So we bought some new LED holiday light strings to put on the house. Two strings (all we really need without going crazy) draw about 6W. Great, right?

Well the timer to run them draws about the same amount!

So: should we run the lights on the timer, appearing to be good citizens, or run them 24/7 and use less power???

Invest in a new timer. Be a good consumer as well, save jobs. It's Christmas for Christ's sake!

What's wrong with switching them on and off manually?

is the timer digital or analog?

my delema with LED xmas lights is they make me feel like im going to have a seizure. -but non xmas light led's (like in appliances and computers) do not make me feel the same way.
i wonder if DC xmas leds would be easier on the eyes...?

24/7 = ~$0.11 adder to your PG&E bill over the next week.