About a century ago lights on Christmas trees were provided by small candles inserted into special clip-on or clamp-on holders, Use of these candles was rather dangerous and they were lighted for just short periods of time.

Using electric light bulbs for decorating Christmas trees eventually became a logical option. And this gives me a chance to say that electric lights on a Christmas tree have been a part of life in Albert Lea for at least 88 years.

I found proof for this statement on page 5 of the Dec. 23, 1914, issue of the Freeborn County Standard weekly newspaper. This was the third year for Albert Lea’s municipal Christmas tree, reportedly the first one in the nation, at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and William Street. The Standard’s article said this tree was &uot;trimmed with gold and silver tinsel and a myriad of electric lights.&uot;

Those electric lights on the city’s municipal tree may have been just ordinary light bulbs. Then someone came up with the idea of using color bulbs. The next innovation was to use strings of multiple bulbs in two smaller sizes (C7 and C9) with screw-in bases. Still another innovation was to make Christmas tree bulbs in various shapes like Santas, birds, bells and other seasonal designs. These Christmas lights are now rather rare in this age of miniature bulbs.

What has to be the oddest of the older Christmas tree lights was the one with a bulb on the bottom and a tiny metal propeller, whirligig or whatever on top. The heat from the bulb was supposed to rise and cause the propeller to whirl. My memory says these particular bulbs had to be mounted on the tree just right or they didn’t quite work as intended.

About a decade ago I stopped at an antique store in the Mankato area. In among the clutter of odds and ends was a small box containing old Christmas tree bulbs. One of these small bulbs was in the shape and coloration of a bluebird. Another resembled a cardinal.

I looked for the price of these really unusual bulbs. Several tags in the box said the bulbs were worth $18 each. For that amount one could purchase two or three long strings of colored lights for indoor or outdoor display.

I asked the owner of this emporium of old treasures and/or discarded junk if the bulbs would light up.

Her reply was, &uot;Are you kidding? They’re older than old. Those are real collector’s items.&uot;

Then I asked if the price of $18 was really valid. The owner’s reply was a blunt, &uot;What you see is what you pay. We don’t bargain here.&uot;

Needless to say, I quickly left this no-sale store.

To close off this very seasonal column, I’d like to suggest that the readers do two things.

First, go to the stores to see the amazing array of Christmas lights now available for sale. There are 100-lite super spheres, fancy little Santas (10 in the string), garlands, rope lights, and something called candoliers.

Then, like a revival of the older bulbs, there are more modern Christmas lights in various shapes and designs. I saw snowmen, Harley-Davidson bulbs, strings of tiny John Deere tractors (this firm sure likes to promote its brand in so many odd ways), and even miniature reindeer.

One of the most popular seasonal lights we’re seeing all over the countryside the past few years is the icicle. And the way these lights hang off the eaves certainly justifies the name. The dictionary definition of an icicle, incidentally, is &uot;a hanging, tapering mass of ice formed by the freezing of water.&uot; Come to think of it that would be hard water.

Second, ’tis the season to observe and enjoy all the Christmas lights, both old and new, on and in the area’s homes and businesses.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Tribune feature writer Ed Shannon’s column appears Fridays in the Tribune.