animated christmas light
Sunday, November 29th, 2009animated christmas light
What's the best system to use to animate Christmas lights?
I'm looking to do our home with a spectacular light show this year. I would like to ideally have a chaser mode and maybe sync flashing. What is the best system to do this with? I would like to have as many zones as possible as well.
I would use LightORama too. It is pretty easy to use and set up.
Call Dan or his wife Mary and ask him about it. LOR is a great way to synchronize your lights to music.
If you haven't purchased the software to program your lights, go ahead and start now.
If this is your first year, you can get by with 16-32 channels. LOR also has a assemble your own kit (a 16PC) that you can assemble in about an hour - it will keep the cost down.
I use LOR and love it. A word of caution though: It takes a REALLY long time to program a song to lights (you can expect to take 1-2 hours per minute of music).
Most people will have about 3-5 songs so you can expect to take about 40 -120 hours to program a song.
LOR has a new software that is easier to use than their first version, but it is still very labor intensive.
I would suggest using the free download of the software to see if you can get the hang of it. That way, if you do purchase stuff, you will be ahead of the game.
Warning: They do tend to run out of stuff in Mid November-December. So if you are on the fence, go ahead and purchase now.
If you decide to sell, go to the forums and list your products there. You will recoup your investment (they will not pay much over cost).
there is a site http://www.LORSequences.com that has songs on it. IF you can't handle the sequencing, you can download a song there and modify it for your home and display. It will reduce hours off your workload, but not completely eliminate the hours.
If you do decide that you like LOR, but want to wait until next year, they have had an annual summer sale for the past few years where you will save about 10% off your purchase. Dan has a contest where you can have a chance to win your purchase for free, but you have to understand that your odds of winning are about 1 in 100 to 1000.
Good luck with your decision and be sure to post videos of your display for us to look at.
animated christmas lights With Music (Run Run Rudolph)
AND Other Fine Retailers!
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Linkable Color Changing LED RGB Ball String Christmas Xmas Lights Belt Light, 2063rgb Sale Price: $10.95  |
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Set of 50 Round Red Green Blue Color Changing Ball LED Christmas, Chanukah and Holiday lights for home and store fronts. Approx. ¾" (1.75CM) 1.5M long Power Cord. FEATURES: High quality, High efficiency, Indoor or Outdoor... |
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Thomas Kinkade Wonderland Express Animated Tabletop Christmas Tree With Train by Hawthorne Village List Price: $200.00 Sale Price: $149.99 |
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Market First Thomas Kinkade Animated Tabletop Christmas Tree with Music and Light! Rotating Santa Sleigh, Moving Trains! - As Santa and his reindeer joyously fly into the Christmas night, the Wonderland Express slowly chugs its way round and round the peaceful little village nestled amongst snow-kissed evergreen boughs... |
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Thomas Kinkade Crystal Snowman Figurine Featuring Light-Up Village And Animated Train by The Bradford Editions List Price: $99.99 Sale Price: $95.99 |
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Market First Thomas Kinkade Collectible Snowman Figurine! Exclusive Crystal Home Decor Lights Up and Features Moving Train! - When it comes to winter delights and Thomas Kinkade, what you see is what you get... |
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18" Christmas Animated Light up Santa on Tree Stump Decoration List Price: $28.00 Sale Price: $35.00 |
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This Musical Animated Santa Measures 18" Tall Arms and head move to the music Fiber Optic Strands Good for indoor use. |
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Mr. Christmas Lights and Sounds of Christmas, Outdoor List Price: $120.00 Sale Price: $139.99 |
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Create a truly magical winter wonderland by synchronizing lighted outdoor displays and festive music with Mr. Christmas' Lights and Sounds of Christmas. This easy all-in-one system offers six outlets that each power up to 1,200 miniature lights (7,200 in total) and choreographs all of them to 20 holiday songs--10 Siberian style and 10 traditional tunes... |
