Holiday decorating with bubble lights...

Susan Louise · ‎03-14-2010

The more I see them the more I get drawn to them...

Anyone here use them?

Catty2 · ‎09-06-2014

My grandparents always had bubble lights on their tree. This is many, many years ago but I loved looking at them.

GSPgirl · ‎01-03-2012

We had them in the 60’s and I loved sitting by the tree watching them bubble away. They stopped making them, I think, because they got very hot. I always thought they were made with oil in them.

ladycos · ‎09-04-2017

@Susan Louise

They bring back wonderful childhood memories. I used to set and watch them for hours. Yes they did get hot back then.

If I had a set now I would use them in some aspect,on garland or on the tree. You have me thinking about them now so I just might have to find some.

Venezia · ‎03-09-2010

@GSPgirl wrote:
We had them in the 60’s and I loved sitting by the tree watching them bubble away. They stopped making them, I think, because they got very hot. I always thought they were made with oil in them.

Bubble lights (or bubblers, as we called them) are still made. I have two sets that I bought just a few years ago. I don't decorate as much as I used to (four cats wreak havoc), so I've never used them, but this thead has reminded me to get them out this year! I loved watching them when I was younger.

"" A little learning is a dangerous thing."-Alexander Pope

Susan Louise · ‎03-14-2010

@GSPgirl wrote:
We had them in the 60’s and I loved sitting by the tree watching them bubble away. They stopped making them, I think, because they got very hot. I always thought they were made with oil in them.

@GSPgirl Believe it or not, they still make the bubble lights now

There are a lot of vintage bubbler light sets available on Ebay, but I wouldn't string those on the tree with old wiring even if new bubbler bulbs were replaced.

The general rule of thumb for old light sets that still work is to stop using it when you can bend the cord and the plastic coating cracks or has already started cracking. That is the time to toss them out and buy new to avoid a fire.

As for the new 'retro' bubbler sets, they look just like the old sets, which is great. Additionally I had seen some other versions that the bubbler lights have glitter in them.

There is a gif video at NoveltyLights dot com. Put in the search bar there: "Traditional Clear Bubble Light Set With Silver Glitter"

Susan Louise · ‎03-14-2010

@ladycos wrote:
@Susan Louise
They bring back wonderful childhood memories. I used to set and watch them for hours. Yes they did get hot back then.

If I had a set now I would use them in some aspect,on garland or on the tree. You have me thinking about them now so I just might have to find some.

@ladycos I'm seriously considering the bubbler light set I mentioned in my last post for our smaller tree. Other options I have been thinking about are those bubbler hurricane lamps from the 60's/70's...

What makes these nice is that the bubbler bulbs are easily replaceable if they stop working. There are a few of these vintage hurricane lamps on Ebay I put on my 'watch' list...LOL

I've also seen some of these lamps with the flicker bulbs in them too, so it's good to know either type of lightbulb will fit into the light fixture if one wants to change the look

Susan Louise · ‎03-14-2010

@Venezia wrote:
@GSPgirl wrote:
We had them in the 60’s and I loved sitting by the tree watching them bubble away. They stopped making them, I think, because they got very hot. I always thought they were made with oil in them.
Bubble lights (or bubblers, as we called them) are still made. I have two sets that I bought just a few years ago. I don't decorate as much as I used to (four cats wreak havoc), so I've never used them, but this thead has reminded me to get them out this year! I loved watching them when I was younger.

@Venezia Please post a pic if you use them!

ladycos · ‎09-04-2017

@Susan Louise
Ahh, I’ve not ever saw the lamps before. What a cute idea.
I’m doing a little vintage look on my fire place and was just thinking of using a set there. Hopefully I can pick up a set today and experiment some. Fun fun!!

Regal Bee · ‎07-20-2017

My husband loves bubble lights and actually designed a metal tree with all bubble lights many years ago. It is still in our attic. I may have him take it out this year.....I forgot all about it.