Image courtesy Canva

December has arrived, and today is National Christmas Lights Day. One of the most popular decorations is Christmas lights. Whether they are colorful or white, people enjoy hanging them on trees, bushes, windows, rooflines, and even light poles.

Electric Christmas lights have been around since the late 1800s. They were first created by Edward H. Johnson, a friend and business partner of Thomas Edison. Johnson hand wired the first string of lights to replace the open-flame candles people used on their Christmas trees, which were a major fire hazard.

By 1895, President Grover Cleveland asked that the White House Christmas tree be decorated with hundreds of electric lights. This helped make Christmas lights more popular, and over time they became a favorite holiday tradition. Today, many neighborhoods even hold contests to see who can create the best light display.

This season, take time to enjoy the bright and colorful displays around you. Celebrate National Christmas Lights Day by joining in the fun and appreciating the lights that make the holidays shine.