Christmas Light

Christmas marks the solstice, the changing of the season and the lengthening of the days.

It can be a time to enjoy the darkness as well as the light.

Beautiful displays of light have been an integral part of the season and of many childhood memories. We have moved on from some simple candles on Christmas trees to extravagant displays on house exteriors, not to mention the civic displays and son et lumière events on stately homes.

But at what cost to the planet? How much energy are we really using? What’s the risk of fire or the release of carcinogens and other toxins? Can we reduce the health and environmental impacts of light at Christmas?

Here are a few ideas for different ways of appreciating darkness and light this winter:

  • Enjoy the light in the natural world - we have some spectacular sunrises and sunsets at this time of year - and without having to get up early or stay up late to enjoy them!

  • Go out in the moonlight! November 30th is the full moon. Perhaps go for a walk by some open water and appreciate the beauty of the moonlight as far away from artificial lights as you can manage!

  • Go out in the starlight! For this you will be better to avoid the full moon, but even near the centre of Cambridge there are open spaces where you can get a good view of the stars on a clear night.


  • Have a cosy evening at home without electric lights. Light some candles, gather round the fire if you have one, wrap up warm and imagine a fire if you don’t(!), and tell stories, talk or listen to music.

  • Here is a lovely article about celebrating darkness at this time of year http://www.jeanettewinterson.com/journalism/why-i-adore-the-night/

Light pollution is a growing environmental problem - some ecologists consider it as significant as climate change in the disruption of the natural world. Choosing low energy lighting may reduce our carbon emissions but it doesn’t reduce the light pollution - reducing the amount of light we produce is the only answer to this https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/02/treat-artificial-light-form-pollution-environment?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&fbclid=IwAR32kQCUTLK6rHVB1r-5_xn-EIXgucGdf_uPdQIjFlFGB0gz42xJi6-i_ho

Thousands of moths swarm around floodlights. Artificial light at night can affect every aspect of insects’ lives.
Photograph: The Guardian Simone De Peak/Getty Images

So go for less light! Maybe just some lights on the Christmas tree (that’s a whole different question which we'll come back to!) and some candles on the table.

Yes, choose low energy lights and use a timer but remember – don’t be tempted to think that because they are so much more environmentally friendly and there are so many exciting choices that you can have more and more lights both inside and out! Even the solar powered outdoor lights are having impacts on the environment – the chemicals used in their manufacture, the impact on wildlife, and how they are disposed of at the end of their useful life..

You might not know that for some people the proliferation of Christmas lights is a particular problem. For some people, the newer forms of low-energy lighting such as LEDs and compact fluorescent tubes can cause pain and ill health with symptoms including eye pain, headaches and migraines, skin rashes, burning, dizziness and nausea.

The spread of new lighting has resulted in the social exclusion of light-sensitive people, who are unable to access many places of employment, recreation, worship, education and health.

Winter is already a difficult time for people who can only go out in daylight, and this year people are putting up Christmas lights early with the best intentions of spreading some good cheer, but unaware that bright, flashing, LED Christmas lights may cause pain and misery for their light-sensitive neighbours. Find out more at https://lightaware.org/

Finally a quick word about candles. Look for Natural Candles

Did you know that most candles are made from paraffin, a non-renewable, petroleum-based substance? When burned, paraffin candles also release carcinogens into the air, including acetaldehyde, acrolein, benzene, formaldehyde, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and toluene.

But all is not lost. Natural candles made from soy or other vegetable waxes are available. They are toxin-free and actually burn longer than their conventional counterparts. Also look for candles with wooden or cotton wicks to avoid the dangerous concentrations of lead and zinc found in conventional candles..

And the good news is that here is a company in Cambridge where you can get them! The Cambridge Candle Company based in Girton supplies hand poured soy candles now available or made to order in any size.