Battle of the Bulbs: Colorful or White Christmas Lights?

COLORFUL:

As I stare at my laptop and try to comprehend the insurmountable amount of work I have to do, my mind can’t help but drift to what awaits me after final exams. 

I yearn for nights spent curled up by the fire with a warm blanket and a cup of hot cocoa, watching cheesy Hallmark movies while snowflakes fall outside the window. I fantasize about the beautiful Christmas tree in my living room, lovingly adorned with bright lights and precious ornaments. 

In this happy vision, there are no white lights to be found — because all I want for Christmas is for people to realize the superiority of multicolored lights. 

There are many factors that give these vibrant, eye-catching lights a leg up in the festivity department. 

Foremost, white lights are used all year round, making them a less merry option by the time Christmas rolls around. Many people seem to love using them when decorating their spaces, including the thousands of college students who appear under the search “dorm inspo” on TikTok or Pinterest. 

On the other hand, multicolored lights bring with them the Christmas spirit, as they usually only come out during the holiday. 

It’s tradition to wrap a house or tree with these bright, colorful bulbs in December — or sometimes even earlier. In fact, the first ever electric Christmas lights, made in 1882, were multicolored, according to the Library of Congress.

While white lights can create a wistful, warm glow, they don’t provide the same magical atmosphere as multicolored lights. 

Picture sitting around the tree with your family as blue and pink rays shine on their happy, smiling faces, casting them in an enchanting glow. Think of how red and green bulbs evoke the holiday itself, intensifying the room’s whimsy. 

Christmas isn’t about being aesthetic. It’s about spending time with loved ones and celebrating life’s simple pleasures. It doesn’t matter if a tree looks a little ugly with its multicolored lights, as long as it brings cheer to those it belongs to. 

In the wise words of Mariah Carey, “IT’S TIME!!!!!” to fight against beige Christmas propaganda and embrace the festivity of multicolored lights. 

These vivid, brightly colored bulbs are a staple of Christmas and mark the commencement of this cheerful season, reminding celebrators of the true Christmas spirit.

WHITE:

Warm chamomile tea, gingerbread and sunbeams filtering through a window all have one thing in common — a cozy gold color that perfectly encapsulates the hominess of the holiday season. 

An essential part of Christmas mornings is waking up and walking into the warm glow of a living room, teeming with balmy resplendent memories. After all, no one wants to face a multicolored taste of astigmatism first thing in the morning. 

Contrary to popular belief, white-colored lights don’t have to be boring. White lights aren’t synonymous with stale beige decor, and they do more for the holiday by providing a calming atmosphere compared to gaudy-colored lights. 

Their warmth is versatile in their ability to harmonize with all festive aesthetics and accentuate both colorful ornaments and homemade decor. Above all, ornaments are the main attraction of a tree, each with its own memory or story. White lights help these anecdotal adornments stand out instead of distracting from them like multicolor lights do. 

It’s true any color combination can light up the room for the holidays, but the luster bouncing off the windows on a snowy night makes for a perfect evening. Considering the short hours of sunlight in the winter months, white lights can make a room feel cheery without the use of obnoxious primary colors. 

Christmas lights had their first colorful debut in 1882, when they were invented by Edward H. Johnson, according to the Library of Congress. But it makes perfect sense a more versatile and all-around cozier color would become more popular over time. Colorful lights may be nostalgic to some, but gold is timeless and classic, reminiscent of a slow sunrise over a winter wonderland. 

Take some examples from classic Christmas movies. The Christmas tree at the center of the North Pole in “The Polar Express” casts a warm, white glow over the entire scene. The film is already iconic and nostalgic for many, and the light shining off the jingle bell, illuminating the exchange between the boy and Santa, is a crucial aspect of the scene. 

Charlie Brown’s little tree is similarly wrapped in yellow lights. The Christmas store in “Elf” is decked out in golden lights from top to bottom, casting a romantic glimmer on Buddy and Jovie’s first meeting. The superiority of white lights is indisputable with so many iconic Christmas movies opting to use them. 

As the holiday season descends upon us, consider ditching flashy, colorful lights and opting for a classic gold that will make a lasting impression instead.