Green and Gorgeous: Efficient Holiday Lights

Emerald Green LED Strawberry Lights

Want to save money, energy and the planet, while still lighting up the house for the holidays? Consider strings of light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, which use a fraction of the energy of conventional light bulbs (up to about 15% currently). Based on semiconductors, they're also cool to the touch and extremely durable.

Where to get these fabulous LED lights? Many e-stores carry them, or check with your local hardware store. You can also pick them up at most Home Depot, Lowe's, Target and Big Lots locations.

But what to do with your old incandescent Christmas lights, you ask? Recycle them! HolidayLeds.com, makers of the gorgeous green lights above, will take back your retired strands. The first 100 participants will receive one free set of LED lights, and the next 100 will receive a 10% coupon.

Blue Star LED Lights

Starlight starbright, who could resist these beautiful stars at night? For eye-catching star LED lights visit Inigree Innovative Energy Solutions.

LED Mini Pearl Cone Lights

Help Santa find his way to your house. Deck your eaves, windows and shrubbery with multi-colored LED Pearl Lights from 1000Bulbs.com, and Rudolph will have no trouble finding your rooftop this year. Just don't forget the organic milk and cookies!

Icicle String LED Lights

LEDs now come in a plethora of shapes, styles and colors, from icicles (these from EnvironmentalLights.com) to snowflakes. They're safe and save you money. Now that's a bright idea!

LED Ball String Lights

Deck the halls without fear this year. Sealed LED string lights like these from 1000Bulbs.com produce almost no heat, which presents a greatly reduced risk of fire hazard over traditional incandescent strands. Safe to touch, with minimal risk of electrical fire and no glass to shatter, these lights are perfect for families with young children and wily pets.

LED Icicle Light Set

Cast away winter darkness, and illuminate nature's coolest creations, with this great set of icicle LEDs from Home Depot. They will be around much longer than the real icicles hanging on your back porch.

LED Snowflake Light Set

The elegant snowflake pattern is recognized throughout the world as a symbol of balance, beauty and grace. Hopefully this LED Snowflake Light Set from Home Depot will become a symbol of energy efficiency.

LED Color-Changing Bulbs

Add a multi-colorful glow to any room with this LED from GreenHome.com. The bulb slowly changes color from red to blue to green -- in light of all your holiday moods.

White Raspberry LED Lights

For a glow as smooth as a warm eggnog try HolidayLeds.com's pure white lights.

Multi-Color LED Cones

Give yourself a gift this holiday season. LEDs such as these LED Cone String Lights from 1000Bulbs.com will save you enough money in electricity costs that the lights will pay for themselves in a matter of months. Isn't giving nice?

Multi-Colored LEDs

Wondering what the science is . . . LED lights are illuminated solely by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material. Now that's bright technology!

Blue Icicles

For an icy look that's super cool try LED Icicles from Betty's Christmas House. Hang indoors and you'll impress your relatives with an energy efficient winter wonderland.

Pewter LED Candle

Individual candles, such as this LED, battery-operated number (available at Lowe's), look great perched on mantle pieces or frost-covered window sills. Pair with greenery for a festive motiff or simply illuminate a dark corner. Either way, the LED's realistic flickering flame will bring warmth to any room.

LED Pillar Candle

If you love candlelight, but can't stand soot, smoke and the higher probability of lighting your house on fire, then try LED Pillar Candles from 1000Bulbs.com. With electronic wicks that flinch and flicker as if they're truly ablaze, you won't notice your candles are just LEDs powered by rechargeable batteries. You will, however, notice significant energy and money savings.

Sapphire Blue LED Strawberry Light

Holidays have you feeling strained and stressed out? Calming Sapphire Blue LED Strawberry Lights from HolidayLeds.com will soften any room to give you some much-needed peace on Earth.