Acrylic figures
Twenty-seven moulded acrylic figures lit from inside: a set of three playful penguins, a Westie in a Santa hat, sitting snowmen, a nativity donkey, mostly from Three Kings. Fourteen run on batteries and thirteen on mains; sixteen carry the indoor and outdoor rating. From £9.99 to £74.99.
What an acrylic figure is
A translucent moulded shape, usually 25cm to 40cm, with a string of LEDs threaded through holes in the surface so the figure sparkles from the inside. They are weatherproof, light enough to pick up with one hand, and sit on a doorstep, a windowsill, a garden wall or a lawn. Penguins, snowmen and dogs are the shapes people buy for children; the nativity donkey and sheep go with a crib scene.
Sets and singles
The Set of 3 Playful Penguins at £39.99 and the Set of 5 Sitting Snowmen with 40 LEDs at £24.99 are the two most ordered and give a doorstep a scene in one box. Single figures such as the 32cm Westie with Santa Hat at £39.99 are bought to match a pet.
Battery or mains
Half the figures run on batteries with a timer, which is why they work on a doorstep or a wall where no cable reaches. The mains figures have a transformer that needs to stay under cover. White and ice white LEDs are the usual colour, which suits the acrylic; a few are warm white.
Indoor use
A single penguin or snowman on a windowsill or a hall table is a common use indoors. The battery figures need nothing else.
Common questions
Are acrylic figures weatherproof?
The sixteen with the outdoor rating are. The others are for a window or a sheltered porch.
How big are they?
Twenty-five to forty centimetres tall for most. The set of three penguins are 25cm each.
Do they need batteries?
Fourteen of the 27 do, usually three AA, not included. The rest are mains powered.
Will the LEDs last?
The LEDs are sealed inside the acrylic and are rated for many seasons. They are not replaceable.