Decorating for the holiday season has always been about spreading a little magic, but how we achieve this has changed dramatically over the decades. From real candles balanced on evergreen branches to ultra-efficient LEDs controlled from a smartphone, each era of holiday decorating tells a story about energy use, technology, and the traditions we carry forward.
At UGI EnergyLink, we believe that looking back at where we’ve come from can help us create a brighter and more efficient future. Here’s a nostalgic tour through the history of holiday decorating and the energy lessons we can borrow from generations past.
The Victorian Era: Candles, Evergreens, and the Birth of Tradition
Before twinkle lights and neatly wrapped strings, holiday decorating was a simpler, and much riskier, activity. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, families would adorn their Christmas trees with real candles clipped directly to the branches—a practice that posed a significant fire hazard.
Trees were often lit for only a few minutes at a time, with buckets of water close by and adults standing guard. Energy use wasn’t part of the conversation yet, since lighting the tree literally meant striking a match.
The Victorian era teaches us something modern homeowners often forget—sometimes less is more. While we enjoy a world of convenient lighting today, using fewer lights or limiting their on-time can still create an enchanting atmosphere while reducing your energy bill.
The Depression-Era: Resourcefulness Takes Center Stage
By the 1930s, electricity was more common in American homes, but holiday decorations reflected the frugality and inventiveness of the time. Families reused everything, tinsel made from actual tin strips, handmade ornaments fashioned from paper or fabric, and strings of popcorn, berries, or scraps of cloth.
Electric lights did exist, but they were fragile, expensive, and often unreliable. Many households still relied on minimal lighting or none at all. Instead, the focus was on heartfelt, homemade decorations that stretched every penny.
This era reminds us that resourceful decorating can be just as beautiful as store-bought sparkle. Today, repurposing old decorations, using natural elements, or choosing long-lasting LED lights instead of cheap, energy-hungry strands can bring Depression-era ingenuity into a modern, energy-efficient home.
The 1950s: Electric and Chrome Holiday Magic
If the 1930s were about making do, the 1950s were about showing off. Post-war optimism swept through American suburbs, and holiday decorating exploded into a new era of color, convenience, and electrical innovation.
This decade popularized the now-iconic string lights that could be plugged in and stay lit for hours. The first widely available colored lights, bubble lights, and blinking bulbs hit store shelves. Front lawns became stages for glowing reindeer and illuminated Santa figurines.
Plastic and synthetic materials also became household staples, giving rise to the first aluminum and artificial Christmas trees, which sparkled under the glow of a color-wheel light projector. These trees didn’t dry out, didn’t need watering, and didn’t pose the same fire risk as real candles and dry pine needles.
The 1950s spirit reminds us that technology and tradition can work together. Today’s energy-efficient decorations allow us to enjoy the same timeless sparkle at a fraction of the cost.
The 1970s–1990s: Bigger, Brighter, and Plugged In
As electricity became cheaper and more reliable, holiday decorations grew––literally! By the late 20th century, lights were everywhere: wrapped around porch railings, lining rooftops, draped across bushes, and circling trees indoors. Think Clark Griswold from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Inflatable lawn decorations arrived, musical outdoor displays began to play, and novelty lights shaped like every holiday icon imaginable lit up the night. Incandescent bulbs still dominated, and these strands were energy-hungry, especially when families left them running late into the night.
The lesson? Holiday joy doesn’t have to mean high energy use, and today’s technology makes it easier than ever to capture that nostalgia responsibly.
Today: LEDs, Smart Plugs, and Eco-Friendly Glow
Fast forward to the present, and holiday lighting has transformed once again. LED lights use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, last far longer, and stay cool to the touch. Smart plugs and timers allow you to automate your decorations so that lights turn off when you go to bed.
Additionally, solar-powered lights can illuminate walkways and gardens without adding a penny to your energy bill. Even artificial trees have evolved, many now come pre-lit with ultra-efficient LEDs that last multiple seasons.
Modern decorating blends the magic of the past with the efficiency of today, creating a holiday season that feels brighter, safer, and more sustainable.
Lighting the Way Forward
From the warm glow of candlelit trees to shimmering aluminum pines and today’s vibrant LEDs, every holiday tradition carries a story and a lesson. As energy use continues to rise, this season is the perfect time to celebrate responsibly by making energy-smart choices.
Ready to keep your holidays bright and efficient? UGI EnergyLink is here to help you save energy every step of the way. Contact us today for solutions that make sense during the holidays and year-round.