Yesterday the second strand of lights have gone out on our tree since we put it up. Grrr. We've decided to leave it be because it literally wraps around the tree! Thankfully it's at the bottom, when the last strand was on the top. That one we couldn't ignore. I'm thinking about getting LED lights because I'm tired of replacing 1-2 strands every year. Do people have them, and do you like them? Do you get the 150 or 300 light strands? Just trying to figure this out so I can watch for sales...
Even more painful is when those pre-lit trees go out. I cut the broken lights off one of the trees and it really messed up the look of it. I do have the led lights outside and they have lasted several years through the rain, snow, and ice.
We had to replace our tree 2016 because they went out! I was so mad. So, we bought an unlit tree. Dh has hated that! So, we gave it away this year, and went with a real one. I guess he decided if he was putting lights on, he wanted a real one.
This one was a pre-lit, and it belonged to my in-laws for about a decade before they gave it to us. When the first few strands went out we replaced them one-on-one (what a pain!), but after the 4th strand went out we took them all off. Now we just treat it like a regular tree and string the lights every year. Ugh! Ophie, now that's not nice at all! Are you going to fix it, or leave it alone? It'd be a toss-up for me. I'm really hating the look of a partially lit tree, but the bottom is easier to ignore than the middle. I see his rationale, there. I'd love a real tree, but around here they're a fortune. We liked to cut one down, but once we were gifted with our current tree we stopped. I wish the light on a pre-lit would stay good forever!!
Oh lights make me go both Ooh & Bah humbug! I came in here thinking this was about untangling tree lights and I was thinking yes! Absolutely, that's the one downside to decorating, drives me nuts every year, but we've never had a pre-lit tree, dealing with it it is just part of the tradition here - when people say 'don't get your tinsel in a tangle', (I think that's from Elf??), my thought is ' I ditched tinsel years ago, but the lights? They are essential to me but always in a tangle' I bought a bag of battery operated tea light 'candles'years ago after one bad Xmas light experience but never actually used them on the tree.. . I think I'd prefer a totally unlit tree to a half lot one but I blame catalogue & store display trees, they set like a xmas body image tree standard & we compare & compete w/ perfect every year with them... Sorry I'm going off topic & clearly need to have my morning cuppa before being allowed to type.
We had a pre-lit tree and so far so good. The last one we had - we lost half the lights and had to string lights on it anyway. That's a bah humbug for sure. I hope the tree we have now lasts for a few years. It's always a joy when we get it out and the lights still work.
yup! i have some near the top of my prelit tree that are out - it's just a tiny little bit. and then every once in awhile they flicker on and off ... just that one little bit. i just laugh and go with it! i'm not interested in buying another one. my family barely turns the lights on ... i've threatened to not put one up next year!!! Jan maybe just buy a small strand of LED lights to string up somewhere - around a wreath or something and see if you like them? I haven't tried them yet but I'm interested to hear how they are.
We have a pre-lit tree and its about 3 yrs old now. Hope it still a lot of good yrs left in it. I can't believe how much new trees cost. I won't be looking forward to that.
@jenn mccabe - I have two trees. The older one is only about a third out so I wrapped an extra strand around it. The newer one was completely out (and yes I tested each light strand separately). It is like they only expect you to use the thing 2 or 3 years and then buy another one.
Good idea, Jenn! We use the white ones, so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out. I prefer the colored lights, but I don't like the way some of them look.
Our dogs played by the tree last week and a wild tail sent 1 bulb into the abyss. Luckily it’s the bottom strand. Still haven’t found the bulb and I cleaned the floors today.
Our pre-lit tree is only about 3 years old, so I'm hoping the lights last a while longer. I only paid about $80 for my 7.5' skinny tree from Hobby Lobby, so when the lights go I'll probably just replace the whole thing. Lights are a pain. I usually have issues with the ones I put outside. We've always had the lights and have had to replace so many strands. This year I went more minimal and just used the big bulb lights I put around my seating area in the summer. I've looked at the LED lights and almost bought some this year, so I'd be interested to know how they are as well.
LOL Lisa! My dogs send my ornaments near the bottom of my tree flying all the time! They love to play ring around the Christmas tree and hang out behind it (it's in the corner). I don't know what they do back there!