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20" Light up Animated Santa Claus Christmas Decor Figurine W Fiber Optic Tree Sale Price: $37.95 |
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Bring Christmas to life with this light up animated musical Santa Claus. Light Up fiber optic tree strands. |
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SET OF TWO 36" AND 30" ANIMATED PENGUIN CHRISTMAS YARD DECORATION LIGHTS Sale Price: $49.99 |
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6 Feet Gemmy Animated Lighted Airblown Polar Bear with Fishing Penguins Sale Price: $69.99 |
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Use this whimsical 71" Airblown Inflatable Illuminated Polar Bear with Two Penguins Fishing in your Holiday display and put smiles on everyone's face! Size: 71"H Polar Bear with collar helping 2 Holiday peguins catch some fish Mini-bulbs illuminate this scene Durable weather-proof nylon Self inflates in minutes Collapses quickly for easy storage Stakes and tethers included UL listed transformer included For indoor/outdoor use |
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6" High - Baby Blue - Jack Skellington Self Adhesive Vinyl Decal Sale Price: $7.99 |
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Made of Premium 6 year outdoor vinyl Brand New Easy Application Custom Decal ONLY from Loose Gear Graphics DECAL DOESN'T HAVE A BACKGROUND!!! |
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Linkable Color Changing LED RGB Ball String Christmas Xmas Lights Belt Light, 2063rgb Sale Price: $10.95 |
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Set of 50 Round Red Green Blue Color Changing Ball LED Christmas, Chanukah and Holiday lights for home and store fronts. Approx. ¾" (1.75CM) 1.5M long Power Cord. FEATURES: High quality, High efficiency, Indoor or Outdoor... |
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Thomas Kinkade Wonderland Express Animated Tabletop Christmas Tree With Train by Hawthorne Village List Price: $200.00 Sale Price: $149.99 |
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Market First Thomas Kinkade Animated Tabletop Christmas Tree with Music and Light! Rotating Santa Sleigh, Moving Trains! - As Santa and his reindeer joyously fly into the Christmas night, the Wonderland Express slowly chugs its way round and round the peaceful little village nestled amongst snow-kissed evergreen boughs... |
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Animated Christmas Tales (DVD) $58.7 Animated Christmas Tales (Dvd) |
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The Animated Christmas Collection (DVD) $20.54 This festive collection for children consists of seven animated Christmas classics. Among those featured include "The Nutcracker", "A Christmas Carol", and "The Story of Christmas". |
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Light Brown Retro Animated Christmas Village Music Box $32.99 From the Retro - Lighted Musicals CollectionItem #36438Flashback to times past with this fun and nostalgic animated music box!Vintage-style box has a quaint 3-dimensional village scene inside, accented with glitterFestive ice skating children rotate around the town Christmas treeWinds up to play the tune "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"On the top of the box, there is a vintage picture of little girl carolers and reads "Christmas Greeting"Box opens and close with hinges on back Dimensions: 3.5"H x 4"W x 4"DMaterial(s): resin/plastic Type: Decorations Color: Brown |
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PIRATE SANTA 11 FT CHRISTMAS INFLATABLE ANIMATED AND LIGHTS $400.00 |
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TABLETOP CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS BELLS MUSICAL ANIMATED MR CHRISTMAS? $14.99 |
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Pretty Animated Lighted Motion 25" Girl Christmas Figure in Red & Plaid Blonde $69.99 |
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VINTAGE 1998 MR CHRISTMAS ANIMATED SANTA LIGHTED TREE TOP TOPPER ~NIB~ EXCELLENT $29.95 |
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Mr Christmas Motion Panoramic Projector Outdoor Animated Light Show $20.00 |
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4' AIRBLOWN INFLATABLE ANIMATED MUSICAL SANTA & CHAIR LIGHTED CHRISTMAS YARD ART $89.99 |
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Lenox Holiday Village Christmas Tree Centerpiece Lighted,Musical,Animated Large $70.00 |
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54" LIGHTED & ANIMATED SNOWMAN CHRISTMAS YARD ART DECOR $134.99 |
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5' AIRBLOWN INFLATABLE ANIMATED SANTA & SNOWMAN CHRISTMAS TRAIN LIGHTED YARD ART $76.49 |
