How to Hang Christmas Lights Outside

Are you looking for festive decorating ideas to brighten up your home this holiday season? Then why not hang some Christmas lights outside? Hanging outdoor Christmas lights can create a beautiful look and create a holiday vibe for your family and friends to enjoy. In this guide, we’ll show you how to efficiently hang Christmas lights outside to make your home shine this holiday season. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

• 1. Get Ready for Christmas Lights – What You Need & Everything Else You Need to Know
• 2. Choosing the Right Location for Your Christmas Lights
• 3. Test Your Lights Beforehand – Tips for a Safe Install
• 4. Installing & Securing the Lights: What Works Best?
• 5. Decorating Tips: How to Hang Christmas Lights for a Classy Look
• 6. Wrap Up – Finishing Touches for an Enchanting Look
• 7. Let the Magic Begin – Enjoying Your Christmas Lights Display!
• Q&A

1. Get Ready for Christmas Lights – What You Need & Everything Else You Need to Know

Are you counting down the days until Christmas? If so, it’s definitely the time to start thinking about getting your outdoor decorations underway, and what better way to get festive than with some pretty Christmas lights! Before you go out and buy all of the necessary equipment to hang lights outdoors however, it is important to keep the following in mind:

Outdoor Lights Only – First and foremost, you will need to use a light that is specifically designed for outdoor use. Indoor Christmas lights are beautiful, but they are unsuitable for use outside in the elements.

Pick The Right Lights – LED lights are super versatile and energy efficient. String lights come in loads of sizes and colors, and turned on, they create an absolutely enchanting atmosphere! If you want to light-up more of a large area, choose some larger bulb-type lights as these will give you the maximum effect.

Location – To hang lights, you will need to have some basic tools such as ladders, screws, clips, and extension cords. Before you decide where to hang your lights, look at the area and make sure you can access the areas you need to.

Putting The Lights Up! – When you have your supplies and you’ve selected the best place for them, you can begin installing your lights. You will need to use screws to attach clips to the surface, and then use those clips to hang your lights from. If you’re hanging the lights in a tree, you may be able to use string instead of clips, but keep in mind that you may need an extension cord for this.

Hassle Free Hanging – If you don’t have the time or desire to do all of the hanging and drilling, then consider using the new hassle-free “Shine Bright” hanging system from National Tree Company. All you need to do is attach the lights to the hooks, place the hooks in the pockets, and you’re done!

Table: Necessary Tools to Hang Christmas Lights Outdoors

Tool	Use
Ladders	For high places
Screws	To attach clips to the surface
Clips	To hang the lights
Extension cords	If needed, use for trees
Light Clips	For trees or when using large bulb-type lights

So, there you have it! Now you have everything you need to know about getting your outdoor Christmas lights up and festive for the holidays! Don’t forget to add some decorations such as snowflakes, candles, and other fun decorations for an extra layer of holiday spirit.

2. Choosing the Right Location for Your Christmas Lights

Start By Mapping Out Your Home

When it comes to Christmas decorations, the first step is to plan. Running strings of lights around your home or in your garden is a big task, and you must make sure you have room for all of it. To make sure you have plenty of space, start by mapping out your home so you can decide how you want the decorations to look. Pick out the obvious locations first, then fill in the gaps where you can.

Pick Areas Where the Lights Will Showcase Your Home’s Best Features

You don’t want to just randomly throw lights up around your house, you want to pick areas where the lights will showcase your home’s best features. For example, if you have a pine tree in the front, you could easily string some lights around it, as well as in the garden or around the porch, so the tree is the focal point.

Or, if you have a balcony or upper walkway, you could place lighted outlines to create a winter wonderland above your home. Wherever you decide to put the lights, make sure you make them look pleasing and eye-catching.

Table 1: Popular Options for Hanging Christmas Lights

Location	Hanging Tool	Usage
Windows	S hooks	Attach the clips to the window and then the lights to the clips.
Gutters and Downspouts	Gutter hooks	Hooks slide into the gutter and make room for the light cord.
Fences and Railings	Rubber straps	Loop around the fence posts and lights can be attached to eye screws.
Walls and Eaves	Light clips	Most effective for stones walls and hard surfaces. Lights can be easily attached.

It all depends on what kind of look you’re going for. Once you’ve decided where you’re going to place your lights, you will need the proper tools. There are a variety of tools to help you hang your lights. Table 1 provides a look at the popular options for hanging Christmas lights.

