There’s no snow forecasted in our immediate future! If fact, the predicted temperatures could be considered balmy. Spring-like. Lovely. So why is this this putting us in a Christmas state of mind? Because it’s a perfect time to add some tree lighting to this weekend’s chore list and hang your Christmas lights! These beautiful, late fall days are perfect for getting a jump on outdoor holiday decorating. There’s no rule that says they need to be lit right away and it’s so much easier to put them up now. The moderate temps mean that both your fingers and those cords will stay flexible! No slippery ladder rungs. And you can take your time and schedule the job between football games. One rule still applies though. Be sure to test those lamps first to make sure that everything is in good working order. And if you do need replacements, perhaps it’s time to consider making the switch from incandescent to LED.

Let’s eliminate a lot of the hand wringing and present the facts. Even though LEDS are certainly the less understood kid on the block, they have been around long enough to prove their worth. The lamps use Light Emitting Diodes rather than filaments to produce light. So we’ll start with them. These lights:

• especially in pure and warm white, appear brighter than incandescent lights.
• are easily installed as you can connect many more strings in a series, using fewer extension cords.
• use up to 90% less energy.
• are constructed of non-breakable polycarbonate plastic.
• are cool to the touch.
• come in so many shapes and forms.

But there are a few minuses. You’ll find that LED Lights:

• are a bit more expensive to purchase, though the price has come down considerably.
• are susceptible to power surges, so it’s a good idea to use a surge protector.
• performance can be affected by standard timers, especially in cold temperatures, so invest in timers that are LED compatible.

As a bonus, the developing technology of LED light strings offer all kinds of really cool features from mode functions to color mixing. We’re especially excited about the new colors and flip features on some of our trees and strings.

Despite the well-deserved reputation of LEDs, Incandescent Lights have pluses. They:

• are more economical, though the price of LED technology has become much more affordable.
• provide warmer, richer colors.
• are available in a wide variety of bulb shapes, string lengths and wire colors.
• are made with lamps that are easily replaced.

There are still a few drawbacks though. As a user, you:

• can break the lamps as they are made with glass.
• must limit the number of connected strings to three.
• can overload household breakers, though you’d be hanging a lot of lights to do this.

Now that you’re in possession of all of the facts and figures, surely you should be able to make an informed decision. Right? Well, if you’re still on the fence, stop into the Garden Center and a Holiday Associate can help you tip the scale.