To automate or make the lights of the Christmas tree or other decorations programmable, to not always leave them on and not to have to plug and unplug every day, let's see what can be done to have more technological and "smart" decorations and decorations without going to spend too much money.
The goal is not only to have variegated, bright and noticeable LED lights, but above all to make them turn on automatically, so you don't have to worry about turning them on and off by hand and to save on electricity, forgetting about them . Without the need for special "Smart Home" equipment, you can make the Christmas lights, the lights of the tree, the crib or even the curtains automatic, using a timer socket or an app that allows you to program their switching on and off .
On Amazon there are several sockets with timers, including this one with integrated regulator in the socket, becoming less bulky.
There are also external sockets, also with timers, ideal for gardens and terraces, so that they are protected from rain and humidity.
While in another article we have seen some models of Smart Plugs to turn off appliances remotely, on Amazon there are several models of Smart Plugs with prices starting from 15 Euros up to the TP-Link smart socket that works on apps for Android and iPhone and the Wifi socket, which also works with Google Home and Alexa.
An Echo Dot (with Alexa) or a Nest Mini (with Google Assistant) can control different types of smart plugs from a single app and, basically, they act as the brain for the smart home.
Creating routines for both Alexa and Google Assistant is not complicated and we have seen in different guises both how to create routines on Alexa, and also how to create new voice commands (and routines) with Google Assistant. For the Google Assistant, in fact, when you want a new program you must also create a voice command.
For those who want to overdo it, the Twicky Christmas tree lights cost more than 100 Euros, but offer a programmable and configurable decoration model through a smartphone app, comfortable and impressive (from an Italian startup). This special light tube allows you to program, from the phone screen, the color of each individual LED and the animation.
READ ALSO: Christmas backgrounds, Christmas trees and icons for the PC desktop
The goal is not only to have variegated, bright and noticeable LED lights, but above all to make them turn on automatically, so you don't have to worry about turning them on and off by hand and to save on electricity, forgetting about them . Without the need for special "Smart Home" equipment, you can make the Christmas lights, the lights of the tree, the crib or even the curtains automatic, using a timer socket or an app that allows you to program their switching on and off .
Mechanical timer to attach to the electrical outlet
The cheapest and easiest option is to buy a mechanical timer that turns the lights on at a certain time of day and automatically turns them off after a few hours. This type of socket is cheap and easy to use, ideal not only for Christmas lights, but also for other lamps or appliances.On Amazon there are several sockets with timers, including this one with integrated regulator in the socket, becoming less bulky.
There are also external sockets, also with timers, ideal for gardens and terraces, so that they are protected from rain and humidity.
Smart Plugs with app
For more advanced automation, it is possible to use Smart Plugs, i.e. programmable electrical sockets that can be controlled remotely via smartphone. You can then program the lights to turn on and off at certain times and then, more than the timers, you can also choose which days to turn it on and control the lights at different times, in order to, for example, turn on the Christmas lights longer than on other days of the week. In addition, with the smart plugs it is also possible to make sure that the Christmas lights turn on only when we are at home and turn them off when we go out and program on and off via an app on the smartphone.While in another article we have seen some models of Smart Plugs to turn off appliances remotely, on Amazon there are several models of Smart Plugs with prices starting from 15 Euros up to the TP-Link smart socket that works on apps for Android and iPhone and the Wifi socket, which also works with Google Home and Alexa.
An Echo Dot (with Alexa) or a Nest Mini (with Google Assistant) can control different types of smart plugs from a single app and, basically, they act as the brain for the smart home.
Program the lights with Alexa or Google
The scheduling feature of Alexa and Google Assistant is called "routine". Routines are, in essence, basic programs such as "if a condition is met, then perform an action." For example, you can say "if it's 7 in the evening, turn on the Christmas lights".Creating routines for both Alexa and Google Assistant is not complicated and we have seen in different guises both how to create routines on Alexa, and also how to create new voice commands (and routines) with Google Assistant. For the Google Assistant, in fact, when you want a new program you must also create a voice command.
Automatic Christmas lights
Finally, to buy smart lights, you can search Amazon for LED tubes and light chains that can be controlled with a remote control and do not necessarily need to be connected to an electrical outlet. For example, this outdoor light tube already includes the timer function, is controlled with a remote control and runs on batteries, without wires. The 16-color LED String Lights are also good, waterproof and with remote control.For those who want to overdo it, the Twicky Christmas tree lights cost more than 100 Euros, but offer a programmable and configurable decoration model through a smartphone app, comfortable and impressive (from an Italian startup). This special light tube allows you to program, from the phone screen, the color of each individual LED and the animation.
READ ALSO: Christmas backgrounds, Christmas trees and icons for the PC desktop
