C6, C7, C9, M5 —- agh!!

What is the deal with all of these different sizes of lights, what’s the best for what?  What can be used outside or inside? These are great questions and I’ll try to answer them here.

Classic Lights

C6 – Intended of outdoor use, the C6 is a great choice for hedges, bushes, or smaller trees outside. The C6 has the smallest bulb of the C series, but due to its smaller size every bulb only uses 4 watts of electricity. LED versions of the C6 are also available.

The textured teardrop version of the C6

C7 – Used for moderately sized decorating projects, the C7 is ideal for putting on the house or for lighting up some of the larger trees in the yard. Each bulb of the C7 works on 5 to 7 watts. LED versions are readily available.

The standard incandescent C7

C9 – As the largest of the C series, the C9 is used of the larger scale decorating. Most often the C9 is the primary mainstay for commercial decorating due to the C9’s ability to emit more light . The C9 uses 7-10 watts per bulb and LED versions available.

Mini Lights

M5 – Of the mini lights, the M5 is the most frequently used for both indoor and outdoor decorating. At 1 to 1½ inches the M5 is the perfect light choice for lighting almost any anything.  M5s use 2.5 to 3.5 volt bulbs which are more energy-efficient than the classic lights.

The incandescent M5

M6 – As the bigger brother of the M5, the M6 is about an inch or so longer and just a little wider. Because the M6 is larger it is many times used in commercial decorating.  M6s are also use in residential decorating projects but not as regularly. M6 draw about 3.5 to 4.5 volts, but the LED versions are much more efficient.

The LED M6

G12 – The G12 is a hybrid between the mini and classic lights. The G12 isn’t long and slender like the M series or elongated like the C series but rather round. However, the G12 is classified as a mini light because the bulb is one-half inch in size. The G12 is used for indoor and outdoor use, and it can be put on things such as Christmas trees, shrubbery and roof tops.

The more commonly available LED G12

G25 – At the bulb size of 0ne inch, the G25 is the largest of the G series and ideal for medium decorating. The G25 offers some more light due to the larger bulb size, and it is also great for trees and shrubbery, but also nice to use as a way to dress up a patio or walkway. The incandescent versions are available but the LED is much more energy-efficient.

The LED G25

Novelty Lights

Shaped lights – Of the novelty lights, shaped light are the most common. These lights can be in the form of snowflakes, stars, ornaments, or even chili peppers. Shaped lights can be used both inside and outside, in such as snowflakes on a Christmas tree or stars above a manger scene. There are also many LED types of shaped lights available.

Star Lights

Bubble Lights – Like mini lava lamps, bubble lights are filled with colored liquid which when it becomes hot it causes bubbles to come up from the base of the light. Bubble lights come in a variety of sizes and heights ranging for 3 to 6 inches. Bubble lights are normally for indoor use and they can be put on Christmas trees, mantels, and other room décor.

Assorted bubble light sizes

Tags: bubble, c6, c7, c9, Christmas, g12, g25, incandescent, LED, lights, m5, mini, novelty, traditional
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When the Christmas season comes around, some people grab their boxes of decorations from the garage and try to decorate their house and yard so that it is the best in the neighborhood. However, it doesn’t take thousands of lights and a dozen inflatable snowmen to get attention. Below are some holiday decorations that just a little out of the ordinary.

(Ditto)It’s simple but effective.

It’s just a dummy!

Santa should know better.

Poor Rudolph

Santa’s redneck sleigh

Seasons Greetings

Tags: Christmas light displays, holiday light displays
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When buying a live Christmas tree, asking the grower if pesticides or herbicides were sprayed or sprinkled on any of the trees is not normally the question that comes to mind. For years now, people have been proactive about pesticides used on crops and other domestic plants, but pesticides and other chemicals on Christmas trees have gone unnoticed to the general public. The view point of the average person is “after all, I don’t eat the Christmas tree”. However, point is not that the tree could hurt or harm the customer, but rather the environmental and workers’ health.

For many of us, one of the things that sells us on a “real tree” is the smell, the whole house smells of pine – just like the forest on the way to Grandma’s house.  Well unless that tree came from the forest by Grandma’s house there is a good chance that it has been treated with pesticides and chemically treated to stay pretty and green for the extended holiday season.  So that “smell” could be an indication that you (and your family) are also breathing some pretty nasty stuff and will be exposed to it for 4-6 weeks during the Christmas season.

Harmful to the Environment

Pesticides and herbicides can cause many environmental problems. Nevertheless regarding Christmas tree herbicides, one of the main issues is the effect it has on local ecosystems. According to North Carolina State University an astounding 94% of Christmas trees were treated with the herbicide RoundUp in the year 2000.  Independent scientific studies have shown that standard tree herbicides such as Roundup is toxic to earthworms, beneficial insects, birds and mammals, and in addition it destroys the vegetation on which provides for food and shelter. Roundup also shows adverse effects in all standard categories of toxicological testing, including medium-term toxicity, long-term toxicity, genetic damage, effects on reproduction, and carcinogenicity.

Worker Health

Unfortunately some tree farm workers are working without realizing the effects of the pesticides. Many pesticides are linked to one or more adverse effects, such as cancer, hormonal disruption, neurotoxicity, organ damage, reproductive/birth defects, and asthma. The most dangerous pesticide is Di-Syston 15-G a powder traditionally applied with a bucket and measuring spoon. According to reports, if one grain gets in a worker’s boot or shoe, by the end of the day he could become sick and die.

The next time you go and buy a live tree, purchase from a tree farm that doesn’t use tree pesticides. Pesticides need to be understood as detrimental and harmful. In conclusion, remember one of the most important questions to ask when getting a tree is “Did you use pesticides?”

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