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'Tis the season to buy new holiday lights?
Ho, ho, whoa! Those jolly old 'fat' bulbs need to go
 For safety and energy efficiency, even Santa would agree we need to slim down on Christmas lights. If your tree lights still use those jolly style "fat" bulbs, replace them with those newer, elfin "midget" bulbs.
Those large bulbs are now so out-of-date it probably indicates the strands are seriously old, too — and possibly dangerous. If you insist on using them, check the strands closely for cuts or nicks that expose electrical wire inside. If you find any problems, don't bother to try to fix them with electrical tape. Just throw them away.
The midget bulbs use less electricity than standard bulbs — 20 watts per 35-bulb strand versus 5 watts for a single "fat" bulb. Ho, ho, whoa! That kind of tradition can bump up your Christmas light bill.
For efficiency and safety, go with either the "Christmas future" or "Christmas past" options: The newest types of holiday lights use LEDs (light-emitting diodes) that are very energy efficient. Or, you can go back to the old days. That is, limit the number of lights and add more reflective ornaments and decorations that don't use electricity at all. Creating your own decorations with your children's help will immeasurably brighten the holiday spirit in your home!
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