Has anyone made the switch to LED Christmas lights?

[Coll0610]

Target has some of their Christmas lights out already and I was looking at them today. We had several strands go bad last year and I'm going to have to buy new ones this year and I'm wondering if it's time to switch to LED. I know they use less energy, but they are still 5 times as expensive as the traditional lights. Does anyone have any experience with them? Are they more durable? Do the bulbs last longer?

 

[brockash]

We started using them last year, and honestly I kinda wish we would have stuck with the old kind. They are very expensive, but I decided to get them because of the energy thing, but they're sooooo UGLY. To me, they don't look like x-mas lights. I miss the warm look of the old kind. I won't be going back, now that I spent all that money, but really I wish I would have just gotten more of the other kind.

 

[snoopy two]

I agree with Brockash. I made the switch 2 years ago. I went from the larger, colorful tree lights to the smaller LEDs. They aren't as bright and glowing, so I can't see the ornaments on my tree at night. I tried more lights, but that didn't work. The only LEDs I do like are the bright, white ones I put on the outside tree. And, I didn't think they made much of a difference on my electric bill.

 

[arminnie]

I want a pre-lit tree with LED lights. Haven't found one yet.

 

[Disney Doll]

We don't have them on our inside tree but we do put them on the outside and I love tem. I love how the colors are so deep and rich.

 

[pearlieq]

We put them up last year and they're awesome!

The colors are rich and bright. They look so cheerful and shiny. I am an LED convert from here are on out.

 

[B714210]

We made the switch inside 2 years ago and outside last year. I love them! We get lots of compliments from visitors and neighbors that the colors are brighter and more intense. Perhaps some brands are not as vibrant? Ours were purchased through a school fundraiser. We have not had a single bulb burn out yet, and I love that they are cool to the touch, always. I feel like I can leave them on for hours and not worry about them getting overheated. I'm not sure about the energy savings, since I live in WI, my energy bills spike every winter no matter what.

 

[brergnat]

I want a pre-lit tree with LED lights. Haven't found one yet.

Go to Lowe's. We got one of those two years ago. It's really nice! It came with white lights, but we bought two strings of colored LEDs and made it a combo tree.

 

[kelly1218]

Before you toss the old lights!!!!!!!!!!!!


For the last 2 years, Home Depot has offered $3 ( I believe) towards the purchase of a new strand of LED lights...if you trade in a strand of the old traditional lights.
The old lights are recycled, and don't need to be working.

I think they allowed 5 strands per customer...and it ran for a long weekend (thursday-sunday)

 

[arminnie]

Go to Lowe's. We got one of those two years ago. It's really nice! It came with white lights, but we bought two strings of colored LEDs and made it a combo tree.

Thanks so much! I have to admit I haven't really looked this year. I spent most of the past few months cleaning out my father's home. He died before Christmas last year so I didn't spend much time looking then either.

I am now getting settled in and thinking about this year. I think the LED lights will hold up better than the regular type. I sold our previous tree at the estate sale.

 

[elgerber]

We have them on the outside, but only for 2 years so far. I am hoping they still work this year. We switched to LED's on the inside tree about 3 years ago, and they quit working after 2 years, so we went back to regular lights inside.

 

[Karlzmom]

I found that several of my Christmas ornaments no longer work, a they only plug into the "old" style lights for power..so no carousel, no chirping Cardinals, etc. I miss the softer glow for my inside tree as well. The white LEDs are both harsh on the eyes, yet seem to not illuminate the tree as well...kinda odd, if you ask me.

 

[cheriemek]

DH bought them a few years ago, and I hate them. It makes the tree seem like a sci fi experiment. Its an odd glow, and not the soft light that I like. DH prefers them, though, so you may as well.

 

[ilovejack02]

I want a pre-lit tree with LED lights. Haven't found one yet.

I will look at Hobby Lobby when I go and let you know if there have one .

 

[maggiew]

We made the switch last year to LED lights outside. You will need to get all new lights (you can't do half this year, half next year, for example) because the LED lights are a different "color" than the regular lights. But we like them. We got the LED icicle kind.

Maggie

 

[TiggerMomNine]

We switched two years ago. We have more lights that we did before, and I don't mind them. I'm sure they use less energy, but how could you tell?

We also add a strand of the old style lights so we can put our "magic" ornaments from Hallmark - we have a collection of Star Trek ships that need to plug in to the light socket.

 

[LuLuO]

We have regular lights for our tree but our outside lights are LED. I like the LED lights a lot.

 

[Golf4food]

Almost entirely LED for outdoor lights, but we still prefer old lights on the tree for the special glow - LEDs just don't glow. They are great outdoors, very penetrative and clear and have great color, but they just don't give you a Christmas tree glow.

 

[maggiew]

We switched two years ago. We have more lights that we did before, and I don't mind them. I'm sure they use less energy, but how could you tell?

We also add a strand of the old style lights so we can put our "magic" ornaments from Hallmark - we have a collection of Star Trek ships that need to plug in to the light socket.

"Shuttlecraft to Enterprise. Shuttlecraft to Enterprise. Spock here. Happy Holidays. Live long and prosper."

Maggie

 

[Debbie7452]

We changed to LED outside lights last year. I want to love them...but I just don't. I am sad that we are now stuck with them. We bought the "good" ones that were supposed to be brighter and a warmer white, but they are too dim and can barely be seen from the street.