The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was lit last night, and for the first time in its 75-year history, LEDs replaced its incandescent bulbs. I have yet to see it in person (I'll give you my impressions when I do) but it sure looked sparkly on TV after Al Roker and gang hit the big red button.

Chances are that your tree, or mine, won't look as spectacular or high-tech. Luckily, it doesn't have to be that way.

Newsday has good news for Long Islanders and just about anyone within range of a Home Depot. Retailers are stocking LED tree lights this year and reporting healthy interest. It helps that they're not priced astronomically high.

However, there is still a premium to be paid...

The cost certainly is a factor in LED sales: At Home Depot, a string of 100 clear minilights in traditional bulbs sells for $2, while 50 LED lights were on sale for $7.99. And at Walmart, a 7-foot-tall prelit tree cost $59.84 with traditional lights -- and $92.84 with LEDs.

On the other hand, some Home Depot customers came in asking for the "bright lights" -- meaning the vivid LEDS, said Sheriee Bowman, a New York-metro area spokeswoman for the chain.

"The LED Christmas lights are 80 percent more efficient, is how we are advertising it," she said, "and they last up to 20,000 hours or the equivalent of up to 20 years. We have 11 different styles for both indoor and outdoor use, and they are cool to the touch. ... Customers are coming in and asking for them. It's one of our most popular Christmas items this year."

The bad news: you'll be untangling the same set of lights around this time of year for two decades. Enjoy.