Proper old fashioned twinkling lights

[MistyGreenAndBlue]

Has anybody come up with a decent version of these or brought the old style ones back yet?

I have several sets of the festive brand firefly lights as the closest modern equivalent but, lovely as they are, I want the old style really.

The firefly ones are a very yellow/amber shade which I'm less keen on than a regular warm white/clear. It makes my sitting room look an odd colour. Plus you need over a thousand of them to light an 8ft tree because they are set so close together on the wire which makes the tree blindingly bright.

Other LEDs that CLAIM to twinkle do no such thing. The one setting that comes close starts off with an acceptable twinkle but then veers off into a seizure inducing disco flash. Ugh!

Someone needs to bring back proper twinkling lights please? I'd accept them in incandescent bulb format. Actually, I'd probably prefer this.
You can still buy the old style clear incandescent fairy lights in static but apparently not the twinkling kind.

Has anybody got any idea if these exist yet or do I have to resort to scouring eBay for vintage sets?

Tbh I think the 8 functions are there partly because that's how all Christmas lights are made now and partly because marketing - and then you only ever use one because the others look like there's a rave in your Christmas tree.

We have used the slow fade occasionally, and the twinkle actually. Middle child likes the rave 😂

But what I meant was can’t the OP use the 8 functions, but pick the twinkle.

Because the twinkle isn't twinkle. It's twinkle/flash. Which is what she said, and the whole point of the thread 🙈

Because there never is a proper twinkle setting on those lights. Only awful disco flashing or irritating slow fades.

Yes thank you. You said it better than me 👍🏼😁

Just ordered a set of these. 🤞🏻😬
Thank you

My mistake then. It sounded from this “The one setting that comes close starts off with an acceptable twinkle but then veers off into a seizure inducing disco flash.” that she was in the multi mode and not using the twinkly mode.

Ah I see. Yes I could have been clearer. I meant the twinkle mode isn't just a twinkle. Unfortunately.

Always annoyed me as it's clear that the twinkle CAN be done but it's always twinkle/flash that you get and it's awful.

These sound like just the thing I am looking for (Lumineo) Can I ask what size tree you will be putting them on? Mine is 7ft and trying to work out if they would be ok. I also noticed they do a coloured version and am tempted by those.

Ahhh @MistyGreenAndBlue this is a thread that comes up pretty much every year!

If people weren’t around ‘back then’ (oh the joys of being of a certain vintage...)they won’t understand - they won’t ever have seen old school twinkling lights with that proper gentle twinkle!

Someone explained (IIRC) that it has to do with the way lights are constructed now or different lightbulbs/circuit or something like that, and the twinkle that we think of can’t be replicated exactly with modern lights.

If you love the set you’ve bought will you let us know, please? I’d really like to be able to enjoy that vintage twinkle again! I figure if I have two recommendations on one thread then it might just be worth it. 🎄🎄🎄

@Juniperbeetroot I work to about 100 lights per foot if that helps at all. Some people use a lot more than that but I like to see the beauty of the tree itself as well.

I don't know who wants that mad disco flashing that all modern light seem to have as one of their settings.

I have an 8ft tree and it's pretty wide too - about 5ft around the base.
I've bought 180 lights but I think I might end up needing 2 sets. I will definitely be updating this thread with my results so I'll let you know

You'd think but I see loads round here on flash or even on the sequence setting. I always wonder if they just can't figure out how to change it. 😂

Oh absolutely. I fully intend to update this thread with my results.

I'm really quite hopeful 😬🤞🏻

It's about 7ft. I went for 180 because the other string I have is 240 but it basically ends up being a tree-shaped glare and we can't see the decorations, let alone the tree.

Also the Lumineo bulbs are bigger than the average bulb these days so I think they'd need to be spaced out. They were on the display I saw them on.

Mine just twinkle, think I got them from bnm. I hate the flashing. These have lots of modes and one is a gentle twinkle which is my favourite.

Norma

@YuletideSolace@Juniperbeetroot

Ok
So as promised - the verdict on the Lumineo Vintage lights.

The colour is right. Warm but not amber. They are bright. Brighter than genuine vintage lights tbf but all good

The shades are larger than I expected. Bigger than incandescent bulbs, but again, I like them actually and they have a pretty cut glass effect.

I was fully expecting to need another set for my 8ft tree but I think the brightness, size and spacing means 1 set of 180 may well be enough.

Now... the big question - DO THEY TWINKLE?

Answer - YES!!!

But don't take my word for it. I have uploaded a short video for you to see it for yourselves and make up your own mind

Enjoy

https://youtube.com/shorts/4rR-uC3lnHI?si=npHAwJacUHDtw5in

Edit. Sorry the quality isn't great. Original video was better but YouTube has definitely reduced the quality. Hopefully you can still get the idea

Special thank you to @ScrambledSmegs for recommending the lumineo lights. I'm dead pleased with them.

Thank you for that, they look brilliant! I’m gonna get a set for my tree.

I'm so glad you like them, @MistyGreenAndBlue! Hope you have many years of twinkly Christmas trees with them 🎄

You are most welcome. 😊👍🏼happy twinkling

Thank you 😊

They look nice. I've been on my own light hunt for years - I want retro coloured, but with PINK in them.

Edited - I think I just found them!