The Great Holiday Light Debate: Colourful vs. Classic White—Which Side Are You On?

The holiday season is upon us—and with it, the promise of crisper air, richer cocoa, and endless debates over a stunning Christmas lighting display.

Are you Team Colourful, with a love for a fully decked house that shouts, “It’s Christmas!”

Or…

Are you on Team White and believe in the undying elegance of the classic white lights?

We all know someone who, in all likelihood, passionately disagrees with our lighting choice. You’ve probably heard some version of: “Christmas isn’t Christmas without enough colour to rival Santa’s workshop,” or “Nothing brings an air of sophistication to your holiday decorations quite like white lights.”

Unfortunately, we can’t settle these debates for good. But what we can do is guide you through the pros, cons, and creative possibilities of each style. So, let’s get into it!

The Case for Classic White Lights

Classic white lights are the Anne Hathaway of Christmas lighting. They’ll add a touch of sophistication while enhancing the theme, no matter the aesthetic. So whether you’re embracing a chic minimalist aesthetic or decking the halls with layers of garlands and wreaths, white lights work well.

• Elegant and Timeless Appeal: There’s a reason white lights never go out of style. Their soft, understated glow radiates charm. They’re the little black dress of holiday decor: versatile, classic, and always appropriate. Whether you’re aiming for a tasteful display or a full-blown winter spectacle, white lights strike the perfect balance.
• Matches Any Theme: From traditional red and green to trendy monochrome palettes or even rustic farmhouse vibes, white lights bring everything together. They’ll complement whatever look you’re going for without overwhelming it.
• Enhances the Winter Atmosphere: Few things feel as magical as white lights glistening against a snowy backdrop. Their faint light is almost like the glow of moonlight reflecting off fresh snow. If you’re dreaming of that picture-perfect Instagram shot, white lights provide the ideal backdrop for cozy winter vibes.
• Energy Efficiency Options: Thanks to modern LED technology, white lights are quite practical. LED white lights consume significantly less power than traditional bulbs, last longer, and are cooler to the touch. So you can enjoy your luminous display without worrying about skyrocketing energy bills or environmental guilt.
• Safe and Practical: White lights offer more than just beauty and energy efficiency – they’re safer for outdoor use. LED options reduce the risk of overheating, and their durability ensures they’ll withstand Western Canada’s frosty winter conditions.
• Perfect for Highlighting House Features: White lights are the ultimate highlighter for your home’s best features. Whether it’s eaves, columns, or windows, their subtle glow draws attention to your home’s architecture without overpowering the scene.

The Case for Colourful Lights

If classic white lights are the elegant ball gown of holiday decor, colourful lights are the Christmas sweater – fun, bold, and unapologetically festive. They bring an undeniable sense of joy to any home, transforming even the most ordinary spaces into one bursting with holiday cheer.

• Vibrant and Fun: Why settle for subtle when you can go all out? Colourful lights are the life of the holiday party, radiating energy and excitement. Whether it’s a rainbow of bulbs or themed combos like red and green, these lights create a spectacle that gets everyone smiling. They’re not just decorations; they’re mood boosters that can brighten even the coldest winter nights.
• Appeals to Kids and Families: Let’s face it – kids couldn’t care less about understated elegance. For them, Christmas is about magic, wonder, and as much colour as humanly possible. Colourful lights tap into that childhood nostalgia for the rest of us, reminding us of holidays spent marvelling at technicolour displays while sipping hot cocoa.
• Options for Multicolour and Patterns: Gone are the days of basic string lights. Today’s colourful options are practically performance art, with blinking, chasing, and pulsing patterns in every hue imaginable. Want red and green for Christmas, or blue and white for Hanukkah? You’ve got it. Some lights even come with remote controls or smartphone apps, making it easy to customize your display.
• Showcases Holiday Spirit: Colourful lights are a big, cheery 'Ho Ho Ho' to the world. You’re basically telling all your neighbours that the holiday season is here and you’re loving it! Colourful lights turn your home into a beacon of holiday spirit, drawing everyone in.
• Customizable Themes for Every Occasion: Colourful lights aren’t limited to just Christmas. With programmable options, you can tweak the colours for other holidays too. Red and pink for Valentine’s Day, green for St. Patrick’s, orange for Halloween, or even your favourite sports team’s colours for game day (Go Oilers?!).

The Pros and Cons of Classic White Lights

Pros

• Elegant, Sophisticated Look: White lights exude timeless elegance, offering a clean and polished aesthetic that works for every occasion, not just Christmas.
• Matches Any Design Theme: Whether your decor leans traditional, modern, or rustic, white lights are the versatile chameleon of the holiday season.
• Great for Curb Appeal: Their uniform glow creates a picturesque look that earns admiring glances from passers-by.

Cons

• Less Festive for Some: Critics might argue that white lights lack the bold holiday cheer that colourful options deliver.
• Too Formal for Playful Setups: If your holiday decorations are vibrant and playful, all-white displays might feel a little dull.

The Pros and Cons of Colourful Lights

Pros

• Vibrant and Fun: Nothing spreads holiday cheer quite like a medley of colours illuminating your yard.
• Highly Customisable: From rainbow chases to two-tone themes, colourful lights offer endless combinations for a unique display.
• Kid-Friendly Appeal: Kids love colourful lights, and they’re a nostalgic reminder of joyful, candy-cane-filled childhood Christmases

Cons

• Potential Clashing: Depending on your home’s design, colourful lights can clash with certain aesthetics or neighbourhood norms.
• Can Be Overwhelming: Go overboard, and your display might take a turn from “festive cheer” to “sensory overload.”

Can’t Choose? Combine Both

Why choose one when you can have both? Use white lights for a refined, sophisticated base, and sprinkle in pops of colour to highlight trees, bushes, or window displays. The result? A perfectly balanced holiday masterpiece that’s equal parts elegance and fun.

Here are some other ideas:

Blended Displays

Use white lights for roofs, pathways, and other structural elements to create a clean foundation, then accent with colourful lights on trees, shrubs, or garden features for that pop of colour.

Layered Lights

Create visual depth by alternating colourful lights on bushes with white lights on eaves. This creates a balance that adds harmony and ensures your yard shines without feeling cluttered.

Colour-Changing LED Displays

Modern LED lights let you switch between white and colourful settings, offering ultimate flexibility. Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy white glow or bright holiday colours, you can have both at the click of a button.

Feature Highlights

Use spotlights or projectors to emphasize specific parts of your display. For example, pair white lights on your eaves with a vibrant multi-colour light projector shining on your front door or lawn ornaments.

Pro Tip: Test your lights early and view them from multiple angles to ensure they work together harmoniously. The goal is a cohesive, eye-catching display and not a mishmash of lights that blinds your neighbours!

Brighten Your Holidays with Green Drop’s Lighting Services!

Whether you're Team Colourful, Team White, or somewhere in between, our professional holiday lighting services are here to make your dream come true. From installation to removal and even storage, we’ll handle it all – leaving you free to enjoy the holidays.

Serving Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Regina, and Saskatoon, we’ll transform your home into a glowing masterpiece. Don’t let tangled lights or wobbly ladders dim your festive spirit. Pick your plan, and let’s make your display the talk of the town.

After all, the holidays are better when they’re lit – literally!