protection against electrical shock. ... City lights viewed in a motion blurred exposure. ... Temporal aliasing is the term applied to a visual phenomenon also known as the stroboscopic effect. It also accounts for the wagon-wheel effect, so called because in video or motion pictures, spoked wheels on horse-drawn wagons sometimes appear to be turning backwards. ... The field of view is the part of the observable world that is seen at any given moment. ... A diode bridge is an electronic circuit that provides the same polarity of output voltage and current for both possible polarities of input power. ... Direct current (DC or continuous current) is the continuous flow of electricity through a conductor such as a wire from high to low potential. ... Closeup of the image below, showing the square shaped semiconductor crystal various semiconductor diodes, below a bridge rectifier Structure of a vacuum tube diode In electronics, a diode is a two-terminal component, almost always one that has electrical properties which vary depending on the direction of flow of charge... Conduction is the movement of electrically charged particles through a transmission medium (electrical conductor). ...

Many mini sets use standard 3mm dome-shaped LEDs, and have a plastic cover over them to provide refraction, which is an important step in diffusing the unidirectional light they cast. These covers come in C5, C6, and C7 sizes (⅝, ¾, and ⅞-inch, or 16, 19, and 22mm diameters, respectively) pointed "strawberries," G12 (12mm or almost ½-inch) globe "raspberries," and "M5" (5mm or ⁷⁄₃₂-inch) pointed cylinders, equivalent to the T1¾ mini lights so common since the 1980s. For blue and green, these covers may have some fluorescence, leading to a lighter color. Other sets have 5mm domes with no covers, though because these project light in one direction, many of these instead have a cone-shaped indentation on the top, refracting much of the light out to the sides. Still other sets have covers like snowflakes (or for Halloween, pumpkins). There are also multi-LED screw-in bulbs which replace real C7½ and C9¼ bulbs, and are much closer in brightness than the mini imitations. For the property of metals, see refraction (metallurgy). ... For other uses, see Strawberry (disambiguation). ... Cultivated raspberries The raspberry (plural, raspberries) is the edible fruit of a number of species of the genus Rubus. ... Fluorescence induced by exposure to ultraviolet light in vials containing various sized Cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots. ... This article is about the geometric object, for other uses see Cone. ... Look up snowflake in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Pumpkin (disambiguation). ...

Fiber optic lights

Fiber optic technology is also used in Christmas lighting, especially by incorporating it into artificial Christmas trees. Incandescent lamps or LEDs are located in the tree base and many optic fibers extend from the lamps to the ends of the tree branches. These devices frequently use a step-down transformer, because they have only one or two lamps or LEDs. Fiber Optic strands An optical fiber in American English or fibre in British English is a transparent thin fiber for transmitting light. ... For other uses, see Christmas tree (disambiguation). ...

Bubble Lights

Bubble lights are a type of incandescent novelty light that acquired some popularity during the 1950s. Their main feature is a sealed glass tube with a colored bubbling liquid inside. While the idea was first demonstrated by Benjamin Franklin, the idea was adapted for use in Christmas Lights. They were invented by Carl Otis in 1935, who then sold the patents to the NOMA Electric Corporation. There is a long story involving patent fights.^[13] Bubble Lights can still be purchased online and in stores to this day. A Christmas bubble light, as depicted in a patent illustration. ...

Light sculptures

A number of light sculptures feature in this elaborate display which surrounds a Nativity scene set in a basement garage.

Lights are sometimes mounted on frames -- typically metal for large lights and plastic for miniature ones. These were first used for public displays on lampposts, street lights, and telephone poles in cities and towns. For public displays large C7 bulbs are generally used, but by the 1990s light sculptures were being made in smaller form with miniature lights for home use. Consumer types now tend to come with a plastic sheet backing printed in the proper design, and in the 2000s now with nearly photographic quality graphics and usually on a holographic "laser" backing. Public displays on often have outdoor-rated garland on the frame as well, making them very decorative even in the daytime. Places where notable displays of light sculptures may be seen include Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in Tennessee. A roadway light in front of a red sky at night A street light or street lamp, also known as a light standard or lamp standard, is a raised light on the edge of a road, turned on or lit at a certain time every night. ... A high pressure sodium vapor street lamp from Australia. ... A telegraph post, telegraph pole or telephone pole is a post or pole upon which telephone network equipment is situated. ... A city is an urban area, differentiated from a town, village, or hamlet by size, population density, importance, or legal status. ... Ronda, Spain Main street in Bastrop, Texas, United States, a small town A town is a community of people ranging from a few hundred to several thousands, although it may be applied loosely even to huge metropolitan areas. ... This article is about the decade of 2000-2009. ... For other uses, see Photograph (disambiguation). ... For the Talib Kweli album Quality (album) Quality can refer to a. ... As a noun, a graphic usually refers to a computer image or picture, or an infographic, such as a chart. ... This article is about the photographic technique. ... For other uses, see Laser (disambiguation). ... Look up garland in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Gatlinburg is a city located in Sevier County, Tennessee. ... Pigeon Forge is a city located in Sevier County, Tennessee. ... This article is about the U.S. state of Tennessee. ...

