That special Christmas glow

My parents have drenched their house in Christmas lights as they always do, like clockwork, two weeks before Christmas. It’s a winter wonderland that dazzles the neighbours and certainly brings stars to the eyes of my 17-month-old son Robin.

Recycling schemes for Christmas lights have become a familiar post-holiday tradition, typically popping up in big cities in Europe and North America. This is partly due to the growing popularity of festive decorations – a global market worth US$ 8.1 billion (EUR 7.7 billion) in 2023. It is expected to exceed US$ 10 billion by 2031.

Millions of lights

The record for the most Christmas lights on a natural tree was set in the city of Malmedy in Belgium. It had 194 672 bulbs. Meanwhile, Colombo in Sri Lanka has the record for the largest artificial Christmas tree, standing at an impressive 72.1 metres. A family in Lagrangeville, New York topped their own world record for the largest Christmas lights display in 2021. Their lawn featured sculptures with more than 700 000 lights.

A new study reveals that UK residents alone buy Christmas lights measuring two million kilometres in their lifetime. This is enough to circle the Earth 51 times. It means a whole lot of lights will end up at the recycling yard or elsewhere at some point!

Furthermore, analysts suggest, ‘spending tends to stay resilient even during economic downturns’. It makes sense. Looking at something that inspires warmth and joy brings out the optimists in us.

Nutcracker

We have to be careful not to go overboard with the decor at our house, though. Those little, grabby hands are very strong and determined. Once Robin has snatched something, good luck trying to recover it – especially in one piece. We joke he is our little nutcracker.

He’s just like me in that sense, my mom says. Each year, she repeats gleefully how I dismantled the lower branches of the Christmas tree at just seven months old. I was sitting on my wooden rocking horse in the corner of the room when it suddenly got quiet. You know mischief is afoot when there is no more noise, don’t you?

Luckily, there are many safer and more durable options such as wood and merrily printed textiles. I have bought some toadstools as well as a reindeer and moose with a Santa hat. They can’t be destroyed as they bounce right back and can even be thrown in the wash to last a few more rounds.

I wonder how all our readers celebrate the holidays. Do you have elaborate light sculptures in your front yard and a roof covered in lights? Or do you prefer subtly scented candles and a pinecone wreath centrepiece on the dining table?

Whatever you prefer, I hope it gives your home a welcoming glow.

From everyone at Recycling International, we wish you a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year!