We tell you...

Christmas without festive lights would be like vanilla crescents without powdered sugar - no question about it. Nevertheless, it is slowly becoming an issue that needs to be questioned, especially as electricity costs and sustainability concerns are calling into question the existence of the colorfully illuminated snowman next to the life-size reindeer sleigh in the front garden.

So what can we do to reduce costs and also pay tribute to the current situation? We have put together some ideas.

LED instead of old fairy lights

You save around a sixth of the electricity costs by replacing the old fairy lights with new LED versions. Admittedly, this initially means a larger investment, but it makes perfect sense and will certainly pay for itself within a very short time.

Please note: Do not pull cables through tilted windows - the heat loss is so high that it is unacceptable for the energy balance.

Limit lighting duration

A timer is absolutely sensible, especially as the lighting duration is absolutely crucial for power consumption and the idea of meaningfulness.

Decimate wattage

Just like the lighting duration, reducing the light intensity also saves on electricity consumption - a combination of the two measures would be ideal.

Solar lights

If you really want to be gentle, use solar light chains. Of course, it has to be said that charging during the day may not always work as well as in summer and the house may not shine in all its glory. However, this is definitely a good alternative to conventional fairy lights.

Less is more

A complete reindeer sleigh with conventional fairy lights in full operation during the Advent season consumes about as much electricity as an old refrigerator throughout the year - is that really necessary? Is it worth the strain on your wallet and the environment?

AND: Is it really that beautiful?

We believe that the topic of Christmas lighting could perhaps be based on a thought: How much does it take to give this time of year a special glow? How about a single lantern in front of the door?

I have friends who started installing a homemade prayer star in a teenage cherry tree in their front yard a few years ago - nothing else.

The simple symbolism of these Christmas lights with their slightly blurred imperfection is so strong that it almost brings me to tears every year when I see it for the first time. No reindeer sleigh has ever managed that.