Ornamentation

Early bulbs were sometimes made in shapes and painted, the same way that glass ornaments are. These are typically pressed glass, much as common dishware was at the time. These are reproduced in very limited quantity nowadays, typically found only at specialty retailers and online. Metal reflectors were also used until the 1970s, having a center hub of cardboard, which then had tabs that pressed between the bulb and the socket. Some dishware Dishware is a general term for objects—dishes—from which people eat or serve food, such as plates and bowls. ... A reflector can mean one of several things: a reflecting telescope a device or a part of an antenna that reflects radio waves a device that causes reflection, for example, a mirror or a retroreflector a 1981 album by Pablo Cruise In LAPACK the term reflector with the types block... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ... Cardboard is a generic non-specific term for a heavy duty paper based product. ...

Miniature lights sets can come with attached ornaments, typically plastic but sometimes glass. These began mid-century with petal "reflectors" which actually refracted the light and focused it in beams, and perhaps even earlier with crystal-like ones. On both types, the bulb stuck out of the center, and the "reflector" could be removed from the socket. Later designs, though much less popular, included stars. LED lights now come molded into shapes, though the light comes from the top instead of the center. It has been suggested that Corolla be merged into this article or section. ... This article refers to refraction in waves. ... An image that is partially in focus, but mostly out of focus in varying degrees. ...

Mini lights can also have full-size ornaments normally sold on sets of ten. Certain sets have more than one bulb per ornament, such as for snowmen and candy canes which are long. There is an enormous array of other designs, ranging from holly berries and poinsettias to star-shaped santas and wire mesh snowflakes. There are also ones for other holidays. Snowman Snowman A snowman family A snowman is a man-like figure constructed from compacted snow. ... Two candy canes, a traditional one (left) and a Spree flavored one(right). ... This article is about the plant. ... Binomial name Willd. ... Santa has several meanings: the shortened form of Santa Claus the Spanish word for a female saint, as in Santa Ana (the masculine form is san or santo); the word has the same or similar spellings and meanings in several other Romance languages in astronomy, Santa is a Kuiper belt... Look up snowflake in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Sizes

A variety of sizes, shapes and colours can be seen among these lights.

Note that the following may be particular to North America, and may vary in countries with mains other than 120 volts.

Christmas lighting began with small C6 bulbs -- C meaning "candle" for the flame shape, and 6 meaning ⁶⁄₈ inches (¾ in, or 19 mm) in diameter. These were on a miniature candelabra screw-base, now designated E10 (Edison screw, 10 mm). Replicas of these bulbs are now produced as miniature strings, usually with the entire bulb replaced, but sometimes as a decorative cover with regular bulbs inside. These bulbs tend to be transparent white or colors, and are often ornately designed with crystal-like patterns. North American redirects here. ... For other uses, see Candle (disambiguation). ... DIAMETER is a computer networking protocol for AAA (Authentication, Authorization and Accounting). ... Three-branched brass candelabrum without candles Candelabra is the term traditionally referring to a pair (or more) of large, decorative candlesticks often shaped as a column or pedestal and having several arms or branches for holding candles. ... For other uses, see Crystal (disambiguation). ...

Later bulbs were called C7½, being  inches (¹⁵⁄₁₆ in, or 24 mm) in diameter; however, these have a blunt shape (and should therefore be called B7½, or B24). Mixing metric and English units, there are also now G30 globes which are 30 mm (1+³⁄₁₆ in, or G9½) in diameter that uses these sockets. These are still used for the classic or even retro look, and use about five watts each. Older bulbs drew 7½ watts of power, and were reduced to save power. Early bulbs, as well as some new antique reproductions, are made in various shapes and then painted like Christmas ornaments. Bubble lights and twinkle bulbs also come in this size. This article is about a spherical model of the Earth, or similar. ... Retro is a term used to describe the culture of the past. ... For other uses, see Watt (disambiguation). ... An antique reproduction is an object (radio, furniture, etc. ... Christmas bauble (called a Christmas ball in American English) Christmas ornaments are decorations (usually made of glass, metal, wood or ceramics) that are used to festoon a Christmas tree. ... A Christmas bubble light, as depicted in a patent illustration. ...

