Uses For Broken Christmas Light Strands
I have a number of stands of lights that didn't make it past last Christmas. I would like to find some use for the bulbs or the wires beyond just keeping them around and using the working bulbs to replace others. Any ideas?
Corene from Neenah, WI
Feedback About This Post:
RE: Uses For Broken Christmas Light Strands
My first idea;a clear glass light bulb cover, or one of those ball shaped vases, and one of those "shop" lights with the cage removed (or any plug-in cord with only a light bulb receiver on the end). Remove just the bulb portions from the string of lights, and hot glue them to the glass. It should look like a porcupine ball with all those bulbs sticking out.
Put the regular light bulb into the opening of the glass, and tape across the hole to keep bulb straight. Tip over the whole thing and set on a table as a lamp. 25 or 40 watt bulb for glowing nightlight, 60 or more watt bulb for brighter lamp.
Or you can skip the plug-in part completely, find a clay pot with a bottom that's just a little smaller than that hole in the glass, spray paint the pot a color you like. Turn the pot upside down, and put your light covered ball on top for a home made/unique gazing ball! Will be pretty with the sun shining through all those Christmas lights.
Post by xsnos2
RE: Uses For Broken Christmas Light Strands
holidayleds.com will recycle them.
Post By Beth (Guest Post)
RE: Uses For Broken Christmas Light Strands
I just took a bunch of plugs. I didn't know what they went to to my local recycling center. They will pay you by weight for the wire in the lights.
Post By kat (Guest Post)
RE: Uses For Broken Christmas Light Strands
Those are great ideas, especially the one using them in the garden. Honestly, I wasn't looking for ideas for using them in a "plugged in" state. Rather a use or craft project using the bulbs or the wires. Thanks all!
Post by Corene
RE: Uses For Broken Christmas Light Strands
Those are great ideas, especially the one using them in the garden. Honestly, I wasn't looking for ideas for using them in a "plugged in" state. Rather a use or craft project using the bulbs or the wires. Thanks all!
Post by Corene
RE: Uses For Broken Christmas Light Strands
I take out all of the bulbs and use the wires in the garden for staking/tying up plants that tend to flop over. The green wire blends in with the plants and is not noticable. Since most Xmas lights have multiple strands of wire, you can weave some of the leaves and stems through the wire strands to help hide the wire even more.
Post by readingiggits
RE: Uses For Broken Christmas Light Strands
Some things, you just have to let go of. Safety first, like the one poster said.
Otherwise, someday after you are gone, your family will look in your attic and find an old shoe box marked "string too short to save"!! That was meant to make everyone chuckle, but that really happened to a lady who's mom saved everything. When she died, she had 2k unused McD's french fry cups...
I say unplug it, cut it up so no one will be tempted to use it.
Post by Poor But Proud
RE: Uses For Broken Christmas Light Strands
OK, I am all for being thrifty; but it seems silly to hang on to strings of lights that don't work. I would be fearful of using the cords for anything electrical (if you read the UL labels--the lights are not safe beyond 1000 hours of burn time) and because they have the joints for the light bulbs, I cannot imagine they would be a stong rope. Putting them in the campfire sounds fun (if not exactly eco-friendly), but I would be sure to scoop those ashes into a box and get rid of them afterward, so as not to contaminate the area with chemicals and heavy metals.
You can buy a bulb tester for under four or five dollars at the "mart" type stores. I would pull the bulbs and test them to use as replacements; and throw the rest of the mess out!
It may not be as thrifty; but my family's safety is worth the five dollars I spend on new lights each year... I don't buy into the "recommendations" of the light manufacturers--one does NOT need 100 lights for every foot of tree! I watch for sales or buy them on clearance after Christmas.
I can think of a ton of uses for all the other "useless" stuff hanging around here.... (*grin*); but I have to draw the line somewhere!
Post by Jilson
RE: Uses For Broken Christmas Light Strands
If you have no other use for the lights and are willing to get rid of them, putting them into a campfire will give you a couple of hours of beautiful colors. They do not explode. My son in law had a campfire and I asked how he got the fire to burn blue and green and he told me about the broken lights. His family has done it for years.
Post by picboss
RE: Uses For Broken Christmas Light Strands
Well, I am thinking if none of the bulbs are working then take them all out and use the strand like it's a piece of rope and the bulbs could be used for decorating Christmas ornaments or maybe even leave the bulbs in and use it as if it were ribbon for Christmas gifts?
Post by Deeli
RE: Uses For Broken Christmas Light Strands
Hang them in a tree outside while you wrap them in the trunk of the tree. You can't see the wire but the ones that light will over lap and light up your yard. Works great!
Post By sue132 (Guest Post)
RE: Uses For Broken Christmas Light Strands
I'd like to know what to do with mine, too!
Post by louel53
Disclaimer: ThriftyFun.com cannot accept any responsibility for any injury or damage that you may cause to yourself, others, or property when following any advice given on this site. Read the full disclaimer: http://www.thriftyfun.comdisclaimer.ldml If you find any information on ThriftyFun.com or in our newsletters that is either erroneous and/or potentially harmful to others, please Contact Us, immediately.