Nothing brings out the Christmas spirit like holiday lights, because they are literally the first thing people see when touring neighborhoods and looking for others celebrating this festive time of the year. For a lot of families, once the decorative bulbs go up, that’s when the Christmas season actually begins. And for many, the season isn’t over until the fixtures come down after Christmas (or maybe New Year’s). So the strands act like a sort of herald for the celebrations, rejoicing in the many meanings of the season and serving as good tidings for the coming year.
It’s no surprise, then, that there are plenty of holiday lights to choose from. The traditional options are still the most popular, though modern versions differ quite a bit from the fixtures most put up as a child. Lights are the foundation of any decorative display and are what most people recognize right away. They come in a variety of designs and colors, including multicolored strands that can be set to race or twinkle in one of several patterns. For a long time, they only came in long linear strands, but they are now made in ribbon and net styles to make decorating a lot easier and to prevent the frustrating tangles everyone is familiar with. A ribbon strand can be placed on a tree or column, while a net can be thrown over a bush or rock to add a festive tone.
C9 fixtures are larger than mini lights, and though they can also be placed on a roof or wrapped around a tree, they are most often found ringing the edge of a yard or driveway. C9 holiday lights are also made in a number of styles and colors, though the multicolored version is still the most popular. C9s can also be made with LED technology now, which is more powerful and much longer lasting. Compared to standard incandescent fixtures, LED bulbs offer four to five times the lifespan, so they can go multiple Christmases before any need to be replaced.
There is more to holiday lights than just the standard oblong fixtures, though. Some fixtures are made in the shape of candles and look beautiful when placed in a window. Some are shaped like snowflakes or icicles and work best when hung from trees or from a roofline. Some fixtures eschew seasonal themes altogether and are designed to look like fish, birds, or even something a little more eccentric, like cocktail glasses, shotgun shells, golf bags, or even flamingos. Specialty fixtures are made more for interior spaces or covered areas and can stay up all year. And because there is a set of fixtures for someone of every age, an entire family can find a set of their own.
Of course, there are holiday lights for other celebrations as well. Halloween fixtures are becoming more and more popular as the years go by, and they come in a number of varieties as well. They are made into spiders, skeletons, Jack-o-lanterns and many other designs, so they can spark a little spooky spirit in any trick-or-treaters that ring the bell.
Decorative fixtures are inviting in a way that is entirely unique, and are an affordable way to brighten up the holidays.