Outdoor-only bulbs are designated C9¼ (1+⁵⁄₃₂ in, or 29 mm), and have a similar blunt shape as the C7½, but an E17 "intermediate" base. Some modern versions of these strings are now listed for indoor and outdoor use. These bulbs are rated at about seven watts each, and also now come in a globe shape, designated G40 (40 mm, or 1+⁹⁄₁₆ in). Some of the blunt-shape bulbs now come painted with designs, or swirled in more than one color. It is now very difficult to find twinkle bulbs in this size.

The four most common bulb sizes currently being used in the United States. From left to right: "rice" style, T1¾ "midget", C7½ and C9¼. Quarter shown for size comparison.

Standard mini bulbs are T1¾, indicating that they are a tube shape ⁷⁄₃₂ inches (5.5 mm) in diameter. Larger mini bulbs, which began appearing around 2004, are about twice this size, but are still very uncommon. Both types, along with most of the candle-shaped ones, are pinched-off at the tip rather than the base during manufacturing. Most contemporary miniature light bulbs have an internal shunt that is intended to activate when the bulb's filament burns out. The shunt closes the circuit across the bad filament, restoring continuity and illuminating the rest of the string. However, if one shunt fails to close properly, the whole string will fail to light. Other miniature types include globe-shaped "pearl" and smaller "button" lights, which are often painted in translucent or pearlescent colors. "Rice" lights are tiny, like a grain of rice, and can even have a subminiature base, if they are not already fixed permanently to the wires (on low-voltage sets). Rice lights are typically transparent, although colored variations do exist. They are intended to create tiny points of light, and are suitable for decorating miniature models, small wreaths, and for other similar situations in which even "midget" T1¾ lights may be too large. Image File history File links ChristmasLightTypes. ... Image File history File links ChristmasLightTypes. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A shunt in general is a sort of relief valve, or diverter. ... For other uses, see Pearl (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Button (disambiguation). ... Transparent glass ball In optics, transparency is the property of allowing light to pass. ... Goniochromism is the property of certain surfaces to change their colour depending on the angle under which they are viewed. ... For other uses, see Rice (disambiguation). ...

LED lights, which are encased in solid plastic rather than a hollow glass bulb, may be molded into any shape. Because of the way the LED casts light in only one direction, this is the most common way to design LED lighting, with even "plain" sets having some sort of crystal pattern to create refraction. For other uses, see Crystal (disambiguation). ...

Many bargain brands have dome-shaped LEDs which focuses the light to where it is sharply visible when viewed head-on, but almost invisible from a perpendicular viewpoint. This has both advantages and disadvantages according to one's decorating needs.

If a small LED bulb size but wider viewing perspective is desired, wide-angle LEDs are available. Rather than being dome-shaped (convex), the envelope is concave (sunken in) to cause wider distribution of light.

All miniature bulbs (including some LED sets) have a wedge base, though the exact design of each is inconsistent, making it somewhat difficult for the average consumer to change bulbs. To replace a bulb, the plastic base of the bulb must usually be changed by straightening the two wires and pulling the glass part out. Most replacement bulbs do not even include the bases anymore, despite getting only ten in a package and being charged nearly half what an entirely new string of 100 costs. For this reason, many Americans treat mini Christmas lights as being disposable, in addition to colored lights tending to fade even with only brief exposure to weathering. Many LED sets are coming permanently wired, with bases that look like conventional pull-out bulbs. A disposable product is a product designed for cheapness and short-term convenience rather than medium to long-term durability, with most products only intended for single use. ... Weathering is the decomposition of rocks, soils and their minerals through direct contact with the Earths atmosphere. ...

Light sets

Traditional C6 bulbs were typically 15 Volts, and used in series strings of eight bulbs, or multiples of 8. The use of eight bulbs (120 Volts/8 lamps = 15 Volts per lamp) gives each lamp the rated voltage for proper brightness. Later sets used nine bulbs on a string to increase the life of the bulbs by reducing the voltage each lamp received (120 Volts / 9 lamps = 13.33 Volts per bulb) but not significantly reducing the light output of the bulbs.

