TEST DRIVE
Trying to scare up some Halloween decor
October 25, 2008
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Peggy Mackenzie
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Decorating at Halloween has exploded over the years. Torontonians aren't content to outshine their neighbours just at Christmas anymore. Drive down most streets near the end of October and you'll be spooked at the number of haunted homes.
But the stores haven't caught on in terms of lighting. The stores Test Drive visited had few options for lights. Only one store had more than two brands at the beginning of October.
The strings of lights tested didn't dazzle the testers. Some lights evoked Halloween but most seemed cheap and plastic. All of them are made in China. There are also problems with missing practical information: Why are manufacturers making us guess the length of the string of lights? Surely the length of the cord is important information and that should be posted on the outside of the box – but only Wal-Mart bothered to list it. The lengths listed are approximate since I had to measure the lights in my living room.
All the lights are for indoor use only and, since it's usually several feet from an outlet to the window or where the lights will be strung, you'll need an extension cord for all but one of the brands.
And if you think the lights plug in, really read the package. Test Drive bought two sets of lights at the same store and both are battery operated. This important information was posted on the back of the box, not the front.
Energy costs are high on everyone's radar at this time of year, so you'll be happy to hear that three of the strings consist of LED lights, which should last far longer than their energy-guzzling counterparts.
Thanks to Liz, Julia, Isabella, Dennis and Ian for their enlightening responses.
Danson Décor, Decorative Lights with reflectors (Pumpkins)
Cost: $9.99
Length: 9 feet 6 inches (2.9m) total, 7 feet 6 inches (2.29m) lighted length
Lights: 8, LED, 3 AA batteries not included. Virtually unbreakable (no glass), lights rated for 200,000 hours of use.
These pumpkin lights bought at Party Packagers were the favourite of the testers. Julia thought the batteries made these lights better than the electric ones, since you can place them far from an outlet. Liz thought they looked kitschy instead of cheap. Isabella liked the nice round shape "They look like real pumpkins."
The face is scarier than the other lights. Ian and Dennis were hard to please but both exclaimed, "Whoa!" when they saw the lights blinking. The changing colours really set the Halloween mood.
Happy Halloween LED Lights
Cost: $14.99
Length: Approximately 21 feet (6.4m)
Lights: 35, LED, Energy Star rated, no glass bulbs to replace or break (permanent LED lamps), water resistant, end-to-end connecter.
Guarantee: Limited 5 years
For practical reasons, these lights from Canadian Tire were the best. They're the only ones that had clips at each bulb to aid in hanging, the cord is the longest by far, they're electrical, consist of LED lights, they have a warranty, and they can be connected end-to-end. Liz liked the long cord but thought they would look better strung outside. The negatives were elemental: poor design. Besides the nice "orangey" colour, everyone thought the pumpkins were a bit tacky and wished they were round. But as part of an overall scheme, they would still be a good addition for lighting the home.
Wal-Mart Skeleton Light Set
Cost: $4.96
Length: 9 feet 6 inches (2.9m) total length; 7 feet 6 inches (2.29m) lighted length
Lights: 10, moveable parts on the skeletons
These lights have a great sound effect when they're moving around on the cord; they sound just like skeletons should. That and the shape of these lights were a hit with everyone. Liz and Julia loved the spooky green light emitting from the translucent skeletons. Isabella thought the blood on the ribs and the mouth added a great touch. The problems while testing these lights is the same for all but the longest string, you need an extension cord and the lights don't connect so that you can make a long string. The huge problem while photographing these lights? They conked out. Up to point, they were rated 2 1/2 stars but Test Drive hopes that a string of lights lasts at least one season, not just one week.
Danson Décor, Decorative Lights with reflectors (Ghosts)
Cost: $9.99
Length: 9 feet 6 inches (2.9m) total, 7 feet 6 inches (2.29m) lighted length
Lights: 8, LED, 3AA batteries not included. Virtually unbreakable (no glass), lights rated for 200,000 hours of use.
The testers were less impressed with these lights compared to the other ones bought from Party Packagers. Liz scoffed at their "tacky, plastic looks. They just look cheap." She wasn't as harsh when they were lit up, since they glowed nicely. A nice touch is that each ghost glows a different colour. They just didn't compare to the pumpkins.
Haunted Halls, 10 Lite Pumpkin Set
Cost: $3.99
Length: 8 feet (2.4m), 6 feet (1.83m) lighted length
Lights: 10, two replacement bulbs
These set of lights are annoying. They do not have end-to-end receptors but you can combine the two strands from end-to-beginning which means the outlet has to be in the middle of the window or display area. The plus side for these lights bought at Zellers is that the pumpkins are two faced so it doesn't matter which side is facing when hanging the lights. Julia thought they would look good if your Halloween theme is scary. Isabella liked the faces and how they glowed. The pumpkins are round and look like pumpkins. They weren't Liz's favourite lights but she thought they were a bargain.
Haunted Halls, 10 Lite Flashing Skeleton
Cost: $5.99
Lights: 10, two replacement bulbs
Length: 7 feet (2.14m) total, 5 feet (1.52m) lighted length
These lights are the relatives to the pumpkins above from Zellers and suffered from the same problem with combining two strands. The skeletons do not evoke the same visual effect as the pumpkins. The limbs are flimsy and the legs kept falling off. They did snap back in if you found them (I think the puppy carried away the missing ones). The lights didn't flash so why is "flashing" in the name? Julia and Isabella liked the design and that the legs and arms moved. They also liked how they looked plugged in but Ian and Dennis didn't think they lit up brightly enough. Liz didn't think they were worth buying.
Toronto Star