How Christmas Lights Became a Holiday Tradition

Candlelit Beginnings

The tradition of lighting up Christmas trees dates back to the 17th century in Germany. Families would attach small candles to tree branches using melted wax or pins, a beautiful but highly dangerous method! These early flickers symbolized bringing light into the dark winter months and celebrating the birth of Christ.

By the mid-1800s, this practice had spread to the United States. But it wasn’t until the invention of the electric lightbulb that things really began to shine.

Edison & the First Electric Christmas Lights

In 1880, just a year after inventing the electric lightbulb, Thomas Edison hung the very first string of electric lights outside his laboratory. A few years later, his business partner Edward H. Johnson created the first electrically lit Christmas tree, complete with 80 red, white, and blue bulbs. It was a hit with the media but remained a luxury for the wealthy for decades.

Glow Goes Mainstream

By the 1930s, innovations in manufacturing and the widespread availability of electricity had made Christmas lights more affordable and accessible. Large department stores began using light displays to draw crowds, and soon, American families followed suit. After World War II, colorful lights became a staple of suburban neighborhoods and a symbol of holiday cheer.

LEDs & the Modern Light Show

Today, LED technology has revolutionized the Christmas lighting industry. Energy-efficient, long-lasting, and vibrant, LED lights have made it easier (and greener) than ever to light up homes, trees, and yards.

We’ve come a long way from wax and wicks to programmable, color-changing displays, and Valley Green is here to help you bring your holiday vision to life with professional Christmas light installation.