Bubble lights, a nostalgic Christmas tree decoration, were introduced in the late 1940s. These unique lights feature a small vial of liquid, typically methylene chloride, which bubbles when heated by a small incandescent bulb at the base. Their mesmerizing effect quickly made them a popular alternative to traditional string lights.
Originally marketed by companies like NOMA Electric Corporation, bubble lights became a staple in mid-century holiday decor, symbolizing the era’s fascination with novelty and innovation. While their popularity waned with the rise of modern LED lights, bubble lights remain a beloved vintage decoration for many holiday enthusiasts.
Winter begins Saturday at 3:21 AM in the night sky this week. This means Saturday will have the shortest day and longest night. This moment marks the time the Sun appears farthest south. The opposite is true in the southern hemisphere where summer begins. Now the sunsets will grow later, however, the sunrises will not be earlier until early January.
Ursid meteor shower begins this week, just above the bowl of the Little Dipper. The shower produces from 10 to 50 meteors per hour. They are noted for their long tails. Morning viewing is best since the Earth faces into the debris.
Venus shines in the southwest. As the second brightest object in the night sky, it reigns supreme. Then look opposite in the sky and you see Jupiter in the northeast shining brightly. It is the third brightest object in the night sky after Venus and the Moon.
Saturn shines prominently in the southwest in Aquarius setting after Venus. It’s easy to spot as the brightest object in that region. If you have a telescope, this is your chance to marvel at its famous rings. The rings will disappear on March 23 due to their tilt to be viewed edge-on.
Jupiter is hanging out between the horns of Taurus the Bull next to the orange star Aldebaran (the eye of the bull). Jupiter is very bright and relatively close to Earth. Now the first three objects to show up are the Moon, Venus, and Jupiter. The giant gas planet is overhead around midnight.
Mars rising early in the night in Cancer near the bright stars Castor and Pollux in Gemini. You cannot miss it, due to its red color. As the year wraps up, the red planet will grow brighter, moving closer to Earth in its orbit.
Mercury appears in the morning sky an hour before dawn. It will be close to the eastern horizon north of the reddish star Antares. The little planet is in the “13th Zodiac” constellation of Ophiuchus.
As the night unfolds, Vega remains a standout in the west-northwest, with Deneb forming the Northern Cross above it. By 11 PM, the cross will stand upright on the northwest horizon, a beautiful marker of the season.
The Big Dipper to the north is at its lowest point of the year. If you are in Miami, the dipper is below its horizon!
The rising of Orion, Canis Major, and Canis Minor is one of the most magical sights in the winter sky. It starts with Orion, the Hunter, making his grand entrance. You’ll spot his famous belt—three bright stars lined up perfectly in a row. Above the belt is Betelgeuse, a huge red star that has a warm, reddish glow, while below it is Rigel, a brilliant blue-white star that shines like a diamond. Orion is hard to miss and is often the first constellation people recognize in the winter.
Not far behind Orion comes Canis Major, the “Greater Dog.” This constellation is home to Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. Sirius steals the show with its intense, bluish-white sparkle. It’s like the sky’s spotlight! In mythology, Canis Major is one of Orion’s loyal hunting dogs, always by his side as he roams the celestial hunting grounds.
Trailing after is Canis Minor, the “Lesser Dog.” It’s a smaller constellation, but it has Procyon, a bright, cheerful-looking star. Even though Canis Minor doesn’t have as many standout stars as Canis Major, it still plays an important role in completing the picture. You can find it a bit to the northeast of Orion, lining up neatly with Sirius and the Hunter’s belt.
When all three rise together, they create an incredible scene. They’re part of what’s called the Winter Triangle, a big pattern of bright stars that lights up the winter night sky. It’s like a natural showcase of some of the most dazzling stars in the heavens, and once you’ve seen it, it’s hard to forget.
Enjoy this stunning celestial lineup throughout the week of December 27! The universe has quite a spectacle in store for us.
Caring for a poinsettia is pretty easy once you get the hang of it! They love bright, indirect sunlight, so a sunny spot near a window is perfect. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight because it can burn the leaves. A south, east, or west-facing window works best. When it comes to temperature, poinsettias do well in 65°F to 75°F, which is just room temperature for most homes. Make sure it’s not in a drafty spot or anywhere too cold—nothing below 50°F, please!
For watering, you don’t need to go overboard. Water your poinsettia when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. It’s super important that the pot has good drainage, so the water doesn’t sit at the bottom and cause root rot so remove the foil wrapper. And remember to empty any excess water from the saucer afterward. Poinsettias also like a bit of humidity, so if the air is dry (especially in winter), consider putting a humidifier nearby. You also can place the plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water—just make sure the pot doesn’t sit in the water!
During the growing season, you can feed your poinsettia with a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to help it grow strong and healthy. But once it starts blooming, you can skip the fertilizer. After the holiday season, cut it back to about 4-6 inches in spring to encourage fresh growth. If you want it to bloom again next year, in the fall, give it 12-14 hours of darkness each day to help trigger the next round of colorful bracts (the fancy red leaves).
If you see yellowing leaves, it might be a sign of overwatering, or maybe it just needs better drainage. Dropping leaves can happen if the plant is stressed, so check if it’s too dry or cold. And if the colorful bracts start to fade, try moving it to a brighter spot! With a little love, your poinsettia can last for months and may even bloom again next year!
