Fairy Light Brands

[liberatordeluxe]

Do you find it makes much difference between own brand quality say for example Homebase versus Noma UK or Premier? I have noticed a lot of places do not stock Noma lights anymore in my area but mainly own brand versions. I can get a 360 Premier set for £26.99 which is good value whereas for incandescent it would cost £36 for a set of 160 Noma classic.

 

[johnrk]

What Are Fairy Lights?

Never heard of them...

 

[iej]

They're an alternative word for Christmas lights in UK English.

 

[petek]

Don't think it matters anymore.. Growing up it was pretty much either GE or Noma that I remember and I don't think either is around anymore,, well the names are, but just the name tacked on a box of stuff made in China that has nought to do with those two companies of yore. Buy whatever is cheapest and/or looks good pretty much. 

 

[iej]

Memories : would love to find a new set or these!

Classic Xmas lights were somehow a lot more magical than moden LEDs.

These Pifco Cinderella lights remind me of my first Christmases.

A big tree, sitting in my grandmother's bay window in Dublin fully decked out in these and the smell or Christmas cake wafting in the background.

I love the way some of those streets with houses with big bay windows put trees out. It's not quite as over the top as the US with outdoor lighting but they tend to go for subtle displays and they just look fantastic.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Pifco Fairy Lights

Ah, THE definitive fairy lights!

Initially we had the version shown in photo number one. Eventually the wires came adrift, and we moved on to the version shown in pic 2. (These are not my photos - I nicked 'em for illustration purposes only).

Much later we had Noma 'Canterbury Bells'.

I do like the warmer glow from the old Pifco fairy lights.

The problem with the more modern lights is that the spacing between the lights is getting smaller and smaller.

 

[liberatordeluxe]

@iej Look out on Ebay although the prices are alot. I reckon you would pay up to £200 or more for the Pifco Cindarella carriage lights.

Modern fairy lights are spaced at 5 to 10 cm apart so you do need a lot for a 6ft tree which is what i have.

I bought some Premier led lights today but took them back as one wire came undone from the led holder and the colours were awful. No amber in these ones. It would appear low voltage lights are built to poor standards compared to mains.

The Pifco, woolworths and noma lights of the 70s and 80s seem to be more robust and longer lasting despite only being single insulated mains cable. The screw in E5 bulbs also seem to last longer too just a pity you cant buy them in shops anymore. I can just about remember as was a child but in 89 you could buy 10 12 v 1.1 watt screw in E5 bulbs for a £1 and they would last many Christmases!

Its tempting to go back to the older style lights for longevity.

 

[iej]

Well, you won’t get away with sloppy wiring with 230V - crappy cables would mean flaming trees!

 

[liberatordeluxe]

@ iej Do you personally prefer mains voltage lights to low voltage?