This house in Cincinnati OH is well known in the area for its traditional light display. The only types of lights used are mini, C7, and C9. Special wiring will be installed to light the 125 foot tall pine tree with C9 bulbs for the 2007 display

Large C7½ and C9¼ bulbs typically come in sets of 25, though bubble lights come in sets of seven, and some non-holiday sets come in ten or twelve. Sockets are usually spaced about one foot or 30 cm apart, and are clamped to the wire with an integrated insulation-piercing connector. Some older parallel sets had 15 bulbs, as do some of the newer globe sets manufactured today. Both of these bulbs are designed to run on 120 volts and the light sets that use them are parallel wired. A Christmas bubble light, as depicted in a patent illustration. ... An insulation displacement connector or Insulation piercing connector is a connector that pierces the insulation on a wire to make the connection, removing the need to strip the wire before connecting. ...

Miniatures first came in sets of 35 (3.5 volts per bulb), and sometimes smaller sets of 20 (6 volts per bulb). Sets of ten (12 volts per bulbs) were made for very small trees, but are quite hot, and are now usually used for tree toppers only. This number is convenient for stars, which have a total of ten points (five outward and five inward), and often have another light in the middle, occasionally on both sides. A tree topper is a decorative star, angel or other item which is placed on the crown of a Christmas tree. ... This article is about the astronomical object. ...

Incandescent miniatures now usually come in sets of 50 or 100 (which contains two circuits of 50), though decorative sets with larger bulbs (C6 or pearl style) typically come in 35 or 70. Several "extra-bright" sets also use 70 or 105 bulbs, keeping the per-bulb voltage at 3.5 instead of 2.5. In electronics, a voltage divider is a simple device designed to create a voltage (Vout) which is proportional to another voltage (Vin). ...

LED sets can vary greatly. Common is a set of 60 (2 volts per bulb), but white LED sets use two circuits of 30 (4 volts per bulb). Multicolor sets may have special wiring, because red and yellow require less voltage than the newer blue-based ones (blue, emerald green and fluorescent white), but typically come in sets with a multiple of 35.

Battery-powered sets typically come in 10 or 12, and can use standard 2.5 to 3.5-volt bulbs because they run two batteries, totaling three volts or less. LEDs are becoming increasingly common as they greatly prolong battery life, but because they also last longer they are often soldered directly to the wires, making up for some of the increased cost of the newer LEDs. 'Rice lights" are often made this way as well, and likewise may also have more bulbs per set as they draw somewhat less power per bulb than other incandescents. A solder is a fusible metal alloy, with a melting point or melting range of 180-190°C (360-370 °F), which is melted to join metallic surfaces, especially in the fields of electronics and plumbing, in a process called soldering. ...

Control technology

Christmas lights can be animated using special "flasher" or "interrupter" bulbs or by electronic controller. Flasher bulbs use a bi-metallic strip which interrupts the series circuit when the lamp becomes hot.^[14] An electronic Christmas light controller usually has a diode bridge followed by a resistor-based voltage divider, a filter capacitor and a fixed-program microcontroller. The micro-controller has three or four outputs which are connected to transistors or thyristor which control interleaved circuits, each with lamps of a single color. This article is about the temperature-sensitive mechanical device. ... Three bridge rectifiers. ... In electronics, a voltage divider is a simple device designed to create a voltage (Vout) which is proportional to another voltage (Vin). ... Television signal splitter consisting of a hi-pass filter (left) and a low-pass filter (right). ... See Capacitor (component) for a discussion of specific types. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with embedded microprocessor. ... Assorted discrete transistors A transistor is a semiconductor device, commonly used as an amplifier or an electrically controlled switch. ... Circuit symbol for a thyristor The thyristor is a solid-state semiconductor device with four layers of alternating N and P-type material. ... Interleaving in computer science is a way to arrange data in a noncontiguous way in order to increase performance. ...

Controllers can be set up to change flashing or animation styles by pressing a button or turning a dial on the unit; others have only one pattern, but the speed of this pattern can usually be adjusted by turning a similar dial.

Most multi-function sets feature 8 to 16 moving light functions. Some very common functions are fading and chasing. More extravagant and less common functions are stepping on and 2-channel flashing. These lights usually come in sets of 140 or 150. This is because to give the chasing effect, bulbs must be arranged in 4 circuits of 35 (equals 140) or 3 circuits of 50 (equals 150). These light sets use even less power than a regular set of 150 because the lights are not always on, and therefore the bulbs do not get as hot.

Usually, computerized sets cannot be connected end-to-end. However, some newer sets contain special miniature plugs - a "female" plug is located at the end of the set, and a "male" plug is located between the control box and the beginning of the actual lights. By disconnecting the control box from one set, it can now be plugged into the end of an identical chasing set to produce a longer strand of chasing lights. These plugs generally have a twist-on locking feature similar to that found on garden hoses. A garden hose or hosepipe is a kind of hose which is used for watering plants in a garden or a lawn. ...

