How Many Lights For a Christmas Tree? Stunning Holiday Energy Facts By State

Additionally, the wiring of holiday lights plays a crucial role in functionality.

Modern holiday lights are wired in a combination of series and parallel circuits. This means if one section of lights goes out, the rest will usually remain illuminated.

Advances such as shunts and fuses add extra reliability and safety to light strings, making them easier to maintain and operate.⁹

What States Decorate the Most for Christmas Holidays?

Many states go all out for holiday decorations, especially those that rely on end-of-the-year tourism.

Thankfully, Christmas tree lighting has come a long way from the days of candles perched precariously on evergreen boughs.

One standout innovation is the growing popularity of LED lights, which use up to 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than their incandescent counterparts.¹ And, many states have integrated this upgrade into their yearly festivity.²

Meanwhile, some rural areas maintain traditional practices, like using warm white lights or even candles, reminiscent of old-world customs.⁴

For example, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, boasts a display of over 5 million lights, drawing visitors from across the country.⁶ And Gatlinburg, Tennessee which is a shining example of eco-conscious holiday decorating.

The city converted its Winter Magic lighting program to LEDs in 2008, achieving an 85% reduction in electricity costs for the four-month display.⁸

Additionally, Gatlinburg’s initiatives, such as energy-efficient retrofits and solar-powered waste receptacles, align with a broader mission to protect the Great Smoky Mountains while celebrating the holiday season.⁸ Similarly, the Atlanta Botanical Garden features a dazzling one-mile lighted garden path, offering a magical holiday experience.⁷

Both Gatlinburg and Atlanta showcase how public displays can reflect a community’s values while offering joy and inspiration to residents and visitors alike.

How Much More Energy Do We Use During Christmas?

The holiday season is magical, but it can also be expensive, especially when it comes to powering those festive lights.

LEDs help reduce costs, consuming a fraction of the energy used by incandescent lights. Over ten years, running incandescent C-9 lights could cost over $120, while LEDs for the same period cost just $18.¹

To save even more, consider using timers for your lights or switching to solar-powered options. Solar-powered lights, which are increasingly popular among eco-conscious households, eliminate electricity costs entirely and reduce carbon footprints.⁵

What States Reduce Power Costs During December?

Out of the 50 states, only 7 had an increase in power costs from November 2023 to December 2023. They are Alaska, Idaho, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, and Rhode Island with Rhode Island recording the highest increase at 3.63%.¹⁰

All other states experienced a price decrease from the same period. Oklahoma experienced the largest decrease in electricity prices with a drop of 9.18%, followed closely by Nevada with a decrease of 9.12%.¹⁰

Trends in Sustainable Holiday Decorating

Sustainability is becoming a key theme in holiday decorating.

More families are opting for reusable decorations and eco-friendly lighting solutions, such as solar-powered string lights.⁵ These lights are not only environmentally friendly but also add a modern twist to traditional decor.

Furthermore, artificial trees made from recycled materials are gaining traction as a sustainable alternative to real trees.

The U.S. Department of Energy highlights the potential of widespread LED adoption to save the country billions of dollars in electricity costs by 2027, reducing strain on the power grid and contributing to a greener future.¹

Communities like Gatlinburg are leading the charge by incorporating green initiatives such as hybrid trolleys, LEED-certified buildings, and advanced recycling programs into their citywide celebrations.⁸

And for environmentally conscious individuals, these trends offer a way to celebrate the season responsibly.

Fun Holiday Lighting Facts

Holiday lighting isn’t just about function—it’s also about fun.

Did you know that LEDs are so durable that a single string could last up to 40 years if used seasonally?¹ Or that the earliest Christmas lights were hand-wired by Thomas Edison’s assistants in the late 1800s?

Today, lights have become a form of creative expression, with synchronized light shows and music becoming a popular trend.