The First Christmas Lights
One would think that Christmas lights have been around
for as long as Christmas itself. Can any of you imagine Christmas without
lights? How would the children find their way in the dark, so early on
Christmas morning without them? The history of Christmas lights is intricately
tied to the dawn of the modern era, when houses began to be supplied with
electricity.
As you are likely aware, Thomas Edison invented the first functioning light bulb back in 1879. A few years later, in 1882, an associate of his first employed the use of lights on his Christmas tree. Edward Johnson was the first to electrically light his family Christmas tree in his New York home. His home was located in one of the first sections of the city to be wired for electricity.
A visiting reporter from Detroit reported the following in "The Detroit Post and Tribune": "Last evening I walked over beyond Fifth Avenue and called at the residence of Edward H. Johnson, vice-president of Edison's electric company. There, at the rear of the beautiful parlors, was a large Christmas tree presenting a most picturesque and uncanny aspect. It was brilliantly lighted with many colored globes about as large as an English walnut and was turning some six times a minute on a little pine box. There were eighty lights in all encased in these dainty glass eggs, and about equally divided between white, red and blue. As the tree turned and the colors alternated, all the lamps going out and being relit at every revolution. The result was a continuous twinkling of dancing colors, red, white, blue, white, red, blue---all evening."
In 1890, Edison published a promotional brochure which may have been the first mention of commercially available electrically powered Christmas lights. It stated that "There are few forms of decoration more beautiful and pleasing than miniature incandescent lamps placed among flowers, or interwoven in garlands or festoons; for decorating Christmas trees or conservatories..."
From there, the popularity of Christmas lights exploded. Before long, every family had them and they became synonymous with the Christmas tree. It’s hard to imagine Christmas without Christmas lights. I tip my fuzzy red cap to you, Mr. Edison. You have given us all a gift we will always cherish!
Explore more about Christmas Decorations
The Birth of Christmas
Lights
Before electric Christmas lights were invented, people depended
upon candlelight to illuminate their Christmas trees. At the beginning of the
twenty-first century, Christmas lights have become a work of art in themselves,
with new ways of displaying their illumination getting invented all the time.
Christmas Stockings for
Stocking Fillers
Stockings and stocking fillers are an old Christmas
tradition. When Santa Claus went down some chimneys, occasionally small gifts
fell out of his sack and landed inside peoples socks and stockings that were
hanging around the fireplace to dry over night. The owners of the stockings and
socks were happily surprised on Christmas morning to find their stockings
filled with stocking fillers.
Christmas Stockings - A
Tradition of Celebration
As with many Christmas traditions, there are
legends galore to explain the use of Christmas stockings. Stockings have
changed over the years. Most people don’t hang an actual stocking that
they wear on Christmas Even, but instead they hang special decorative stockings
to be filled by St. Nick.
Create Your Own Christmas
Stocking Patterns
You can buy a Christmas stocking pattern or trace a
stocking you already have to create a handmade Christmas stocking.
Making Heirloom Christmas
Stockings - Gifts to Treasure
Handmade Christmas stockings are the
stockings that are most cherished. There is nothing more wonderful than making
or receiving a handmade Christmas stocking from a friend or relative. Handmade
Christmas stockings can be knitted, cross-stitched, crocheted, embroidered,
quilted or made from felt, silk, velvet, or other fabrics.
Personalized
Christmas Stocking
Christmas socks are now used as decorative ornaments
for the Christmas season. You can hang them by the fireplace, Christmas trees,
window sills and on our tables. You can buy them in the supermarket and will
come in different designs and patterns. You can also make your own Christmas
socks and add some personal touches using your own creative imagination.
Free Christmas
Stocking Pattern
Year after year does Santa Claus bring you socks? They
might be a great gift for Santa in Lapland but on the whole they are a pretty
unimaginative stocking filler. Well we have a fantastic idea to turn a boring
old pair of socks into a cute, cheeky, little sock monkey.
Decorating Your Workplace
for Christmas
If you are interested in decorating your workplace or even
just your workspace, you will find that there are a number of different ways
that you can go about doing so; ways that can help you find affordable
Christmas decorations or the ones that look the best.
Helpful Christmas
Decorating Ideas
There is a fine line between festive and flashy and I
have always tried to give my best not to cross it. Thus, I have used for my
Christmas decorations natural items and lights. I am a candle light lover so I
wanted to use it outdoors but I didn't know how.
The Significance of Christmas
Angels
The Christmas angel plays a significant role in the history of
the first Christmas, because it was the angels that originally announced the
coming of the Messiah to Mary, and relayed the good news of His birth to the
rest of the world.
Outdoor Christmas
Decorations Tips
Among the outdoor decorations available, animated ones
are popular, featuring traditional scenes and things such as moving santas and
reindeers accompanied by a sleigh. Inflatable outdoor decorations are also
available in blow up form as santa or a snowman, along with tamer decorative
items like balloons.
How To Make A Tin Can
Luminary
A tin can luminary is a fun, easy craft project for all ages.
They are great for any holiday and only limited by your imagination! You can
transfer any simple shape onto a tin can to create a beautiful candle holder
for any occasion.
Christmas Reindeer Silhouette
Clock
Make a Christmas decoration that is both functional and decorative
with this festive reindeer clock.
Christmas Decorating
Ideas
The time has come to start putting up Christmas decorations. But,
before you rush off to your local store to buy this years collection of
baubles, wreaths and garlands, think carefully about your decorating theme.
Christmas themes can vary from traditional to modern; elegant to fun; natural
to high-tech etc.
Personalized Christmas
Ornament
Creating your own personalized engraved Christmas ornament is a
lovely way for you to remember each year that passes. The beaded Christmas
ornament is fun to make and they look very nice on the Christmas tree.
How to Safely Display
Christmas Candles in Your Home
Christmas candles can add a warm and
inviting glow to any room, and can dress up your holiday décor before
they are even lit. If you decide to decorate your home with Christmas candles,
you would be wise to consider a few safety precautions.
Planet Christmas
As a kid, everyone remembers the
one house or business that really went all out for Christmas. If you want to be
that place for today's kids and make the memories that last a lifetime,
PlanetChristmas is here to help. This is THE place to learn from others how to
create incredible Christmas displays.
Christmas Magic & MORE! Christmas Displays
Lights Holiday Ornaments...
Holidays with Lights offers the
highest-quality outdoor-lighted displays for residential and commercial use. We
are a family owned and operated company with the belief that quality is the
focus of everything.
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