Light-emitting diode (LED) devices have been available for more than 50 years, but they originally were only used for commercial applications. Outdoor LED Christmas lights came on the market in the late 1990s and have become very popular. They have a different appearance than traditional lights and use substantially less electricity. These products also last longer and are more durable.
A Brief History
Electric outdoor Christmas lighting has been around longer than people might expect. Thomas Edison invented the first strings of these lights in 1880 and displayed them outside of his laboratory. Most people couldn’t afford these expensive devices until decades later, but many department stores were decorating with them by 1900.
Reasons
The most common reason for Christmas decorating is to acknowledge one’s religious faith. Many people, though, simply appreciate the beauty of white or colorful exterior lights. Even in a region that typically doesn’t get cold winter weather, the amount of daylight is shortest during the weeks before and after Christmas. Holiday lights add cheer to the darkness.
There are additional positive psychological aspects to these decorations. For instance, many people connect them with happy childhood memories and the fun times of the holiday. They remember favorite gifts from their youth. Parents think back to the excitement their young kids experienced when discovering all the toys from Santa under the tree.
Relevant Statistics
Today, about 40% of U.S. residents decorate the exterior of their homes or part of their yard at Christmastime, many of them using outdoor LED Christmas lights. About 70% decorate inside. That’s some 80 million households choosing to brighten up the home at this time of year. For more information, please visit The Christmas Palace.
