by Marian Huyck Grossi

Created on: December 17, 2008   Last Updated: December 23, 2008

Do you revel in the memories you have and the memories you are creating when you put Christmas lights up? Do you drive around and look at the Christmas lights in your town? Some lights are simply around houses, others are draped like icicles; and then there are those that dance across the house and into the yard in time with the music being played. It doesn't matter what size light display there is, it always makes us happy.

I have written a chronological calendar so you can quickly see a portion of events in history pertaining to Christmas lights. I think we need lights for all of the holidays! Please take a stroll with me through the years.

Mid -1700s - Christmas trees were lit with candles held on to the tips of trees by wax or pins. Christmas trees made a grand entrance and brought joy to all that watched the candles flicker on their tree while singing carols. These trees were usually not put up until December 24 because of the threat of fire. I remember my Grandmother still using a few of her candles her family brought to America from England. Oh, she loved Christmas!

1882 - The American custom of using electric lights began in 1882 when Edward Johnson an associate of Thomas Edison, hand-wired 80 red, white and blue bulbs and wound them around a rotating evergreen tree.

1890 Candleholders were first used on trees to hold the candles instead of wax or pins.

1895 President Grover Cleveland set up a Christmas tree in the White House and so began the tradition.

1900 - A few large stores began putting lighted Christmas trees in their windows. These trees sold for upwards of $300 decorated (over $2,000 today) and included the generator and wireman's services. Around this time people of high society often held Christmas tree parties to raise funds for charities.

1902-1914 Lanterns and ornamental glass balls began being used to hold candles on trees.

1903 Tree lights were first introduced with changeable bulbs and a plug for wall sockets. The American Eveready Company is the first to come out with this popular and thrifty way to light Christmas trees.

1908 - Pulling bulbs from a switchboard, wiring them to a Christmas tree, and attaching them to a battery is credited to Ralph Morris, who created the idea.

1917 A young 15-year-old immigrant, Albert Sadacca, convinced his parent to begin making electric lights, but only 100 sets sold in the first year. The young man began painting the bulbs red, green, blue and other colors and sales went through the roof. Sadacca went on

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