Christmas Tree Candles Are Back

In thinking about how much I don't want to deal with stringing lights on the Christmas tree this year, I began to research Christmas trees without lights. It's not that I am a Scrooge or anything, but the idea of tangled cords and higher electric bills does not thrill me. In my research, I was quickly reminded that before we began stringing lights on Christmas trees back in the early 1900's, most people put candles with live flames on their Christmas trees.

The first Christmas trees were lit with candles during the Early Modern period in Germany, and the tradition spread through the United Kingdom, and eventually North American and Australia. Before the use of electricity became common, small candles where placed on the trees, gluing them in place with wax. The first electric "fairy lights" for Christmas trees were invented in 1882 by Edward H. Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison. By 1900, Christmas lights were used widely in business establishments and were replacing candles on trees by 1930.

Christmas tree fashion has evolved over the years. We have seen large colored lights, colored blinking light, white blinking lights, and mini white lights that make the tree simply glow. One of the newest Christmas lighting trends is pearl lights which look like glowing pearls and come in different sizes and styles.

As numerous as all the choices are, I still don't think I am in the mood for cords and an elevated electric bill. Another reason I want to go cordless is that I want to place a tree in the center of the foyer and not have to deal with guests (or myself) tripping over a cord when they enter my home. This is why I started researching trees with no lights leading me back to candles. And that fire hazard is definitely out of the question! I did discover, however, battery powered cordless Christmas lights.

Cordless Christmas tree candles can be expensive costing $50.00 for just a dozen, plus the cost of batteries, but if you want a more natural, authentic look without the danger of a house fire, they are a great option. If you don't want to spend money of the 4 sets it would take you to light a tree, you may want to consider using these cordless Christmas tree candles lining your mantle, dining room table, and in other areas of your holiday decorating.