Eventually, however, production started moving overseas due to the attraction of lower labour-costs and materials. Today, there are no manufacturers of Christmas lights in the United States or in Canada.

Permanent Christmas lights cost $20 to $40 per linear foot with installation, or $2,000 to $8,000 total on average. Professionals install permanent holiday lights on the exterior of your home, usually along the roofline.

Early electric Christmas lights were introduced with electrification, beginning in the 1880s. The illuminated Christmas tree became established in the UK during Queen Victoria's reign, and through emigration spread to North America and Australia.