Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want TWINKLING lights not BLINKING lights

86 replies

HopelessLayout · 09/12/2019 13:45

After falling for yet another completely misleading product description, I am now in possession of my fifth string of awful blinking and flashing fairy lights!

I want the type I used to see everywhere at Christmastime in the 1990s, where the bulbs would very slowly wink on and off in completely random order, almost like fireflies.

Does anyone else remember these or am I going mad? And if the former, can you tell me where to purchase these, please?

OP posts:
Foobanana · 10/12/2019 00:38

I FOUND THEM! but they're only available in america, sorry Sad

Original poster
HopelessLayout · 10/12/2019 13:48

@Foobanana where? If they are what I am looking for then I'll buy a transformer!

OP posts:
Original poster
HopelessLayout · 10/12/2019 13:51

I went for static ones eventually as all the rest were never the same!

That's what I've had to do with all my (misnamed) "twinkle" lights, but I'm getting obsessed now.

Mandela effect

I had to look this up! But I don't think it's that—too many on this thread know exactly what I'm talking about.

OP posts:
ethelredonagoodday · 10/12/2019 13:54

Totally agree op, most of the settings are enough to give me a headache. I either end up going for 'steady on' (which being from the north, makes me chuckle), or slow fade...

Henhophouse · 10/12/2019 13:54

Omg I was talking to my husband about this yesterday as I cycled through the myriad options of flashing settings on our lights!

I don’t want flashing or half on half off - I want ONE OR TWO gently twinkling lights at a time. Twinkling! Not flashing!

MrsGideon · 10/12/2019 14:03

Oh my god I have found my people. I was just saying this to my parents the other night - they still have a lovely set from the 90s that twinkles beautifully and randomly like flickering candlelight but I can't find anything similar anywhere!

Following with interest to see if anyone comes up with anything. Bit reticent to buy the Festive firefly ones without seeing the 'twinkling' setting in action first...

MrsGideon · 10/12/2019 14:04

Nope. Just found this review at the bottom of the page:

"Because they are cluster lights on 10 metres of cable, the result is a rope-like look rather than the lights spreading out more uniformly on our 4 ft pencil shaped tree. At the time of purchasing, I believed that the lights would twinkle. In fact, they only flash in unison, faster and slower flashing are the only options other than static. Even so, I still like the look of these lights on our tree."

Original poster
HopelessLayout · 10/12/2019 14:11

I've just checked out a video of the "Twinkly" from Festive Lights, which gave me a headache. However, they claim they are programmable, so perhaps those with the correct type of devices/skills would be able to make it achieve the effect we are seeking.

OP posts:
Original poster
HopelessLayout · 10/12/2019 14:14

@MrsGideon You can see the Firefly lights in action here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-wAee3Ia18
These ones are nice, I think, but not what we are looking for.

OP posts:
Dubbadubbadumdum · 10/12/2019 15:13

I bought a set of Jingles LED cluster lights last year that have a twinkle setting on them. The set I bought can change from white to multicolour, flash, static, chasing, or twinkle, and can be joined with another set to make one huge chain. I was sorry I didn't buy an extra set last year, so I'll be going back to the builders providers I found them in to see if they have them in stock again!

Omashu · 10/12/2019 15:19

@HopelessLayout we got some lovely twinkling lights from dunelm and I love them!

AlrightyyThen · 10/12/2019 15:22

YANBU my family had these is the 90's when i was young and they're the only ones i like, and that don't affect my autism (others cause overload)

Following with fingers crossed that someone will find a link to some!

Omashu · 10/12/2019 15:26

The link above will take you to the ones we got. The lights alternate and twinkle once you’ve pressed the button once. The twinkling does change speed but not in an aggressive way like others day! It’s very soft and subtle.

cjt110 · 10/12/2019 15:55

I think you are suffering from the Mandela effect and they never actually existed.

Ninkanink · 10/12/2019 16:07

@Omashu please would you post a short video of the lights?

AlrightyyThen · 10/12/2019 16:16

I don't think it's Mandela, ours were warm white in colour on dark green wire with a box on the end where you pressed a button repeatedly to change the setting and could also choose to play xmas songs too. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Grin

Omashu · 10/12/2019 16:19

@Ninkanink I’ve tried but I think I can only post photos Sad

headlock · 10/12/2019 16:21

I've got two sets on lights on our tree that are set to static, I hate the flashing too. I've also got a set of coloured lights that are set to flash. They're very small and the light from them isn't too in your face. They're quite subtle.

Ninkanink · 10/12/2019 16:23

Ah never mind, thanks for trying anyway! Xmas Smile

jessycake · 10/12/2019 16:34

I remember those and haven't seen them for ages , perhaps LEDs can't have that effect . Wanted them too , mine do have a slow fade but its nothing like the old ones.

WhentheRabbitsWentWild · 10/12/2019 16:43

I know the ones you mean OP

Two years ago I bought myself a set from Wilko that has 7 settings .

The lights you want are included in them

Original poster
HopelessLayout · 10/12/2019 16:44

@Dubbadubbadumdum any chance of a video?

@Omashu If you have a Google account it's quite easy to post a video to YouTube if you'd be willing.

OP posts:
WhentheRabbitsWentWild · 10/12/2019 16:44

It also has that fast fast setting Never use it ,

I am not autistic nor do I have epilepsy but they give me a headache that type .

Original poster
HopelessLayout · 10/12/2019 16:49

@ WhentheRabbitsWentWild Is it these ones? They have 8 settings.
www.wilko.com/wilko-300-white-multifunctional-led-christmas-lights-with-green-cable/p/0473097

OP posts: