Ah, Christmas. The season of goodwill, mince pies, and passive-aggressively arguing over whether to put up the white lights or the multi-coloured ones. Is there any other time of year where grown adults can be reduced to squabbling over the moral implications of bulb hues? Let’s dive into the dazzling debate.
White Lights: Minimalist Bliss or the Festive Bland?
White lights are like the IKEA of Christmas decor—chic, modern, and occasionally soulless. They scream sophistication, like the neighbour who owns matching crockery and serves wine in proper glasses. If white lights were a person, they’d probably own a Labradoodle named Hugo and refer to their living room as a “lounge.”
There’s no denying that white lights are classy. They provide a timeless, elegant glow that says, “I’ve got my life together,” whether you actually do or not. But let’s be honest, sometimes they can verge on the sterile. A house decked out exclusively in white lights might look stunning, but it also might look like a luxury car showroom or the entrance to a bougie wedding venue.
White lights attract:
- Perfectionists.
- People who think Christmas is about understated beauty, not garish spectacle.
- Anyone who refers to Christmas as “the festive season.”
Multi-Coloured Lights: Festive Cheer or Visual Chaos?
Multi-coloured lights, on the other hand, are the life of the Christmas party. They’re the equivalent of a boozy uncle who insists on singing “Fairytale of New York” on repeat. With reds, greens, blues, and yellows blinking away, they deliver an unapologetically festive vibe that says, “Yes, my house could be seen from space, and I’m fine with that.”
These lights are joyfully chaotic, like throwing tinsel at a tree and calling it art. They’re nostalgic, reminding us of the good old days when we were more concerned with seeing what Santa brought than curating an Instagram-worthy mantlepiece. However, they’re not for the faint-hearted. A poorly strung set of multi-coloured lights can look more Blackpool illuminations than Christmas wonderland.
Multi-coloured lights attract:
- People who think subtlety is overrated.
- Families with small children who squeal with delight at anything that flashes.
- Anyone who believes Christmas isn’t complete without at least one inflatable Santa.
Icicles, Motifs, and Novelty Lights: Niche Festive Favourites
Then, we have the speciality lights—the icicles, the reindeer motifs, the snowflakes. These are for the adventurous, the creative, and sometimes, the overly ambitious.
Icicle lights hang from gutters like drippy stalactites, bringing an icy elegance to your home. They’re favoured by people who want to look classy but still enjoy a bit of flair. They say, “I want my house to look festive, but also like I could host a winter ball at any moment.”
Motifs, like illuminated snowmen or glowing stars, are a different breed altogether. These are for the statement-makers. Motif users are bold and possibly have a competitive streak, looking to outshine the neighbour’s inflatable sleigh.
And let’s not forget novelty lights—penguins, flamingos wearing Santa hats, or, if you’re lucky, a lit-up “Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal” sign. These scream fun and frivolity, often appealing to people who think decorating should be less about tradition and more about turning their home into a festive theme park.
Speciality lights attract:
- The detail-oriented and/or mildly competitive.
- People who want their house to stand out in a neighbourhood of conformity.
- Anyone who thinks normality is boring.
So, Which Should You Choose?
The great white-vs-multi-coloured debate ultimately comes down to personality and preference. Are you the kind of person who wants your house to resemble a chic department store display? Go for white. Do you want to relive your childhood Christmases, complete with a slightly tacky but loveable tree? Multi-coloured is your jam.
And if you’re torn, there’s always the middle ground: mixed displays. A tree with white lights and a garden full of multi-coloured madness might confuse the neighbours, but hey, it’s your Christmas. Live a little.
The Final Word on Festive Lights
At the end of the day, whether your lights are white, multi-coloured, or shaped like a family of glowing llamas, it’s all about what makes you happy. Christmas is the time to embrace joy—whether it comes in the form of tasteful white twinkles or a neon Rudolph that could guide the sleigh itself.
So string up those lights, grab a mince pie, and enjoy the festive season however you see fit. Just remember: there’s no wrong way to do Christmas (unless you’re the person still leaving your lights up in March—sort it out).
FAQs
- Can I mix white and multi-coloured lights?
Of course! Mixing lights can add layers of visual interest—just don’t overdo it, or your display might induce vertigo. - What’s the best type of lights for a small flat?
Fairy lights are perfect for small spaces. Draped over bookshelves or around windows, they add a cosy charm without taking up valuable floor space. - Are LED lights better than traditional ones?
LEDs are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and less likely to overheat. Plus, they come in every colour imaginable, so you can still embrace your inner festive diva. - How do I stop my lights from tangling?
Invest in a storage reel or wrap them around a piece of sturdy cardboard before packing them away. Or just embrace the annual untangling ritual—it’s practically a Christmas tradition. - Should I sync my lights to music?
Only if you’re prepared for your neighbours to either applaud or start a petition.
Dwight Warner is the quintessential oddball Brit, with a weirdly American-sounding name, who has a knack for turning the mundane into the extraordinary. Hailing originally from London, now living in the sleepy depths of Lincolnshire but claiming an allegiance to the absurd, Dwight has perfected the art of finding the surreal in real life. Whether it’s a spirited rant about the philosophical implications of queueing or a deep dive into why tea tastes better in a mug older than you, his blogs blur the line between the abstract and the everyday.
With an irreverent wit and a penchant for tangents that somehow come full circle, Dwight Warner doesn’t just write; he performs on the page. His humour is both sharp and delightfully nonsensical, like Monty Python met your nosiest neighbour and they decided to co-write a diary.
Known for being gregarious, Dwight is the life of any (real or metaphorical) party, whether he’s deconstructing the existential crisis of mismatched socks or sharing his inexplicable theories about why pigeons are secretly running the economy.
A larger-than-life personality with a laugh as loud as his opinions, Dwight Warner invites readers to step into a world where everything’s slightly askew—and that’s exactly how he likes it.
Discover more from untypicable
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.