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1992 "ORIGINAL" MR CHRISTMAS ANIMATED HOLIDAY CAROUSEL ~ LIGHTS ~ MUSIC $42.95 |
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Telco Animated Christmas Motionette Santa Nice List w Lights Electric w Box $25.95 |
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ANIMATED SNOOPY LIGHTED CHRISTMAS MUSICAL PEANUTS $24.98 |
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MR. CHRISTMAS ANIMATED/ LIGHTED "HOLIDAY CAROUSEL", 21 SONGS (1992) $14.95 |
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TELCO MOTION-ette~Animated Christmas~SNOW BABY~ Fireplace & Alphabet Box~Lighted $99.99 |
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8' AIRBLOWN INFLATABLE ANIMATED SANTA IN HELICOPTER LIGHTED CHRISTMAS YARD ART $116.99 |
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Mr. Christmas Animated Musical Lighted Santa's Express Decoration $194.95 |
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NEW 6' Lighted Animated Jack in the Box Christmas Airblown Inflatable Blow-up $169.99 |
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5-Ft._Musical_Animated_ Lighted_ Snowman Airblown with Waving Arm _Christmas Out $124.99 |
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ANIMATED LIGHTED LIFE SIZE CHRISTMAS MAIL BOX OUTDOOR $149.98 |
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Jingle Bells Musical Lights Animated Singing Song Xmas Holiday Elf Hat Santa New $45.00 |
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Have A Holly Jolly Christmas Musical Lights Animated Singing Song Elf Hat Santa $45.00 |
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Christmas Holiday Non Animated Figure Resin Snowman Lights up Plugs In Winter $9.99 |
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MR. CHRISTMAS ADVENT HOUSE MUSICAL ANIMATED LIGHTED CHRISTMAS COUNT DOWN $49.99 |
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CHRISTMAS MISTLETOE MAGIC ANIMATED/ MUSICAL/LIGHTED -PLAYS "SANTA CLAUS IS COMI" $14.99 |
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VINTAGE CHRISTMAS 16"CAROUSEL MERRY GO ROUND MUSICAL/ANIMATED/LIGHTED . 16" $37.99 |
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NEW 5 FOOT AIRBLOWN ANIMATED LIGHTS CHRISTMAS TREE INFLATABLE OUTDOOR YARD DECOR $94.99 |
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Lighted Animated Christmas Angel Doll 24" $99.00 |
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Christmas Animated Musical Plush Coca Cola Bear with Light $19.99 |
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Mr. Christmas 1993 Mickey's Clock Shop Animated Musical Lights in Box $99.99 |
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Mr. Christmas Animated Bell Tower Lights Music New in Box $29.99 |
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ANIMATED CHRISTMAS ANGEL CASSETTE PLAYER LIGHTS NARRATES Story First Christmas $125.99 |
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CHRISTMAS ANIMATED STOCKING LIGHTS UP AND SINGING CAT WE WISH YOU A MERRY $12.99 |
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Mr. Christmas Animated Musical Chime Clock Lights Train PLAYS 70 SONGS $69.99 |
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Mr. Christmas Animated Musical Chime Clock w Lights SKATERS Plays 70 Songs $119.99 |
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Merrymakers Animated Girl with Lighted Candle Christmas Figurine Angel $34.99 |
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Mr Christmas Holiday Carousel Horses 1992 Musical/Lights Animated $39.99 |
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rARE CHRISTMAS Gemmy Animated LightED Musical Frosty Snowman NOT MISER $85.00 |
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ANIMATED LIGHT-UP COWBOY SANTA CHRISTMAS OUTDOOR DECOR DISPLAY $79.00 |
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ANIMATED LIGHT UP SNOWMAN IN BUMBER CAR CHRISTMAS OUTDOOR DECOR DISPLAY $79.00 |
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GEMMY animated Christmas tree inflatable. 5ft. Turns and lights. NEW. Complete. $36.89 |
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MR. CHRISTMAS HEIRLOOM LIGHTED ANIMATED MUSIC BOX TREE $23.99 |
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Christmas Yard Decor ANIMATED LIGHT SANTA CLAUS Moving ARMS Bell Candy Cane NIB $40.00 |
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ANIMATED CHRISTMAS MUSICAL LAMBBY NOSE LIGHTS UP AND SQUEEZE FOOT TO PLAY MUSIC $24.95 |
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Christmas Holiday Creations Animated Lighted Angel $49.90 |
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Vtg ANIMATED Lighted MOTIONETTE Victorian Girl 25" Xmas Holiday Figurine $29.99 |