Final Tips

Now that you have your lights and tools ready, it’s time to hang them up! Make sure to not hang strings of lights too tightly, as this can cause them to break or overheat. As long as the lights are in a safe location and not too close together, you should be good to go!

When it comes to safety, it’s best to use a professional lighting company for the installation. A good lighting company will know the right tools, tips, and tricks to properly hang your lights and ensure they are completely secure.

3. Test Your Lights Beforehand – Tips for a Safe Install

Check Working of Lights: Before you strap yourself to the ladder and start hanging lights, make sure that your lights are in working condition. Inspect the bulbs for any cracks or loose wiring. Unscrew the bulb if there is a faulty one and replace it. You don’t want to waste time and effort hanging defective lights outside.

Organize Lights Before: Spend some time laying the lights out in the living room before you get started. Inspect for any broken or faulty lights and remove them. Separate the strands and identify what each strand will be used for. For example, use one strand for the windows and one strand to hang over the porch. It’s a good idea to label the strands if you’re dealing with a lot of them.

Lay Out Lights Beforehand: Figure out the exact position of where the lights will be hung. If you are facing a large surface like the roof, it’s best to map it out on the ground. Gather your supplies such as suction cup hooks, power drill and staple gun. You should have a clear idea of where you are going to attach the hooks.

Test the Lights: Before installing the lights, plug them into an outlet and see if they light up. If the lights flicker, check the outlet, the circuit or the bulbs. Also, make sure you plug in LED lights into a dedicated LED outlet and not a regular outlet. If you’re dealing with large area, mark the points where the outlets will go.

Table:

Area	Number of Hooks	Number of Strands
Roof	30	3
Windows	12	2
Porch	10	1

Once the outlets and position are figured out, you should also estimate the number of hooks required for each area. In the table above, we have an example of how many hooks are needed for a roof, windows, and porch. This can help you plan the number of strands you need to hang around the place. This way you don’t buy too many or too few strands and it helps you save time and hassle.

Preparing and checking beforehand can help you avoid a lot of unfortunate surprises or costly mistakes that can suddenly increase your Christmas light installation cost. Take the time to test your lights and plan before going ahead and hanging them up.

4. Installing & Securing the Lights: What Works Best?

Ultimately installing and securing the lights is all about what works best for the look you are trying to create. Below are some tips collectors should consider to get the lights up and secure:

• Planning Ahead: Before you start to hang lights, think about where your plugs are and pre-plan out how you’d like your lights to look. Using a small piece of yarn or measuring tape in combination with visualizing even longer the lights will help you to better measure out the route and plug location before you begin.
• Weather-Proofing Your Lights: Investing a few extra dollars in weather-proofing materials will ensure your lights are securely secured and will last longer over time. We highly recommend investing in sealing tape along with timers, if needed, to ensure the lights turn on and off automatically.

• Light Attachment Points & Providing a Visible Tension: When looping lights around beams and other permanent fixtures, makes sure your selected bulbs are screwed on tightly and securely to minimize movement and provide visible tension in the lights. It’s also important to make sure the attachment points are also covered from the elements.

There are plenty of other tricks you can use in order to hang and secure your Christmas lights from the outside of your home. If you’re willing to take the time to research and shop around, you should easily be able to find the right products and strategies to decorate your home’s outside with beautiful Christmas lights.

5. Decorating Tips: How to Hang Christmas Lights for a Classy Look

.

Choosing your Lighting

The most important element of outdoor Christmas lighting is choosing the right lights for your needs and budget. LED lights are often the best choice because they come in a variety of colors, they use less energy than traditional incandescent lights, and they last longer. String lights are more versatile than net lights, which can only be shaped around surfaces like fences.

Measuring and Mapping Your Space

Once you have chosen your lights and plan the look you’re going for, measure your intended outdoor area and draw a map. Mark off areas you want special attention or lights to stand out. This will help you plan the placement of your lights.

Installing and Connecting Lights

Start with the end of the string and begin by wrapping the lights around the surface or area you planned in your map. For a professional look, find a wall or similar support to attach your light strings in a straight line. If you’re placing your lights on wooden decks or railings, use zip ties or staples, taking extra care to not damage the wood in the process. If you want to connect multiple strings of lights, make sure to use the same manufacturer’s lights with compatible connections.