Fiber-optic Christmas lighting can also be animated electronically, particularly when the set incorporates LEDs. When an incandescent lamp is used, animation can created by means of a rotating color wheel.

There's a new control technology being developed in Ottawa, Canada Lights On Calico which enables multiple homes to link up over the Internet in-real time and in-synch. A central website initiates the timing using Network Time Protocol to keep the local computers in synch, and each location has a small Java program that controls a device which interfaces with the USB port to which your Christmas lights plug into. In this way, anyone online can "plug in" to this network and at their discretion working independently or in-synch engage their Christmas Light display on a global level.

Power considerations

This private residence in Jamaica Plain, Boston displayed 250,000 lights in 2006. NStar installed special wiring; the electric bill is $2,000 a month

Incandescent (midget) or LED-based sets usually have each lamp connected in series to be powered without a transformer in the set. Screw-base C7 and C9 light sets use line voltage (120 volt) bulbs and are wired in parallel. LED-based sets use a current-limiting resistor to reduce the current supplied to each LED. Neon-lamp-based sets have lamps connected in parallel, each with its own current-limiting resistor. Battery-powered sets are also wired in parallel. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 584 pixelsFull resolution (1024 × 748 pixel, file size: 97 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Christmas tree lights on a private residence, that of Dominic Luberto on the Arborway in Jamaica Plain, a neighborhood of Boston Massachusetts. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 584 pixelsFull resolution (1024 × 748 pixel, file size: 97 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Christmas tree lights on a private residence, that of Dominic Luberto on the Arborway in Jamaica Plain, a neighborhood of Boston Massachusetts. ... Left: Series  / Right: Parallel Arrows indicate direction of current flow. ... For other uses, see Transformer (disambiguation). ... In electricity, current is the rate of flow of charges, usually through a metal wire or some other electrical conductor. ... Resistor symbols (American) Resistor symbols (Europe, IEC) Axial-lead resistors on tape. ... Left: Series  / Right: Parallel Arrows indicate direction of current flow. ... For other uses, see Battery. ...

Some incandescent or LED-based strings use a power supply transformer with lamps connected in parallel. These sets are much safer, but there is a voltage drop at the end of the string causing reduced brightness of the lamps at the end of the set. The reduced brightness is, however, less noticeable with LED-based sets than incandescent sets. Power supplies with integrated plugs may make the set difficult to connect in certain places. An electronic power supply, often referred to somewhat incorrectly as an AC adaptor, is an electronic device that produces direct current of a particular voltage and current from a source of electricity such as a battery or wall-socket power. ...

A line-operated AC string with a male plug on one end and a female socket on the other end can be conveniently connected end-to-end with other similar strings. The gauge of wire used and the power consumption of each string will determine how many strings can be safely daisy-chained this way, or whether the end string will have diminished voltage and brightness.

Troubleshooting

Individual bulbs fail either open or shorted. In a series string, when a bulb fails open, the whole string goes out, unless there is a special feature included to bridge the open bulb. Typical incandescent strings in the 1950s - 1960s were wired in series and frequently burnt out. Open circuit can mean:- In electronics, where there is nothing connected to a load and no current can flow. ... television cameras for surveillance. ...

For a series string, fixing failures requires a tedious process: each bulb is replaced with a known good bulb, hunting for the broken one by trial-and-error. If more than one bulb is broken, then each bulb in the broken string needs to be tested in a known-good string. Sometimes a bulb will not actually break, but will come loose in its socket. Its connection can also become corroded. Those two problems can be fixed by resetting each bulb in turn.

In a parallel string, one shorted bulb makes the whole string fail, requiring a similar troubleshooting process. However, the shorted string must be protected by a current limiting device, which may require resetting in between tests.

Fiber optic sets are the simplest to troubleshoot, since they contain only a few light sources, sometimes only one or two, and the place of failure can be located very quickly. Units containing color wheels may also require maintenance of mechanical parts.

Safety

Any set should be unplugged before repairing. If a set has no transformer, it is not line isolated. The small matchbox-sized electronic controllers do not have transformers in them, and sets with such controllers are also not line isolated, as well as all parts inside the controllers.

The number of strands of continuous light sets that may be safely conjoined varies based on whether the lights are LEDs, ordinary miniature light bulbs, or the larger C7/C9 type light bulbs. Other factors include the voltage of the set and the size of the wiring in the set. Those with questions should consult the manufacturer's instructions or an electrician.

