During the holiday season, I wanted to elevate my home’s festive spirit with automated lighting. After some research, I decided to integrate my Philips Hue lights with a Sonoff basic switch, aiming for a seamless setup. The goal was to create a warm, inviting ambiance without manual adjustments.
I started by flashing the Sonoff with Tasmota and setting up MQTT. Initially, I faced some challenges with the automation timing, but after some tweaking, I managed to create a system that turns the lights on for exactly two hours every evening. The integration with Lovelace allowed me to adjust the duration effortlessly, whether it’s just an hour for a quick dinner or two hours for a family gathering.
This setup not only saved me time but also added a touch of elegance to my home. The Philips Hue lights, with their adjustable brightness and color temperature, perfectly complemented the automation. It’s amazing how technology can enhance such simple yet meaningful aspects of life.
For anyone looking to automate their holiday lights, I highly recommend exploring Tasmota and MQTT. The satisfaction of watching your home come alive with lights at the perfect time is truly rewarding. Happy holidays to all! 
