chronically-helpless primitive sees some Christmas lights

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=287x8963

Oh my.

Paper Roses  (1000+ posts)      Mon Nov-29-10 08:20 AM
THE CHRONICALLY-HELPLESS PRIMITIVE
Original message

I recently saw some really cute Christmas lights. One half inch diameter colored balls. These are electric indoor tree lights. I cannot seem to find them in the stores. Anyone seen them anywhere?

My lights are old and as I tested them yesterday, 2 of the 4 strings are not working. I guess it is time to get new ones. Love to find these.

No primitives have shown up at this campfire, so perhaps we can help.

Anybody know?

franksolich sticks with the old-fashioned Christmas tree lights, the ones that are tapered, and which one screws into the base.  Miniature lights suck.

Also, franksolich uses the old-fashioned "bubble lights," which one can't seem to find any more.  Fortunately some years ago, franksolich hoarded a 132-years' supply of them, gotten from thrift stores several years ago.

[Karin]

This woman is maddening.  She gives no further clue; no wonder nobody is answering her.  WHERE did she see them?  A store circular?  On TV?  At a friend's house?  Oh Dear Lord, the chronically helpless really do try one's patience. 

[franksolich]

You know, they don't make strings of electrical Christmas tree lights like they used to.

When I was a little lad, a string typically had circa 25 sockets (or some number thereabouts); nowadays they come with just 7 sockets.

And plug 3 or 4 strings together, for 21 or 28 lights, and the whole thing shorts out.

When I was a little lad, it seemed to me that one could take the last connecting part of 4 or 5 strings of 25-socket lights, insert one of those multi-outlet things, and plug in the electric train, the electric bear, the electric heater, the electric power-saw, the electric blanket, and the kitchen refrigerator, and all would hum along nicely, no problems.

Of course, when franksolich was a little lad, electric Christmas tree lights were made in New Jersey, not in third-world countries.

[Celtic Rose]

Google search for round christmas tree lights, scan through the results, and voila

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07194329000P?mv=rr&i_cntr=1291302408168

Really not that difficult.

[BEG]

Google search for round christmas tree lights, scan through the results, and voila

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07194329000P?mv=rr&i_cntr=1291302408168

Really not that difficult.

Our neighbor put up Christmas lights yesterday and I think he used those type of Christmas lights. They aren't bright at all. They look like the solar lights that people use in their front yard to light a pathway.

[njpines]

Of course, when franksolich was a little lad, electric Christmas tree lights were made in New Jersey, not in third-world countries.

Thank you, frank, for not making the obvious joke that NJ IS a third world country!    (I probably would have!)

I bought some bubble lights too a couple of years ago from a mail order company -- either Walter Drake or a similar company.

I think the lights the DUmmie wants are these and she can find them at any Home Depot or Lowes or Target, etc:

[franksolich]

Thank you, frank, for not making the obvious joke that NJ IS a third world country!    (I probably would have!)

Bayonne, New Jersey, which used to lead the whole world in the manufacture of electric Christmas tree lights, is the birthplace of our esteemed colleague from our old home, SarasotaRepub.

There ain't no way I'm going to pan Bayonne.

[moko]

When you were a wee lad they were probably 32v DC . 

[thundley4]

This is what I thought of when I saw "bubble lights".

[franksolich]

This is what I thought of when I saw "bubble lights".

That's them.

I got a 132-year supply of them.  Don't want to ever run out.

Got them at thrift stores, usually for five cents apiece.

[Ballygrl]

We went out over the weekend to pick up some Christmas decorations and we didn't see anything that looks like that.

[Boudicca]

Google search for round christmas tree lights, scan through the results, and voila

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07194329000P?mv=rr&i_cntr=1291302408168

Really not that difficult.

Well, it's easy for YOU to say.  You aren't a helpless idiot.

[true_blood]

Google search for round christmas tree lights, scan through the results, and voila
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07194329000P?mv=rr&i_cntr=1291302408168
Really not that difficult.

I was going to say this. You beat me to it. 
Google is your friend when you need info on stuff like this.

[njpines]

This is what I thought of when I saw "bubble lights".

Yup -- those are the ones!     They've been around for years but are really hard to get anymore.  The DUmmie is looking for the round, LED ones that have become popular in the last couple of years which are very easy to find.  The one's I put in my original post are Philips 60 count indoor Christmas lights available at Target for 9 bucks.

[thundley4]

Yup -- those are the ones!     They've been around for years but are really hard to get anymore.  The DUmmie is looking for the round, LED ones that have become popular in the last couple of years which are very easy to find.  The one's I put in my original post are Philips 60 count indoor Christmas lights available at Target for 9 bucks.

We always wait a couple of days after Christmas to shop for lights and decorations for the next year.  They are much cheaper.

[miskie]

I bought the round multicolored ones last year too - I like them. I also have a couple dozen LED stars that change colors - they work well with the multicolored spherical lights.

Once my kids finish cleaning up their rooms, and finish disposing of broken toys, and/or donate unwanted ones Ill put the tree up.

I also dug out the melted plastic popcorn decorations from when I was a kid for the first time since any of my kids have been born. I forgot how much I liked them growing up.. I ended up buying a few more on Ebay as the home I own now has more windows than the home I grew up in. 

similar to these..



I also have a few of those vintage bubble lights, but they get awfully hot, so I don't use them often.

[franksolich]

I also have a few of those vintage bubble lights, but they get awfully hot, so I don't use them often.

I always wondered what sort of liquid's in them.

It can't be water, because water boils, and the glass tube would break.

[miskie]

My father once told me that it is denatured ether - like one of those dipping birds. the bubbling is caused by a cycle of evaporation and condensation within the sealed glass tube when heated.

I was always afraid of what would happen if a heated tube breaks, and splashes a dry tree - which is why I seldom use them. 

[BattleHymn]

Yup -- those are the ones!    They've been around for years but are really hard to get anymore.  The DUmmie is looking for the round, LED ones that have become popular in the last couple of years which are very easy to find.  The one's I put in my original post are Philips 60 count indoor Christmas lights available at Target for 9 bucks.

The spousal unit works at a place that sells bubble lights.  She says they order some every year, and they always sell out quick.  

I think they changed something on the new ones, from the old ones.  My mother has some old style ones, and they get hot.  The new ones only get as warm as your typical miniature Christmas light, no matter how long they stay on.  

How bubble lights work:

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5502136_do-bubble-lights-work.html

[miskie]

How bubble lights work:

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5502136_do-bubble-lights-work.html

Early forms of liquid in bubble lights included alcohol or ether; it could be colored based on preference. Since the late 1940s, bubble lights are now most often made with methylene chloride.

Apparently, dad was right  -- I'm sure he will be glad to know it -- Hopefully ill find a way to work it into a conversation on Christmas since we are hosting the family this year