Extension cords and electric bills: It’s time to hang the lights
Whether you go the classy route and place a flickering candle in each window or use a staple gun to attach 250 strands of lights with 100 individual bulbs per strand for a grand total of 25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without outdoor lighting, extension cords, bulb twisting and the occasional less than jolly comment about how much fun it is to brighten up your holiday.
If you’ve ever stood there holding a bin of knotted and tangled strands and wondered why we go through all of this trouble to add to our electric bills by lining our homes in lights, know that this tradition is steeped in, well, tradition.
More:Copotstufftur: The next big leftover Thanksgiving fad
Was Star of Bethlehem the guiding light?
Most sources will say the origin of this stems from the Star of Bethlehem, which guided the Three Wise Men to the manger to reveal the birth of Jesus. The light seemed like such a good idea that it has been carried on for literally thousands of years. (Other sources report it has something to do with the Winter Solstice, which still seems like a decent idea because, let’s face it, late December is dark!) Eventually folks realized they couldn’t hang lights in the sky, but they could do the next best thing, which is to pin candles to pine trees.
Personally I’m not sure how the world didn’t catch on fire with all of those open flames and firewood in such close proximity, but it must have happened at least once or twice and someone was smart enough to figure out another safer way to do it.
In the 1880’s, the first primitive electric Christmas lights were introduced, and although there is no documented proof, I can’t help but imagine that even back then there was a strand that didn’t work and a dad instructed a child to check every bulb to make sure none were loose.
From there, outdoor holiday lighting has taken on a life of its own with LEDs, gigantic inflatables, projectors and even little handy clips that hang off your gutters to hold the lights.
You can put these on the Christmas tradition list, too
But throughout time, I think there are some standard rules or truths that have remained unchanged:
You will always pack them away neatly and find them in a mess the next year.
You will test every strand before hanging, and at least one will not work when hung.
One neighbor will always put them out before you, even if you think you’ll be first on the block.
You will probably blow at least one breaker.
Unplugging it and plugging it back in will work at least 50% of the time.
You will vow to never do it again, but next year you’ll be in the same place doing the same thing because why mess with 2,000 years of tradition?
Reach Karrie McAllister at mckarrie@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Steeped in tradition: Christmas lights and the inconvenience, and joy
