TikTok Surprised to Discover the True Purpose of the Red Christmas Lights

People are only now learning the unassuming purpose of the little red-nosed bulb that is included with holiday light strings, owing to a “reveal” on TikTok. The small red light is actually meant to make other lights glitter, as demonstrated in a video that a woman posted.

The light researcher captioned the instructive video, under the handle @VizNelly on TikTok, “I was today years old when I discovered out what these are for.”

In the footage, which has received more than 19 million views, she begins by taking out a single lightbulb from a strand of lights and replacing it with the red one.

She says, adding to the excitement of the celebration, “Wait for it.” The Christmas DIY video then shows the string of lights beginning to flicker.

Viewers were shocked — with many thinking the little red bulb was simply a spare, should one light stop shining.

“I thought they were replacement bulbs if one burnt out,” one commenter wrote of the blinking lights.

Another user by the name Lina Scanelli scoffed: “Dude, all they had to do was write something somewhere on the box. I wasted so many years not knowing this.”

After removing a regular bulb on a string of holiday lights, replace it with the red-nosed bulb for a blinking light effect.

The string of Christmas lights will start flickering once the red bulb is screwed in.

Some had a jolly old take on what the red bulb was for.

“I thought it was a little Rudolph nose bulb … the special bulb,” another responded.

Despite the enlightening revelation for many Gen Zers, some viewers were quick to point out the discovery is nothing new.

“As someone who grew up in the 90s … I thought everyone knew this. We didn’t always have remote control lights!” the elder millennial chimed in.

@viznelly

**I** didn’t know. 🤩🎄☃️ #christmas #diy #home #homedecor #christmastiktok #christmasdecor #houseoftiktok #cleantok #housework #hometiktok #holiday #tips #hacks #hacksandtips #christmastree #navidad #feliznavidad

♬ It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas – Bing Crosby