What would the most wonderful time of the year be without twinkling Christmas lights? Everyone has their own family traditions when it comes to putting up their decorations. But, have you ever stopped to wonder where Christmas lights come from and who actually invented them?

In this guide, we're going to answer this question and give you a short history of the brightest festive tradition of them all!

The origins of adding lights to Christmas 

Long before LED lights became the tree decoration of choice, candles were used in their place. It is thought that the combination of evergreen trees and light comes from ancient pagan culture, where it was used to represent life during the dead of winter.

German Christians were the first to use the Christmas tree as a form of symbolism. The tree was combined with the traditional burning of the Yule log (also inherited from Pagan beliefs), which is where the use of candles originates from. The legend goes that the famous theologist and author Martin Luther came up with this idea.

The Christmas tree made its way around the world over the following decades and became a festive staple by the mid-19th Century. Throughout this time, candles were mounted on Christmas trees to represent Christ, the light of the world.

Moving from candles to electric Christmas lights

While candles were popular, they were never very safe! The focus shifted to creating a safer alternative that still packed a sparkling punch for any Yuletide displays.

Electric Christmas lights have a long and interesting history that stretches back to the 19th Century. In fact, the Christmas light string was one of the first things to be invented after Thomas Edison patented his successful light bulb design in 1879.

It was Thomas Edison himself who first strung electric lights together for decorative purposes. During the winter months of 1880, Edison hung a strand of electric lights across his laboratory door in New Jersey. The lab was in sight of the local railway tracks, giving train riders their first jaw-dropping glimpse of an electric light display!

Although this clever advertising tactic undoubtedly impressed passers-by, it would take another 40 years for electric Christmas lights to become a holiday tradition. It was actually a friend of Thomas Edison, Edward Johnson, who produced the first string of electric lights for a Christmas tree back in 1882.

Even in the early days of the light bulb, indoor Christmas tree lights would have been a much safer alternative than traditional candles. However, the general public didn't yet trust electricity, so it took so long for indoor electric Christmas lights to become the norm.

Making Christmas lights available to homes around the world

Although the new phenomenon of electricity caused immense excitement amongst the public, there was an understandable feeling of distrust. Even regular electric lights were not readily available at this time, let alone colourful strings of filament bulbs.

The electrical wiring process was also extremely time-consuming and expensive at the time. In today's money, it would have cost almost £2,000 to light a standard-size artificial Christmas tree with electric lights!

Electric Christmas lighting had huge potential, but it needed a sharp business mind to bring them into the mainstream. Albert Sadacca was the man for the job. The Sadacca family owned a novelty lighting company and Albert brought the idea of brightly coloured Christmas lights to the table.

This happened in 1917, and the Sadacca family subsequently dominated the Christmas light market right up until the 1960s. By this point, plenty of people had their eyes on the lucrative festive light market and began producing products to rival the Sadacca designs.

Improving Christmas lights safety 

For early Christmas light manufacturers, one of the biggest concerns was convincing the public that electrical lights were safe enough to put on their Christmas trees. Everyone knew the risks of using traditional candles, but it was thought that electricity could pose even more of a danger in the home.

Of course, this wasn't the case! Organisations such as the Sadacca Novelty Lighting Company improved the quality of the cables and bulb connections so that they could demonstrate their safety to potential customers. The wider availability of safe plug sockets for the home also meant the public was more willing to take the plunge.

Christmas lighting today

Today Christmas lighting is a central pillar of the festive period. It's hard to imagine a time when Christmas lights and pre-lit Christmas trees weren't standard in every household!

Christmas lights have evolved quite dramatically, with outdoor Christmas lights becoming just as popular as indoor ones.

A big difference between modern Christmas lights and designs of the past is the use of LED bulbs. LEDs are much more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs, consuming around 90% less power. Not only do LEDs save you money, but they help the environment too!

If you want to take your sustainability to the next level, you might consider picking up some solar powered Christmas lights. Solar energy is becoming more and more reliable and could even be the most popular power source for LED lights in the future.

Electric Christmas lighting styles

Since electric Christmas lighting was first made commercially available, buyers have had plenty of choices regarding aesthetics and style. One of the biggest initial draws of Christmas lights was that they came in different colours, unlike the candles that had been used prior.

With that said, the most popular Christmas tree lights are the ones that replicate the subtle white glow of the old candles. Investing in neutral white Christmas lights is a surefire way to achieve a timeless, classy decorative style.

You've got plenty of options if you want something a little more unique. Blue Christmas lights are quite popular at the moment, and multicolour Christmas lights always boost the Christmas spirit.

Famous Christmas Light displays around the world

Rockefeller Centre - New York City

The Rockefeller tree lighting is a cultural institution in New York. Every year over 125 million tourists flock to the building to take a look at the huge illuminated Christmas tree outside. The tradition dates back to 1931 when builders working in the offices made their own electrical light display on a nearby tree.

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is a spectacle all year round, but it never looks quite as good as it does in the Christmas season. Huge areas of the amusement park are doused in an electrical illumination that really captures the festive spirit. The giant Christmas tree in Town Square is a must-see if you find yourself at the park around Christmas time.

Tokyo Festive Lights

Many major cities have impressive Christmas light displays, but few take it to the same level as Tokyo. The famous Skytree Town is lit up with a staggering 420,000 LED lights during the holidays, while the nearby Skytree Tower takes on Christmassy green and red colours for the occasion.

Ayala Triangle Electrical Light Display

If you really want to see festive lights that will take your breath away, then you won't find anywhere better than the Christmas Eve Ayala Triangle display in Manila, Philippines. This jaw-dropping electric lighting show gives a new meaning to Christmas lighting. You really have to see it to believe it!

FAQs 

Why do we hang lights for Christmas?

In the Christian tradition, Christmas lights symbolised Christ as the world's light. At first, these Christmas tree decorations were candles. In the 20th century, the lights evolved into electric lights, which we still use today.

A more modern explanation is that the lights offer brightness in winter's cold, dark months. Hanging lights is also fun for kids and helps everyone get into the Christmas spirit.

Who sold the first Christmas lights?

It is thought that Edward H. Johnson was the first person to string together coloured electric lights for a Christmas tree in 1882. It's unclear who first made Christmas lights commercially available, but indoor electric Christmas lights took a few decades to take off properly.

Are electric Christmas lights a fire risk?

Since modern festive lights typically consist of low-energy LEDs, they are a very safe choice for festive decoration. Switching Christmas lights off overnight is still recommended, especially if you have a real Christmas tree.

Brighten up your decorative display with Christmas lights

Why not explore Christmas Tree World’s fantastic collection of Christmas tree lights and realistic Christmas trees to create your very own winter wonderland inside of your house?

With so many twinkling Christmas Tree Light styles to choose from, we are sure you will find something that will take your fancy!