Most light sets come with built in fuses to help protect against overheating and to prevent household fuses or circuit breakers from being tripped. If a fuse blows, the strand must be unplugged and the number of lights must be reduced. If the strand has nothing attached, or has blown repeatedly, it may contain a short circuit and should be discarded. For alternate meanings see Short circuit (disambiguation) A short circuit (sometimes known as simply a short) is a fault whereby electricity moves through a circuit in an unintended path, usually due to a connection forming where none was expected. ...

Hobbyists who don't want to pollute the environment by discarding a damaged set can cut it into many individual bulbs, each of which can be powered by a safe low voltage source. These bulbs can be used in projects such as microcontroller or PC controlled animated displays. The plug of the damaged set should, however, be destroyed and discarded for safety reasons, but this produces much less waste than discarding the whole set.

Some fiber optic sets may use halogen bulbs in their bases, in such cases, all precautions related to this type of bulbs should be observed.

Animated sets should not be watched by people having photosensitive epilepsy. Non-animated sets exist and can be used in such cases. Photosensitive epilepsy is a form of epilepsy in which seizures are triggered by visual stimuli that form patterns in time or space, such as flashing lights, bold, regular patterns, or regular moving patterns. ...

Many light sets may contain traces of lead in their PVC insulation, and consumers should wash hands thoroughly after handling these products, especially before eating. Proposition 65 of California requires that if products contain lead or traces of lead then a warning must be printed on packing of products. One must be sure to check the label for this and any additional warnings. The purpose of the lead in the PVC insulation is to make the PVC fire retardant, and to protect the PVC from ozone and other airborne pollutants which can crack and degrade the PVC over time. General Name, Symbol, Number lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series Post-transition metals or poor metals Group, Period, Block 14, 6, p Appearance bluish gray Standard atomic weight 207. ... Proposition 65 is a law in California created to promote clean drinking water and keep toxic substances that cause cancer and birth defects out of consumer products. ...

An episode of the show MythBusters covered the possible fire danger from Christmas lights. MythBusters is an American popular science television program on the Discovery Channel starring American special effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, who use basic elements of the scientific method to test the validity of various rumors, urban legends and news stories in popular culture. ...

Outdoor displays

The Marshall, Texas courthouse outlined in Christmas lights

Marshall, TX courthouse at Christmastime Derivative work from a rather nondescript digital photograph. ... Marshall, TX courthouse at Christmastime Derivative work from a rather nondescript digital photograph. ... Marshall is a major city of the northeastern region of the U.S. state of Texas. ...

Public venues

Displays of Christmas lights in public venues and on public buildings are a popular part of the annual celebration of Christmas, and may be set up by businesses or by local governments. The displays utilise Christmas lights in many ways, including decking towering Christmas trees in public squares, street trees and park trees, adorning lampposts and other such structures, decorating significant buildings such as town halls and department stores, and lighting up popular tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House. The Eiffel Tower (French: , ) is an iron tower built on the Champ de Mars beside the Seine River in Paris. ... The Sydney Opera House is located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. ...

Annual displays in Oxford Street, London, England are adored by the public and local businesses alike, have been erected for decades, assisted by companies like Piggotts [1].

Neighbourhoods

In the U.S. from the 1960s, beginning in tract housing, it became increasingly the custom to completely outline the house (but particularly the eaves) with weatherproof Christmas lights. The Holiday Trail of Lights is a joint effort by cities in east Texas and northwest Louisiana that had its origins in the Festival of Lights and Christmas Festival in Natchitoches, started in 1927, making it one of the oldest light festivals in the United States. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1958 to the end of 1974. ... Tract housing near Union, Kentucky. ... An eave is the edge of a roof. ... Old Harrison County Courthouse during the Wonderland of Lights in Marshall, Texas The Holiday Trail of Lights is a group of cities in Northwest Louisiana and Northeast Texas. ... Red counties show the core of East Texas; pink and red counties may or may not be included in East Texas, and thus their inclusion varies from source to source. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Festival of Light or Celebration of Light is a common name (or translation) for many disparate events and groups throughout the world. ... The Natchitoches are a Native American people. ...

It is often a pastime to drive or walk around neighborhoods in the evening to see the lights displayed on and around other homes. While some homes have no lights, others may have incredibly ornate displays which require weeks to construct. A rare few have even made it to the Extreme Christmas TV specials shown on HGTV, at least one requiring a generator and another requiring separate electrical service to supply the amount of electrical power required. A hobby is a spare-time recreational pursuit. ... A neighbourhood or neighborhood (see spelling differences) is a geographically localised community located within a larger city or suburb. ... A Television Special is a television program that is essentially a television movie or a short film usually intended to be broadcast sporadically, typically once a year at most. ... Home & Garden Television, better known as HGTV, is a cable television network in the U.S. and Canada. ... This article is about machines that produce electricity. ... For delivered electrical power, see Electrical power industry. ...

