A Festive Face-off: White vs. Colored Christmas Lights

With the holidays right around the corner, it is just about time to make sure you have all of your festive decorations up and ready for Christmas morning. While you might be imagining one vision when I bring up the topic of holiday decorations, someone else could easily imagine a wholly different type of decor. What I mean by this is that there’s really 2 core looks at the heart of every family’s choice in lights and ornaments. On one side, there is the classic colorful Christmas, with bright colored lights and flashing red and green all over every surface. Then, there’s the more modern neutral Christmas, featuring white lights and a tree that looks as if it has been covered in a bewitching layer of snow. These two kinds of decoration often end up looking eminently different, to the point where you may be surprised that they even share the same holiday. Due to this large gap, the topic of white or colorful Christmas has caused a surprisingly large amount of family drama since colored lights were first invented way back in 1882. Let’s take a look at these different kinds of decor so that you can decide which type of Christmas is for you. 

In regards to this endless debate, the main point of argument really comes down to the color, or lack thereof, chosen for the lights. While fans of colored lights argue that they are a necessary staple to instantly set the festive scene of a home, people who prefer white lights believe that the lights don’t really need to be the focal point of their Christmas decor. Personally, I think that there are some pros for both options.

When it comes to colored lights, a huge pro is the fact that you can really transform an entire room into a merry holiday wonderland by just plugging them in. The vibrant and fun colors are enough that they could totally decorate your tree amply all on their own. This could definitely be a big perk if you’re someone who doesn’t want to put too much effort into decorating during an already stressful time of year. However, it’s not as if you can’t still add ornaments and other decorations to up the cheer even more if that is something that you enjoy. Additionally, I think that colored lights are the better choice for families with younger children. This is simply because most kids would love seeing the bright and sparkly lights around the house. The colors really just bring on the holiday spirit, who wouldn’t want that?

With white lights, you´ll be creating a different vibe. While you might not be able to radiate Christmas instantly, white lights can provide an opportunity to highlight your other decorations without the risk of any contrasting colors. Pretty much anything matches with white, so you can really go crazy on the decorations if you choose this option. On the other hand, if you’re someone who doesn’t get extremely into decorating, white lights could leave the house looking plain or bland, so they might not be the best move unless you prefer a more minimalist look. In addition, the glow of white lights definitely creates a serene atmosphere which can be ideal for people who just want to relax over the holidays. All the flashing lights and colors can understandably be too much for some people, so if you think that colored lights are overwhelming, then white lights should be perfect for you. 

At the end of the day, it’s really up to you to decide what type of Christmas lights you prefer. If you already have a strong preference, keep in mind that the holidays are about family, so you should try to find a compromise when it comes to any family members who like different lights than you. I´d suggest trying out alternating your light choice from year to year to meet in the middle. This way, you can even attempt to convince your family members of your side by decorating well enough on your years, but avoid a pointless argument. Decorating should be fun, so don’t take it too seriously. Happy Holidays!