The pros and cons of Christmas lights

Over this weekend, we have put up our Christmas decorations. I know it's only November still, but the town is having the Christmas lights switch on this coming Friday, and as we live in the town centre, we try to have our lights up by that time.
I experience a strange mix of enthusiasm and guilt, because, when I casually go to the local shop to buy a new string of fairy lights (which I seem to do every year!), it reminds me of what a wasteful, throw-away nation we are. Fairy lights are designed to break- of that I am absolutely sure.
That is why every light string you buy has a different shaped bulb holder, just so that when you have used the four spare bulbs, there is no chance that some you rescued from a now defunct set will be any use. I have a pot with about 60 mini light bulbs which have been accumulated over the years, When we found a dud bulb in a string, not one of those bulbs was suitable.
The reuslt is that when you use all the spares, you simply throw the whole lot away, wire, plug, bulb holders and all and buy a new set. (Good for the manufacturer's business!)
And this is only one aspect of the chronic waste that occurs at this time of year. I make a strenuous effort every year to stop my husband buying crackers, but every year I fail. "It's tradition!" he cries.

Anyway, I have put up lights in every window facing onto the street and it looks lovely. Now comes the second guilty feeling about the amount of energy the lights will use, even though some are low energy. And they have probably been made it China and travelled thousands of miles to my house.

There is no doubt that living beyond our environmental means is so ingrained in our lives, that even when you are aware of it and try to reduce your wastefulness, it is easier said than done!