In 1986, Barry "Mad Dog" Gottlieb, organized the "Tacky Xmas Decoration Contest and Grand Highly Illuminated House Tour" with a tour of decorated homes in Richmond, Virginia. Since then, people either sign up for a tour, or drive around to find houses that are the tackiest. Most of the houses on this tour are completely covered in Christmas lights, similar to the way Clark Griswold decorated his house in the movie Christmas Vacation. The tour has been featured on "NPR", "Great Things About the Holidays on Bravo, "Crazy Christmas Lights" on TLC, and HGTV among other nationally broadcast programs. Locals in Richmond refer to it as the "Tacky Light Tour" and a growing number of cities have adopted this family Christmas tradition.^[15] Nickname: Motto: Sic Itur Ad Astra (Thus do we reach the stars) Location in the Commonwealth of Virginia Coordinates: , Country State Government  - Mayor L. Douglas Wilder (I) Area  - City 62. ... Clark Wilhelm Griswold, Jr. ... National Lampoons Christmas Vacation is a movie from 1989. ... Home & Garden Television, better known as HGTV, is a cable television network in the U.S. and Canada. ...

Lights deck the veranda of a miner's cottage in Wollongong, Australia. To the left is a tall TV arial.

In Australia and New Zealand, chains of Christmas lights were quickly adopted as an effective way to provide ambient lighting to verandas, where cold beer is often served in the long hot summer evenings. For many years the use of Christmas lights on Australian homes was mainly limited to this simple form. In the last decade increasingly elaborate Christmas lights have been displayed and driving around between 8.00 and 10.00pm to look at the lights has become a popular family entertainment. While in some areas there is fierce competition, with Town Councils offering awards for the best decorated house, in other areas it is seen as a co-operative effort, with residents priding themselves on their street or their neighbourhood.

Other holidays

In the United States, lights have been produced for many other holidays. These may be simple sets in typical holiday colors, or the type with plastic ornaments which the light socket fits into. Light sculptures are also produced in typical holiday icons. For other uses, see Holiday (disambiguation). ...

Halloween is the most popular, with miniature light strings having black-insulated wires and semi-opaque orange bulbs. Later sets had some transparent purple bulbs (a representation of black, similar to blacklight), a few even have transparent green, or a translucent or semi-opaque lime green (possibly representing slime as in Ghostbusters, or creatures like goblins or space aliens). Two types of icicle lights are sold at Halloween: all-orange, and a combination of purple and green known as "slime lights." This article is about the holiday. ... This article is about the color. ... BlackLight Is a Rock Band set up April 2006. ... Look up slime, slimy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Ghostbusters (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Goblin (disambiguation). ... Extraterrestrial, as an adjective, refers to something that originates, occurs, or is located outside Earth or its atmosphere. ...

Easter lights are often produced in pastels. These typically have white wire and connectors. This article is about the Christian festival. ... Pastel is an art medium in the form of a stick, consisting of pure powdered pigment and a binder. ...

Red, white, and blue lights are produced for Independence Day, as well as U.S. flag and other patriotic-themed ornaments. Net lights have been produced with the lights in a U.S. flag pattern. In 2006 some stores carried stakes with LEDs that light fiber-optics, looking similar to fireworks. These fireworks over the Washington Monument are typical of Fourth of July celebrations In the United States, Independence Day, also called the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. ... Flag ratio: 10:19; nicknames: Stars and Stripes, Old Glory The flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars... Patriotism is a feeling of love and devotion to ones own homeland (patria, the land of ones fathers). ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Look up Stake in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Fireworks (disambiguation). ...

These above light strings are occasionally used on Christmas Trees anyway, usually to add extra variety to the colors of the lights on the tree. For other uses, see Christmas tree (disambiguation). ...

