The Story of Christmas Lights – A Shining Tradition

The holiday season is here, and streets and homes are aglow with the magical sparkle of Christmas lights! But have you ever wondered where this dazzling tradition began and why we go to such lengths to light up the season? Let’s explore the history and meaning behind this twinkling custom.

The Origins of Christmas Lights

The tradition of illuminating Christmas trees dates back to 17th-century Germany. Before electric bulbs, families used small candles to decorate their trees, symbolizing the light of Christ and the promise of hope during the darkest days of winter. This practice spread across Europe and eventually to America with German immigrants.
However, as you can imagine, placing open flames on trees wasn’t the safest idea! Thankfully with the invention of electric lights in the late 19th century changed everything.

The Spark of Innovation

In 1882, Edward H. Johnson, a colleague of Thomas Edison, created the first electrically illuminated Christmas tree. He hand-wired 80 red, white, and blue bulbs and displayed the tree in his New York home, creating quite the spectacle. By the early 20th century, mass production made electric Christmas lights more accessible, and they quickly became a holiday staple.
Outdoor Christmas lights gained popularity in the 1920s and 30s as people began to decorate their homes and neighborhoods, turning communities into winter wonderlands.

Why We Light Up the Holidays

Christmas lights do more than brighten our homes; they symbolize joy, togetherness, and the triumph of light over darkness. As we string lights on our trees and homes, we’re continuing a centuries-old tradition that brings warmth and wonder to the season.
For many, the ritual of putting up Christmas lights is also about creating memories with loved ones. Whether it’s untangling strands of lights, finding that one burnt-out bulb, or marveling at a finished display, the process is as much a part of the holiday magic as the glow itself.

Fun Facts About Christmas Lights

• Longest Christmas Lights Display: The Guinness World Record for the largest light display is held by the Gay family in New York, with over 600,000 lights.
• LED Takeover: Switching to LED Christmas lights not only saves energy but lasts up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
• “National Lampoon” Inspiration: In the movie, Clark Griswold used 25,000 lights— about the average number used in some modern holiday light shows!

So, as you deck the halls this year, remember: each light you hang is part of a beautiful story, one that connects us to history and to each other. Here’s to making this season bright!
Wishing you a sparkling holiday season

Upcoming Activities/Events

• 12/7 Family Christmas Movie night
• 12/14 Ugly sweater party
• 12/28 End of the year Camper Crawl
• 1/1-1/31 Winter special 15% off your stay all month

Cooking at Camp

Camping Donuts

Ingredients

• 1 can biscuit dough
• 1-2 cup vegetable oil for frying
• 1 cup sugar
• 1-2 tbsp. cinnamon

Instructions:

• Before leaving for your camping trip, combine sugar and cinnamon in a gallon-sized ziplock bag.
• Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet on your camping stove. Using a knife or food-safe scissors, cut the biscuits into fourths.
• Place doughnuts into hot oil and cook 15 – 30 seconds per side, depending on oil heat.
• Flip doughnuts halfway through. Remove when golden brown on both sides.
• Place on a paper towel, then place the doughnuts into the cinnamon and sugar blend in the ziplock bag.  Serve hot!