Tiny Bubble Lights

July 18

Bubble lights for Christmas decorations were introduced to the US in 1946 by NOMA, one of the largest American manufacturers of Christmas lights. They were also used in operating accessories for Lionel and American Flyer model trains in the form of special drop-down gates and oil wells. On a grander scale, the same technology makes the bubbles in Wurlitzer jukeboxes. Soon there will be LED versions, but the cool burning lights are going to need tiny heaters to work.

Rockefeller Center Tree

May 24

The Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza, New York, is a much-loved tradition, achieving new heights (75-90 feet) annually. The tradition began during the Depression-era construction of Rockefeller Center, when workers decorated a small balsam fir tree with "strings of cranberries, garlands of paper, and even a few tin cans,” as recounted by Daniel Okrent in his history of Rockefeller Center.

The decorated tree remains lighted at Rockefeller Center until the week after New Year's Day, when it is removed and recycled for a variety of uses. In 2007, the tree went "green," employing LED lights.

Save Money on Energy

May 16

Most of the environmental recommendations around the holidays are about reducing and reusing packaging and holiday wrap. However, the most holiday energy is consumed by Christmas lights and decorations, and the easiest way to conserve in your home during the holidays is to monitor your energy consumption.

Large "traditional" incandescent colored bulbs cost a bundle in energy use. Most C7 or C9 lights use 5 to 7 watts per bulb, some of the older strings use up to 10 watts per bulb!

With energy costs continually on the rise, a single home could be using thousands of extra kilowatts and costing more than $100 a month more on energy simply with the addition of Christmas lights. By using fewer lights and bulbs that are more energy efficient, you can cut your energy consumption by more than 80%.

Save Energy with LED lights

April 20

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.