Mini-rant: Christmas lights and the cost of replacement bulbs!!!

[MobileDad]

A couple of years ago I decided to buy a couple of sets of Konstsmide fairy lights which weren't cheap but upon inspection this year quite a few of the bulbs are gone and of course all my local shops don't actually stock bulbs. I can buy them on the internet for £5 for 5 bulbs!!!!!! when a new set of 100 lights from Tesco only costs £5.97 WTH!!! Why should I bother trying to prevent wastage when it is cheaper just to get a new set each year!!! ARGH

Thanks - venting helped.

LED lights are the way ahead. Had a fairy light nightmare last year - wouldn't ever go back to bulb ones.

We did have 288 bright LED from Premier but they all went last year. I also found them to be pretty poor in comparison.

I just replaced 6 bulbs, I have 18 more requiring new bulbs which costs £20 so it really is cheaper to just buy an additional set.

I'm never sure how many lights are needed for a tree, but I do like quite a lot and tend not to switch on all sets if the mood takes me.

I suppose it depends if you feel they are lovely enough to replace the bulbs.
What was it that made you decide on these lights?
Would be a shame to just discard them?
For £5 you can fall in love with them all over again

Oooh, not £5 then.

I'm going to put them on the tree without replacing the 18, which from that set gives me 182 lights, will then find a cheap set tomorrow for another 150 or so for around £10 to £15 quid and thus pocket the difference.

I'm just so annoyed that you can't easily get spares AND at a good price.

Throwaway culture. I'm afraid for this reason I've gone for LED too. Guess they'll fail at some point and then it will be yet another set. Sigh!