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Vntg*Super RARE* Santa in Sleigh MOTIONETTE Lighted ANIMATED Xmas Holiday Decor $125.00 |
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NEW 6' Lighted Animated Reindeer Helping Santa Christmas Airblown Inflatable $149.99 |
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NEW 6' Lighted Animated Snoopy & Charlie Brown Christmas Airblown Inflatable $189.99 |
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New 6' Giant Lighted Animated Rotating Christmas Carousel Airblown Inflatable $189.99 |
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Very Nice 6' Lighted Animated Christmas Airblown Inflatable w/sound & Animation $239.99 |
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Mr.Christmas MERRY-GO-ROUND/Carousel Lighted Animated Musical Holiday 12"x12" $74.99 |
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New 8' Lighted Animated Mickey Mouse Christmas Airblown Inflatable Blow-up $139.99 |
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CHRISTMAS LIGHTED LED ANIMATED "SPILLED MILK GAME" VICTORIA FALLS NEW $15.95 |
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CERAMIC CHRISTMAS TREE & MR.& MRS SANTA CLAUSE ANIMATED MUSICAL & 33 LIGHTS-MINT $39.99 |
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telco motion -ette animated christmas santa claus iron lights up and arms move $59.99 |
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China Makes Christmas for Rest of World
China is the world’s biggest manufacturer of Christmas products. China exports nearly 2 billion US dollars worth of Christmas products per year with more than half going to the United States. Most of it comes from Shenzhen in South China’s Guangdong province.There are over 3,000 factories in Shenzhen producing artificial Christmas trees. Christmas lights, ornaments and Christmas wreaths are also made here. These items are all made from plastic and metals.
Shenzhen is on the coast about an hours drive from Hong Kong. Before 1985, most of these products were mass produced in Taiwan and Hong Kong where the labor was cheap and ports were easily accessible. Taiwan and Hong Kong were not under the strict communist rule of China. By 1985, Taiwan and Hong Kong had developed into huge exporters and their local labor costs had increased. They started looking for a place nearby to ship materials to for assembly by cheaper workers. At the same time China was moving away from communism and setting up special economic zones. These zones welcomed foreign investment and industrial parks were setup to attract them. Consequently, Hong Kong and Taiwanese companies started producing Christmas products in Shenzhen. The growth in exports from Shenzhen over the last 20 years has been huge. About 80% of the factories are owned by Hong Kong companies and the other 20% by companies from Taiwan.
Worker conditions in these factories are poor. The workers toil 12 hours a day six to seven days a week for a monthly salary of $100 to $125. The floors are concrete and little money has been invested into proper work tables, work table height, etc. Many workers are available as they come in from the provinces where they farmed for much less.
Most of these artificial Christmas trees and Christmas wreaths are made from metals and plastics. The plastic material used predominantly is PVC – polyvinyl chloride. When PVC is manufactured it creates and disperses dioxin into the environment which is one of the most toxic man made chemicals. Dioxins enter the food chain through air or water and accumulate in fatty tissues of animals and humans where they can cause cancer, damage the immune system and impair children’s development. Also PVC is often stabilized with lead which is a carcinogen and also associated with neurological damage. Lead is used in PVC because it makes the plastic more flexible which is beneficial in the wires and cords. It is also used to stabilize the color. Over time the lead in the PVC product can disintegrate into lead laced dust.
Most people purchase artificial Christmas trees and wreaths because they make less mess, they’re cheaper over time and convenient. Consumers should be aware of the dangers of the materials used in these products and the environmental damage done when these materials are manufactured as well as the conditions of the workers producing them. Purchasing fresh Maine balsam fir Christmas wreaths is the environmentally friendly choice and it sure smells a lot better than plastic too.
About the Author
Lynn Jebbia is the owner of Acadia Wreath Company. Acadia Wreath Company, based in Bar Harbor, Maine, handcrafts fresh Maine balsam fir Christmas wreaths, Christmas Centerpieces and Kissing Balls which are shipped directly to customers and corporate clients throughout the United States.