Decorating for the holiday season is a favorite tradition in many families, but it can also increase electricity usage and costs. This year, celebrate in style while reducing your usage with energy-efficient holiday decorating tips.

You can use these bright ideas for the festive season to help you create the perfect holiday atmosphere inside and outside your home.

1. Deck the Halls Efficiently

Love a good holiday light display? Us too! You can brighten your home without sacrificing efficiency.

• Using light-emitting diodes (LED) in your décor offers several benefits over other types of bulbs, including:
  • Energy savings: LEDs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent lights.
  • Safety: LEDs emit very little heat, reducing the risk of fires and burns. In comparison, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and incandescent bulbs release about 80% and 90% of their energy as heat, respectively.
  • Durability: Instead of glass, LEDs are made with epoxy lenses, making them much harder to break.
  • Lifespan: A strand of LED lights could last you 40 holiday seasons.
• If you live in an area that gets a lot of sun during the holiday season, try solar-powered outdoor lights. The sun charges the lights during the day, and they turn on automatically at dusk without consuming electricity from your home.

2. Time Your Shine 

Leaving your lights on too long can affect your electricity usage and bill. Let’s aim for optimized enjoyment with your energy-efficient decorations.

• Light timers have been around for decades, making it easy to put holiday lights on a schedule.
• Smart plugs and power strips are newer options that let you use your smartphone to set up custom schedules for plugged-in items.
• If you have any electronic decorations not on a timer, unplug them when they aren’t in use to avoid phantom power. The wasted electricity from items in standby mode can account for up to 10% of your home’s electricity usage.
• Limit your lighting displays to “peak hours” — specific evening hours when you and your family can enjoy the lights without leaving them on all night.

3. Be Merry and Bright Without Lights

For energy-efficient holiday decorations, you can also skip light displays altogether.

• Nonelectric accents like garlands, wreaths and ornaments add plenty of holiday spirit without impacting your electricity bill.
• To add some glow without wattage, use reflective materials like mirrors and metallic décor to amplify existing light sources.
• If you have a fireplace, enjoy the cozy atmosphere of a fire. (Afterward, stay energy-efficient by closing the flue to prevent warm air from escaping.)

4. Trim With Pre-owned Treasures

There’s a nearly limitless marketplace of new electronic holiday décor, but opting out can help maximize your energy efficiency.

• Reuse last year’s — or last decade’s — decorations. Not only do they likely hold sentimental value, but it’s also a big plus for the environment.
• Refresh existing décor by adding a new coat of paint, rearranging items or incorporating different design accents to make older items look new.
• Trade seasonal décor with friends or family for a new-to-you atmosphere.
• Repurpose household items (think glass jars, wine bottles and baskets), and add in a touch of nature (like pinecones, twigs and evergreen boughs) to create energy-free décor.

5. Share the Spirit of Saving

Sharing is caring when it comes to maximizing energy efficiency over the holidays.

• Tell your family and friends how your energy-efficient holiday decorations can add up to big savings and a lower environmental impact.
• Organize or participate in community events focusing on energy efficiency, like a holiday rummage sale or a neighborhood-wide décor swap.