The History of Christmas Lights

First Christmas tree with electric lights, 1882

Ah, Christmastime! It sneaks up on me just about every year, but at the same time, I feel as though I am always anticipating its arrival. There is just something special about the crisp and colder temperatures, the festive music always on the radio, a crackling fire by the warm hearth and the aroma of hot-out-of-the-oven sugar cookies mingled with the scent of fresh-cut pine trees. And nothing makes me feel quite as happy as the beautiful twinkling of Christmas lights, strung from end-to-end on neighbor’s homes, throughout the town square, and around trees big and small in homes, yards, and stores just about everywhere in America.

While Christmas lights have been one of the most popular decorations in the last century, it wasn’t until 1882, three years after Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, that Edward H. Johnson created the first Christmas lights in his home in New York City. He hand-wired his tree with 80 red, white, and blue globe lights that blinked and twinkled while the tree slowly revolved. But Christmas lights weren’t made available for commercial sale until 1890, and their cost was prohibitive for most families. They were more a symbol of status among the wealthy and many people rented lights instead of buying them outright. One set of 24 Christmas lights could sell for $12.00—considering the average person made about $9 a week, this was far too extravagant for the typical family. In addition, the service of a wireman was required and, if the house was not electrically powered, a generator was needed.

Outdoor Christmas lights did not become mainstream for the average family until the 1930s. By then, twinkling electric lights also adorned stores, community Christmas trees, and government buildings. General Electric began to sponsor community Christmas lighting competitions in the 1920s, and by the 1950s it was commonplace to see rows of houses bedazzled by bulbs of many colors. Mini Christmas lights, invented in the 1970s, diversified the landscape by offering clear and white Christmas lights, which have become a favorite, particularly with city parks and businesses who desire color consistency across their displays.

In 2021, the places to experience Christmas lights are as numerous as the types of lights available. Driving around recommended neighborhoods with everyone jammed into the car has become a beloved tradition for many families, including mine!

You’ll often see mini string lights and micro light stringers because of their versatility. Available in either incandescent or LED technologies and in a wide range of color options, these Christmas lights are the perfect addition to almost any Christmas lighting design. All mini string lights available from 1000Bulbs.com are reliable and stay lit if a single bulb fails. Incandescent mini string lights come with replacement lamps, and LED testers and "PODS" for repairing the LED light strings are also available for purchase. Micro light stringers are ideal for door wreaths and mantle decorations.

Outdoor Christmas lights strings more often feature C7 or C9 styles. With their larger bulb size, you get a more “nostalgic” feel, reminiscent of simpler times. Available in different colors and in LED or incandescent options, C7/C9 light strands and bulbs are also sold separately. Many folks are now also using net lights or tree wrap lights for trees, columns, and bushes. Tree wrap lights are long and narrow; designed for tree trunks and columns, while net lights are shorter and wider, better suited for bushes and shrubbery.

When you’re ready to delve into your Christmas lighting design, be sure to explore all that 1000Bulbs.com has to offer. From a vast selection of string lights to battery-operated specialty lights, and even our selection of wreaths and garland available in unlit and pre-lit options, 1000Bulbs.com can be your one-stop shop for affordable Christmas decorating! Go as big as you like (think Clark Griswold!) or be subdued and classy with our vast offerings. Check out our Christmas lights by application page for further insight.