Christmas Lights or New Years Lights: What Are They After Christmas?
Whether you are an avowed Christmas devotee or New Year’s Eve is more your thing, there is no doubt that almost everyone feels a tinge of excitement whenever these holidays come around. A time of joyous celebration and good cheer, the holidays are when everyone gets together to enjoy each other’s company and the best that the season has to offer.
Of course, we all just love decorating our houses with lights and other items to welcome these special days. And because both occasions are only a few days apart, many people opt to leave their Christmas decorations up until after New Year’s Day, and even afterward.
That being said, there are those who prefer to take their Christmas decorations down and put up an entirely different set of accouterments to usher in the New Year. These people are probably in the minority, but they do exist all the same.
This brings up the question: “Are they still Christmas lights if they are still up after New Year?” You might also ask yourself, “Should a distinction even be made between Christmas lights and New Year’s lights?”
In this article, we aim to clear up the confusion about Christmas lights and New Year lights. Read on to be enlightened!
What Are Christmas Lights?
Christmas lights have become virtually synonymous with the end-of-the-year holidays. Most people wouldn’t dream of celebrating the Yuletide without festive lights, and often leave them up throughout the entire season.
Christmas lights are known by a few other names, including fairy lights, festival lights, and string lights. No matter what they are called, they are typically used to adorn Christmas trees and even illuminate homes during the most joyous of seasons.
What Are New Year’s Lights?
New Year’s lights generally serve the same purpose, which is to celebrate the holiday season. But while most people make no distinction between Christmas and New Year’s lights, some prefer to celebrate these holidays separately. Consequently, they may have different sets of decorations for each occasion.
Of course, most people welcome the New Year with a bang‒literally. Fireworks displays are common, and some may set off firecrackers and make loud noises that supposedly drive away bad luck and evil spirits. They may also add New Year’s lights to the mix, which further enhance the festive atmosphere.
Can You Use Christmas Lights As New Year Lights?
The simple answer to this question is: “of course you can!” Most holiday lights are designed with the entire yuletide season in mind, and in most cases will work equally well for Christmas and New Year’s. You might have to make an exception to lights that have the words “Merry Christmas” emblazoned on them, but even these are generally acceptable considering how close the two holidays are to each other.
Differences Between Christmas Lights and New Year Lights
In most cases, there is little to no difference between light used to celebrate Christmas and New Year. Most people use the same lights interchangeably, so you can use pretty much any type of holiday lighting for either occasion.
In terms of hue, you have virtually free reign to use whatever color you wish, although you will probably want to stick to the same color spectrum for a more consistent and unified look.
White lights are among the most popular because they pretty much work with any color motif. However, you do have to pay close attention to the perceived “warmth” of the light you are getting.
Some lights have a distinctly yellowish tone, while others are almost bluish, even if they are both sold as ‘white’ lights. The difference may seem insignificant but may be quite noticeable depending on the color of the other decorations and accessories around them.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match colors. Red and yellow lights look spectacular together and really enhance the festiveness of the surroundings. You could also combine green, blue, and white lights for a cool effect that blends nicely with the season.
Conclusion
Ultimately, holiday lights are just as adaptable to New Year’s as they are to Christmas. There really is very little‒if any‒difference between them, so feel free to use your lights however you wish. Although it is a good idea to keep an overall theme in mind, you generally have free reign to light up your home according to your tastes and preferences.
