BROKE IN TWEED

Dear Chey,

I want to have a nice bright Christmas tree with bright lights in the dark evenings but I don’t want the usual fairy lights. 

Can you help me out?

-Unhappyapricot

—-

Dear Unhappyapricot, 

You and I both. I think fairy lights are great. They are affordable and the warm glow is unlike anything. However, we’re due an evolution because the clear (but not transparent) jelly LEDs don’t cut it for me. 

Luckily for us, there are LED options that feel more authentic and maintain that warm glow. 

You can now get battery powered candles (stick with me here) that are remote controlled. No more walking up to switch off every single candle or LED battery switch (because finding it in a dark room can be surprisingly difficult). I’m personally doing this with my Christmas tree and have found that 20 cost just £23.99 but light up my entire 7ft tree. They have clips to attach to the tree that are adjustable so they stand up straight regardless. 

Another DIY hack that I love is putting mini LED tea lights in clear (glass or Perspex) fillable baubles. It’s adorable and easy to do. 

If you want something minimalist or the light to emanate from a specific point, you could completely forgo the lights and top the tree with an LED star (because the star is exactly what the lights are trying to emulate). 

Don’t give up on fairy lights entirely. 

Earlier this year, I interviewed the founder of Sparkle lighting and thought that the brand’s starburst fairy lights were unlike anything I’d seen. Now, the style is available in most stores (I recently saw them in my local Tesco) and they have more spark to them (pun intended) than the traditional string of lights. 

I think copper fairy lights are the way to go because unlike their green and clear plastic rivals, they are far more malleable and can be moulded into shapes (if you have the skill). They don’t pretend to be invisible but they play on our love of antique metal hardwares. Because whether you like brass or gunmetal, copper will go with anything and have allow you to have a home that feels natural. 

-Chey