Various types of patio lighting with no holiday theme are also made for summertime. These are often clear white lights, but most are ornament sets, such as lanterns made of metal or bamboo, or plastic ornaments in the shape of barbecue condiments, flamingos and palm trees, or even various beers. Some are made of decorative wire or mesh, in abstract shapes such as dragonflies, often with glass "gems" or marbles. Light sculptures are also made in everything from wire-mesh frogs to artificial palm trees outlined in rope lights. A patio of the Livadia Palace in Crimea. ... For other uses, see Summer (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Lantern (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Bamboo (disambiguation). ... A barbecue on a trailer at a block party in Kansas City. ... Salt, sugar and pepper are the most essential condiments in Western cuisine. ... Species See text For other uses, see Flamingo (disambiguation). ... Genera Many; see list of Arecaceae genera Arecaceae (also known as Palmae or Palmaceae), the palm family, is a family of flowering plants, belonging to the monocot order Arecales. ... For other uses, see Beer (disambiguation). ... Kazimir Malevich, Black square 1915 Abstract art is now generally understood to mean art that does not depict objects in the natural world, but instead uses color and form in a non-representational way. ... Families Aeshnidae Austropetaliidae Cordulegastridae Corduliidae Gomphidae Libellulidae Neopetaliidae Petaluridae The dragonfly is an insect belonging to the Order Odonata, Suborder Anisoptera and characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated body. ... For other uses, see Marble (disambiguation). ... Distribution of frogs (in black) Suborders Archaeobatrachia Mesobatrachia Neobatrachia - List of Anuran families The frogness babe is an amphibian in the order Anura (meaning tail-less from Greek an-, without + oura, tail), formerly referred to as Salientia (Latin saltare, to jump). ...

Trivia

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

• In the 1989 film National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, the character played by Chevy Chase attempts to follow American family Christmas traditions with elaborate Christmas lights and decorations on the exterior of the family home. He then attempts a "Grand Illumination" outside the house.

• In the 2006 film Deck the Halls, the character played by Danny DeVito tries to cover his house with enough Christmas lights for it to be visible from space.

• The Oklahoma alternative rock band The Flaming Lips became known in their early days for covering their instruments in Christmas lights.

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989, Warner Bros. ... For other uses, see Chevy Chase (disambiguation). ... Grand Illumination is an outdoor ceremony involving the simultaneous activation of Christmas lights. ... Deck the Halls is a 2006 family,comedy film set during the holiday season. ... Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. ... For other uses, see Oklahoma (disambiguation). ... Alternative music redirects here. ... The Flaming Lips (formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1983) are an American alternative rock band. ...

External links

• http://www.muanalysis.com/publications/Quantum_Wells_in_the_Seasonal_Department.pdf Quantum Wells in the Seasonal Department, The Technology of LED Christmas Lights

• [2] American Holiday Decorators Association
• [3] The Christmas Light People provide training and sales for professional Christmas Light Installers, or the home owner who wants to do it right!

Notes

1. ^ Christmas Lights and Community Building in America.
2. ^ Ibid.
3. ^ Ibid.
4. ^ History
5. ^ North Carolina: Christmas Town U.S.A. (Local Legacies: Celebrating Community Roots - Library of Congress)
6. ^ Christmas in Rockefeller Center - A Holiday History - Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree News Story - WNBC | New York
7. ^ Friends of the Wanamaker Organ
8. ^ National Christmas Tree Association: Famous Trees
9. ^ links to house light videos, including Miller Lite commercial
10. ^ Wizards in Winter. ConSar Lights Portfolio.
11. ^ Nelson, George. The War Years: 1941-1945. The Antique Christmas Lights Museum.
12. ^ Nelson, George. The Evolution of the Series-Type Christmas Light Bulb. The Antique Christmas Lights Museum.
13. ^ Nelson, George. The History of Bubble Lights. The Antique Christmas Lights Museum.
14. ^ How Christmas Lights Work. How Stuff Works.
15. ^ How The Tacky Light Tour Got Started. How The Tacky Light Tour Got Started.

v • d • e Christmas
Main	History · The Nativity · Bringers of gifts · Decorations · Economics · Customs · Arts and media
Christianity	Nativity of Jesus · Nativity of Jesus in art · Nativity scene · Nativity of Jesus in later culture · Jesus · Mary · Joseph · Archangel Gabriel · Three Wise Men · Adoration of the shepherds · Star of Bethlehem · King Herod · Massacre of the Innocents · Saint Nicholas Day · Twelfth Night · Epiphany (Christian) · Advent · Christmastide
Folklore	Father Christmas · Saint Nicholas · Santa Claus · Mrs. Claus · Santa Claus's reindeer · Elves · North Pole · Other characters
Traditions	Twelve Days of Christmas · Christmas tree · Wassailing · Yule log · Stockings · Ornaments · Lights · Christmas cards · NORAD Tracks Santa · Santa's Grotto · Christmas markets · Plants · Food · Feasts · Events · Parades — Traditions by country: Philippine, Polish, Worldwide
Media	Fiction · Films · Plays — Television: Episodes, Specials — Music: Albums, Hit singles and tracks, Carols, Other Christmas music and songs
Society	Christmas club · Christmas controversy · Christmas creep · Christmas truce · Language · Black Friday · Cyber Monday · White Christmas · Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 · Related holidays · List of winter festivals