145 Years Ago Today, Christmas Became Brighter with The Birth of Christmas Lights

As we wander through Formby at Christmas, admiring the twinkling displays in shop windows, the sparkling homes, and the beautiful lights strung across our village, it’s easy to forget just how magical – and historic – these little bulbs really are.

Because the tradition we all love today began exactly 145 years ago, on 5th December 1880.

Back in the late 19th century, homes were still lit by candles. Christmas trees were decorated with open flames, clipped carefully onto branches — beautiful, but dangerous. But in America, a young inventor named Edward H. Johnson, a close colleague and friend of Thomas Edison, had a bright idea that would change Christmas forever.

On that cold December evening in 1880, Johnson hand-wired 80 tiny red, white and blue incandescent bulbs, strung them together, and wrapped them around his Christmas tree. When he switched them on, the tree glowed with coloured light — something the world had never seen before.

Guests were stunned. Newspapers called it “a marvel of the age.” And without realising it, Johnson had started a tradition that would one day stretch across continents, bringing warmth and wonder to millions every Christmas.

Of course, those very first Christmas lights were a luxury. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that businesses began putting lights in their windows, and only after World War II did they become affordable enough for ordinary families to enjoy.

By the 1950s and 60s, streets all over Britain were shimmering with festive colour — a symbol of hope, community and celebration. Little by little, towns like our own embraced the magic, making Christmas light switch-ons a cherished annual tradition.

And here in Formby, our Christmas lights have become more than just decorations. They’re a sign of all the things we love about this village: togetherness, community spirit, and a shared joy that makes this time of year feel truly special.

So next time you’re strolling through the village, take a moment to look up at those glowing lights dancing in the winter sky. Their story began on 5th December 1880, with one inventive mind and a string of tiny bulbs…

…and today they continue to shine, lighting up our homes, our streets, and our hearts every Christmas.

✨ Merry Christmas from Formby Bubble – where the magic truly begins.