Christmas Lights Advice

LED Christmas Lights have really burst onto the scene for Holiday decorating over the last few years. But you may be wondering, “what are those LED Christmas lights and where did they come from?”

Well, I’ve put together a brief history of LED Christmas lights. I’ve refrained from techno-jargon. I’m saving that for another article

Here is a sampling…..

LED Christmas lights are widely accepted now as one of the many choices of Christmas lights available to consumers. However, it was years ago that the concept of LED’s was actually discovered. Christmas lights are a recent application for LED’s. Light emitting diodes (LED’s) were first used for commercial applications. There really is a history behind LED’s and the effect they currently have (and have had in recent years) on the Christmas light industry.

See all of the article Brief History of LED Christmas Lights.

Shellie
C9 LED Christmas Lights

Every celebration is better celebrated with lights and the Jewish holiday of Succot, or Feast of Booths, is no exception. Succot is a yearly celebration commemorating God’s protection of the Israelites during the forty years they wandered in the wilderness prior to finally reaching the Promised Land. A new succah is built each year complete with wallsa and a roof. The roof is covered in green leaves. Netting is hung from the ceiling of the succah. Attached to the netting are fruits and vegetables. During the Succot festival, meals are taken inside the succah, along with other Jewish observances in honor of Succot. White mini lights would be beautiful strung across the roof and celing of the succah. The lights would softly illuminate the succah for evening meals.

See more of our article with some quick suggestions for using lights to celebrate some of the Jewish Holidays

I just found a fun site dedicated to Christmas. It’s alot of fun with quite a few fun freebies and articles. After you are done here you might consider running over there . The site is Jinglebell Junction. Have fun as you surf for Christmas!

Here is a snippet of the write-up on their front page:

You’ll find all kinds of neat Christmas things here… from an on-line Christmas arcade, printable coloring sheets, recipes and crafts to wallpapers, avatars, famous quotes, clip art and fonts. We have our own forums if your looking to connect with other Christmas enthusiasts.

Best regards,
Shellie Gardner

It’s hard to believe, but the Christmas season is just around the corner. First the air takes on a crispness that I’ve always associated with going back to school. Ok. So, it’s been a few years since I started a school year. This change of season makes me start thinking of the Holidays.

For many people, Halloween kicks off the holiday season. After the excitement of Beggar’s Night is over, we begin thinking about decorations, gifts, family dinners, holiday parties, and holiday baking. There are so many details to remember. Not only throughout the holiday season, but in gearing up for it too!

Here are a few tips on getting ready for the Holidays: (more are coming this is just the beginning…..)

Christmas Lights
Perhaps you aren’t planning to decorate your home until the day after Thanksgiving. However, it is always a good idea to take your Christmas lights out and determine what types of lights you already have and which ones you’ll want to purchase. Make a list of mini lights, C7 lights or other Christmas lights you’ll want to add to your holiday decorating collection. Once it is time to put up the decorations, use Christmas lights both on the inside and the outside of your home to make everything festive and inviting.

Make a plan of your Christmas light display. Whether you draw a picture of your home on a plain piece of paper with a pencil, upgrade your plan to graph paper and a ruler or use the coolest and latest lighting automation software - come up with a plan of how many lights you’ll need, what style and what color theme will suit your taste and impress your neighbors.

If you use artificial wreaths and garland, be sure to unearth them early to make sure they are in good shape for another season.

Gifts for Loved Ones
Create a list of people for whom you’ll be purchasing gifts this year and then list possible ideas next to each one. As you are out shopping, keep the list with you so you can refer to it and be able to get that one-of-a-kind gift for that special someone. Stocking stuffers can be everything from small toys, gag gifts, food items, candies, or other small trinkets, so keep your eyes open for those while out shopping too.

Holiday Baking
Do you have those recipes for special baked goods that only make an appearance during the holidays? Whether you’re baking special goodies with the intent of giving them as gifts or using them for entertaining, now is the time to begin planning which goodies you want to bake for the holidays. Create your grocery list and then go shopping. Some people like to bake a few items over time leading up to the holidays. Others set aside one entire day and dedicate it to baking goodies for the holidays. Planning ahead means you’ll have a beautiful plate of cookies or fudge to set before guests at a moment’s notice.

Dinner Parties
The holidays are the perfect time for entertaining. We tend to pull out the linen tablecloths and napkins, the decorative napkin rings, crystal candle holders, and ornate serving dishes that never see the light of day the rest of the year. When planning for a dinner party, begin with the guest list and then send the invitations in plenty of time so your guests will get your date on the calendar before anyone else’s. Plan your menu, shop for the food, cook, bake, and then enjoy the company of your friends and family with great food and a fantastic atmosphere. Take the time this year to add white mini lights to your dining room to add a bit of Christmas warmth and cheer. Mini lights are perfect used with candles to create an inviting dining room. Your dinner party will be one that is remembered for years to come.

Stores and online retailers are already prepared for consumers who are planning now for the holidays. Get a start on your holiday shopping for Christmas lights, gifts, cards, food, and decorations now and you’ll be ready when the holiday season actually arrives.

Shellie
Christmas Lights
Copyright 2008

It looks like the folks over at Purdue are hard at work improving LED manufacture - hopefully this technology will eventually help decrease the cost of LED Christmas lights!

Advance brings low-cost, bright LED lighting closer to reality from PhysOrg.com
Researchers at Purdue University have overcome a major obstacle in reducing the cost of “solid state lighting,” a technology that could cut electricity consumption by 10 percent if widely adopted.
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