Find out how much it costs to light up your home for Christmas with revealed prices.

Are you curious about how much your dazzling holiday light display is adding to your electricity bill? As we approach the holiday season, it's almost time to unpack the Christmas decorations, untangle those pesky fairy lights, and deck the halls with festive cheer. However, one thing that may dampen your holiday spirit is the increasing cost of living and how it may impact your ho-ho-holidays.

With the cost of energy and groceries constantly on the rise, many people in the UK are concerned about the financial impact of the Christmas season. While there are various ways to save money on bills during the colder months, it's easy to overlook the cost of running Christmas decorations compared to other household appliances. So, just how much do those twinkling lights on your tree cost to operate?

The amount of electricity used by your Christmas lights depends on several factors. The duration of time they are on and the number of bulbs you have will play a role in the cost. However, using nationwide averages can give you a general idea. According to Ideal Home, the average UK household keeps their Christmas lights on for six hours per day. On average, a string of 100 incandescent mini lights uses 40 watts, and most people use two strings, resulting in a total of 80 watts or 0.08 kilowatts.

If we assume that the lights are left on for six hours a day and the electricity unit price is currently at 24.5p per kWh, the daily cost to run Christmas lights would be just under 12p. This means that for a month, it would cost £3.53 to have your Christmas lights on for six hours per day. Keep in mind that this calculation does not include the 61p daily minimum standing charge, any additional holiday energy consumption, or your specific energy tariff.

However, don't worry, the cost of Christmas lights is unlikely to break the bank. In fact, using LED lights can significantly reduce your expenses. According to finance expert Martin Lewis, while incandescent lights cost 1p per hour per 100 bulbs, LED lights are much cheaper, at around 1p per 12 hours for the same number of bulbs.

So, if you're looking to save some money on your holiday decorations, consider switching to LED lights. This article was originally published on November 27, 2023. We would love to hear your thoughts on this topic, so please feel free to share your views in the comments below. Happy Holidays!

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