Outdoor Power Source

If you plan to use your lights indoors, you can simply plug the lights into an existing outlet. For outdoor use, you’ll want to install a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupt) outdoor outlet with a weatherproof cover to ensure protection from the elements. If your lighting project requires more power than can be supplied by one outlet, consider installing a multi-outlet power source. Keep in mind, some lighting projects may require a professional electrician.

6. Wrap Up – Finishing Touches for an Enchanting Look

Now that you’ve practiced your holiday decorating skills, your outdoor display is ready for the perfect finishing touches. To create a truly enchanting look, consider the following tips:

Choose the Right Lights

When it comes to choosing outdoor Christmas Lights, you have two popular options: incandescent string lights with traditional bulbs and LED string lights with their modern, energy-efficient bulbs. Whichever you choose, make sure to consider the sizes, colors, and special effects available.

Think Outside the Box

Shatter the expectations of typical holiday lighting with inventive combinations of exposure, clips, and color. String colored lights along your balcony rail or hang a few classic white bulbs along your roof’s edge. Creative approaches to your holiday style will make your outdoor lights look truly unique.

Know the Distance

To ensure that your lighting package has a consistent glow, it’s important to figure out the spacing between the bulbs. Measure how much space you need before you start uncoiling. Most incandescent bulbs require approximately four or five inches of space, whereas LED bulbs need only a few inches.

Project Personality

Your holiday display should capture the spirit of your celebration, no matter the season. Hang icicle lights to simulate a winter landscape or craft homemade paper lanterns for a festive and lively atmosphere.

Maintain and Appreciate

Your decorations will not shine if they are greying from excess winter dampness or dust-ridden from being kept up too long. Protect and polish your lights as if they were a priceless investment for they are a timeless investment worth preserving, all while enjoying your display and the sense of joy you create.

7. Let the Magic Begin – Enjoying Your Christmas Lights Display!

.

It’s here – the season of merriment and joy! Your outdoor Christmas lights display is one of the best ways to spread the Christmas spirit, and enjoy the holiday season. Here are our tips for making the most of your Christmas lights display.

• Check Lights Before Installing: Before you place the lights, take a few moments to look over each light bulb to make sure there is no broken glass or other damage. Replace any suspicious bulbs.
• Choose a Color Scheme: Think about the color scheme you want for your display. You might like to choose one or two hues, use all the colors of the rainbow, or opt for a classic red and green design. Decide if your strings should be separate or blend together.
• Pick an Interval: Once you have a design in mind, figure out when and how often you want the lights to turn on. You can set the timer to turn on at the same time every day or vary the hours. You can even install an automatic light sensor to ensure the lights will turn on during the evening and shut off after a set time.

Don’t forget about areas surrounding the home, too. Outdoor planters, trees, and other foliages draped in festive lights can be just as magical. Wrap trees with soft white or colored lights or group several planters together and wrap with an overlapping light pattern to achieve a soft glow.

Enjoy those crisp winter nights with your outdoor display, listen to holiday carols, sip on some hot cocoa, and enjoy the holiday season with your friends and family.

Q&A

Q: What type of lights should I use for my outdoor Christmas decorations?
A:Generally it’s best to use lights specifically designed for outdoor use. Water-sealed or tempered glass bulbs are popular because they can handle cold temperatures and wet weather without compromising performance. LED lights are also a good option for outside because they are brighter and last longer.

Q: What’s the safest way to hang Christmas lights on the exterior of my house?
A:There are a few ways to hang holiday lights, depending on the type of exterior wall. If you’re dealing with siding, sturdy hooks and nails are usually the best option. Clips are also an option for hanging lights, but they should be specifically designed for outdoor use. If hanging lights around doorways or windows, it’s best to use insulated staples that won’t conduct electricity or damage the wall.

Q: How can I make sure my outdoor lights stay lit?
A:Make sure to check the wattage on your lights, as too many can overload your circuit. In addition, make sure to keep sliding connections and cords away from water sources. Investing in a GFCI outlet or surge protector is also a good idea to keep moisture from affecting your lighting setup.

Q: Are there any tips for taking down my Christmas lights?
A:Take your time when taking lights down! Make sure to always unplug them before removing, and separate individual strands as you go. This avoids unnecessary tangling and will make it much easier to install your lights the following year.

Hopefully this article has given you some tips and ideas for hanging Christmas lights outside.Depending on your out-the-door festive style, you can create a magical light show of your own to get your family and friends into the Christmas spirit! Just remember to stay safe, have fun, and have a very merry Christmas!