Where to Start
Ask yourself the following questions to decide which type of Christmas lights to buy.
- Do I need incandescent or LED Christmas lights?
- What bulb shape or style best suits my design requirements?
- How many strands will it take to cover the area?
- Do I want white, colored or multicolor Christmas lights?
- What are the energy requirements?
LED and Incandescent Christmas Lights
Although both LED and incandescent string lights come in a variety of colors and bulb shapes, there are a few basic differences between them.
Incandescent Lights
- Often cost less than LEDs
- Have a warm glow
LED Lights
- Use less energy than incandescent bulbs
- Are longer lasting; some LEDs are rated up to 100,000 hours
- Burn at a lower temperature
- Come in both warm- and cool-glow varieties
Types of Christmas Lights
Mini String Lights
Mini string lights have small bulbs and have remained popular for the past few decades.
Wide-Angle LED Mini Lights
Wide-angle LED mini lights have low-profile, conical bulbs that give off more light than some varieties and blend seamlessly into their surroundings when not in use.
Large-Bulb Lights
Large-bulb lights (also known as C5, C7, C9, G40 and G50) create visual impact and lend a retro feel.
Battery-Operated Lights
Battery-operated Christmas lights are great for displays that aren't near a power source or are located where cords could be unsafe.
Animated and Color-Changing Lights
Animated and color-changing lights add eye-catching action to your holiday display.
Net Lights
Net lights are already strung together into forms, making it easy to achieve a uniform look when you drape them across shrubs or structures.
Icicle Lights
Icicle Christmas lights give your home a whimsical, snow-covered appearance.
LED Rope Lights
LED rope lights are ideal for outlining doorways, windows and walkways. They're also a great option for creating intricate shapes and designs.
Christmas Light Show Projectors
Christmas light show projectors require no installation and are a timesaving alternative to traditional string lights. Simply plug them into an outlet, point them anywhere — at garage doors, indoor or outdoor trees, or dwellings — and instantly project vibrant LED patterns and colors.
Pathway Lights
Pathway lights include built-in stakes that let you easily light a walkway or driveway and are available in a variety of shapes and styles.
While their typically low wattage and ease of use make mini string lights popular, you can find string lights in many bulb sizes, shapes and colors, including color-changing lights.
How Many Strands of Lights Will It Take to Cover the Area?
Although personal preference is the ultimate deciding factor, here are a few basic considerations:
- Bulb Spacing: Strands of Christmas lights with more space between bulbs are ideal for wrapping slender posts and tree branches. Strands with less space between bulbs are typically best for draping loosely around indoor trees or for lining roofs or overhangs.
- String Length: Two strands with the same number of lights will have different string lengths if their bulb spacing isn't identical.
Outdoor Trees
General Rule: For heavy lighting, plan for around 200 mini Christmas tree lights per vertical foot-and-a-half of tree. If you prefer medium lighting, 100 mini lights per foot should be enough.
Other Tips
- Slender trees will require the fewest number of lights.
- Dense evergreen trees, like pines, firs and spruces, may require more lights. Consider using larger-size bulbs for these.
- By wrapping bushes and shrubs with net or icicle lights, you’ll cover a greater area with fewer strands and less work.
- When covering tree branches, use lights with 6 to 8 inches of spacing between bulbs so that you can wrap wires tightly.
Indoor Christmas Trees
General Rule: Plan for approximately 100 mini Christmas tree lights per vertical foot-and-a-half of tree.
Other Tips
- Strands with a 4-inch bulb spacing will light more area at a lower cost.
- Strands with a 6- to 8-inch bulb spacing are best for tightly wrapping branches.
- Consider buying extra Christmas lights in case you need more than you thought or to use as replacements.
Choosing the Right Color
Some people have a strong preference for either colored or white Christmas lights, and here are a few considerations:
- White Christmas lights lend a timeless look, while colored lights are fun and festive. Plus you can coordinate them to create complex designs.
- Not all white LED lights are the same hue. Some give off a warm yellow glow, while others have a bluer tint.
- You can color block large areas with single-colored strands for a dramatic effect.
- Get children involved by allowing them to cover an assigned area with a color scheme of their choice.
Conserve Energy
Consider the following tricks to save on your energy bill during the holidays:
- Use automatic timers to turn your lighting displays off and on.
- Choose LED Christmas lights over incandescent lights, especially when covering large areas.
- Use extension cords in hidden areas to lengthen strands. See Power Cord Safety Tips.
- Christmas lights and extension cords come in different amperages. Always pair products of equal amp capacities.
Christmas Light Installation
What’s the best way to hang Christmas lights? Some Christmas lights, such as net lights, make it easy. Our How to Decorate a Christmas Tree guide will give you tips on adding both lights and ornaments to your tree. Take a look at our video How to Hang Outdoor Christmas Lights to learn how to create your own outdoor Christmas lights display.
Look for Christmas light clips and hangers that can simplify decorating with lights indoors and out. You can find clips that let you easily hang lights on mirrors, banisters and more. For outdoors, you’ll see clips that let you install exterior Christmas house lights on gutters, soffits, deck railings, windows, doors, brickwork and even your roof. You can also find lawn stakes that will suspend your lights along walkways, sidewalks and driveways.
Use plug-in light timers to conveniently turn your lights on and off automatically. Just make sure they’re compatible with your lights and avoid overloading them.
Using Christmas Lights Safely
Decorate with your Christmas lights safely. Some safety tips are below, but always follow the instructions for your lights.
- If you need a ladder, it’s a good idea to use one made of fiberglass rather than metal. Our Ladder and Scaffolding Buying Guide will help you find the right ladder and give you tips on using it safely.
- Don’t string too many lights together. Follow the manufacturer’s specifications for how many strands you can safely connect. Make sure they don’t draw more power than your outlets can handle.
- Pay attention to the intended use of the lights. While many Christmas lights work for both indoor and outdoor use, some lights are suitable only for indoor use, and some are designed for outdoor use only. Indoor-only lights won’t stand up to the elements well. They may become a hazard if used outdoors since they’re more susceptible to shorts caused by moisture. Outdoor-only lights may be larger and, in some cases, may put off more heat than those that are suitable for indoor use.
- Christmas lights and extension cords come in different amperages. Pair lights with extension cords that have appropriate amp capacities.
- If you’re using extension cords outdoors, make sure they’re intended for exterior locations.
- Avoid creating a tripping hazard when placing your cords.
- Keep outdoor Christmas lights off the ground to avoid moisture, which can lead to a short.
Want More Ideas?
Once you have a great selection of Christmas lights and décor, you need ways to store them and keep them organized and secure. We have Christmas tree storage bags so you can keep your tree assembled and ready to put up. Using a tree storage bag also saves space by allowing you to store the tree upright. To protect delicate and keepsake ornaments, store them safely in an ornament storage box. String light storage containers are excellent for avoiding the tangled mess that can sometimes happen when you don’t properly put away lights at the season’s end. Keep your artificial wreaths and garland looking good year after year with wreath storage containers. You can find these ideas and more in our Christmas Storage Hacks video.