Being Festive and Thrifty: You Can Do Both!

With the holidays come carols to be sung, stockings to be hung, and decorations to be set. Every family has their own favorite holiday traditions, ranging from movies to be watched to meals to be eaten, but an overwhelming majority of family holiday traditions surround decorating for the season.

One thing that most people secretly dread about the holidays is the cost involved. No one wants to be a scrooge, but the presents, family outings, and energy bills tend to add up this time of year. However, there is no need to worry, it is possible to deck the halls and still have reasonable electric bills.

Here are three ways to make your holiday decorations more energy efficient this year:

1) Use Energy-Efficient Lights
Let’s face it, most of us have used the same old holiday lights for years. However, using the same strands of lights may be costing you. Did you know that LED lights can save 80-90% of the energy typically used in traditional holiday lights. That amount of energy will add up to big savings when it comes time for your electric bill.

2) Use Decorations to Illuminate the Room
One of the best parts of holiday decorations is the amount of decorations that light up. Whether it be your tree, miniature village display, or simply festive candles, many holiday decorations can be used as a substitute for traditional lighting in houses during the holiday season.

3) Lower the Heat
One of the best parts of the holiday season is the amount of family and friends who come to visit. When you have a large group of people over, simply lower the thermostat a few degrees. The extra body heat generated from a gathering of people will make up for the minor difference.