Tis the season to be merry and bright as we deck the halls with boughs of holly and shimmering light strands of Christmas lights. As the festive season approaches, decorating your home with lovely Christmas lights is a great way to bring warmth and cheer into your abode. Newbies always wonder how to hang Christmas lights in the most beautiful manner and we got you covered.
Whether you want to hang Christmas lights outside your house, on trees, or anywhere else, this guide helps you learn the basics of hanging Christmas lights like a pro. So, roll up your sleeves, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and get ready to shine brighter than a star atop the Christmas tree.
Equipment You Need to Get Started
Before you can get into the festive spirit of hanging Christmas lights, you need a few pieces of equipment to complete the task. Depending on the type of lights you are hanging, your list might vary slightly, but here are some of the basics you need:
- Christmas lights: LED mini lights or C7/C9 light strands are the most popular for outdoor decoration.
- Zip ties or light clips: To secure the lights to a surface like a window, door frame, gutters, etc.
- Staple gun: To attach lights to a surface like a fence, deck railing, etc.
- Ladder: Depending on the height of your house or the area you are a decorating.
- Timer: For ease of use and convenience, many homeowners choose to install a timer so that their lights will turn on automatically each night
- Outdoor or indoor-rated extension cords: Make sure you use the right type of cord for the job at hand. Outdoor-rated cords are meant for outdoor use and are approved for wet locations like patios, decks, driveways, or gardens.
- Hooks or nails: Hooks and nails help hang lights on surfaces. Make sure to use the right kind of hook for your surface material.
- Anchoring solutions: If you want to keep your lights secure, several anchoring solutions are available. Command strips, clips, zip ties, and clamps are all useful for locking lights in place.
Where to Hang Christmas Lights?
The best way to start decorating for the holiday season is to hang lights. There are so many places inside and outside of your place. We cover the most popular locations for hanging Christmas lights, no matter what kind of look you are going for.
How To Hang Christmas Lights on a House?
When it comes to hanging lights and exterior decorations, the best place to start is the roofline. Let’s take a look at the process of hanging the outdoor lights on your house.
- Step 1: To determine how many lights you need for each section of your decoration, using a measuring tape, measure the roof line.
- Step 2: Make sure you have the right ladder for the job and that it is secured on a stable surface.
- Step 3: Use plastic clips or screw hooks to hang your lights on the roofline. Make sure to anchor each clip or hook firmly.
- Step 4: When you are done, make sure to test your lights before putting the ladder away. Plus, plug the lights into a surge protector and keep your power sources away from high winds and rain.
- Step 5: Use zip ties to keep your wiring tidy and secure for the whole season, and finally, enjoy your beautiful Christmas lights.
How To Hang Christmas Lights Around Windows?
Windows are one of the most popular locations to hang Christmas lights, and for a good reason. To hang Christmas lights around windows, you have to ensure you have the right tools: a lightweight ladder, Christmas bulbs or lights, and either a hammer and nails or Command hooks.
- Step 1: Place the ladder outside your window and, if necessary, secure it with a brick or another heavy object to keep it from slipping.
- Step 2: Determine the best way to attach the lights to the window frame. Using command hooks, nails, staples, or a hot glue gun are a few ways that have proven to work.
- Step 3: Start at the bottom and secure every few inches of the light strand to the frame. Once you have wrapped the lights around the entire window frame, secure them with additional hooks or nails as needed.
- Step 4: Then plug them in and enjoy the cheerful lights and festive atmosphere.
How to Hang Christmas Lights on a Large Outdoor Tree?
To hang outdoor Christmas lights around a large tree, you can start at the bottom and make your way to the top to ensure that each branch has enough lights to add a festive look to the tree. If you don’t know where to start, follow this process:
- Step 1: Prepare the Lights and Equipment – Gather all the necessary materials, including Christmas lights, extension cords, and any additional accessories like clips or hooks. Ensure that the lights are in good working condition and untangle them if needed.
- Step 2: Determine the Design and Layout – Decide on the design and layout you want to achieve for your tree. Consider whether you want a uniform wrap around the trunk, wrap around branches, or a combination of both. Visualize the placement of lights to create an even distribution and an appealing display.
- Step 3: Start from the Base – Begin at the base of the tree. Secure the first strand of lights near the trunk using clips or hooks. Slowly wrap the lights around the trunk in a spiral or vertical pattern, moving upward as you go. Keep the lights snugly wrapped, but not too tight to avoid damage to the tree.
- Step 4: Extend to the Branches – Once you reach the lower branches, start weaving the lights outward along the branches. Secure the lights using clips or hooks, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Continue this process, moving from branch to branch, until you reach the top of the tree.
- Step 5: Test and Adjust – After wrapping the entire tree, plug in the lights and test them to ensure they are working properly. Take a step back to assess the overall effect and make any necessary adjustments. If needed, add additional strands of lights to enhance the display or fill in any gaps.
Remember to prioritize safety throughout the process. Use appropriate outdoor-rated lights, secure all connections and extension cords, and avoid overloading electrical circuits. Enjoy the beautiful glow of your wrapped tree, creating a magical ambiance for the holiday season.
How Can I Hang Christmas Lights in My Room?
You can hang Christmas lights around your bedroom if you want to add some extra sparkle inside your home. Not only does it make your room look festive, but you can also get creative with the lighting display and express yourself through art. Here is how you can hang holiday lights inside your bedroom:
- Step 1: Begin by planning out the design of your light display. Then choose your desired type of Christmas lights, such as LED Christmas lights, icicle lights, or incandescent or solar-powered lights.
- Step 2: Measure the area you want to hang your lights so that you can get the right number of lights and the necessary length of the light string.
- Step 3: Install a small hook on the wall or ceiling to anchor your lights. Then attach Christmas lights to the hook and work your way down, evenly spacing them out.
- Step 4: When you reach the end of the wall, loop around and create your desired pattern. If it is furniture, use transparent tape to secure your string lights so they don’t move around.
- Step 5: Plug the Christmas lights into a surge protector or a timer. Now turn on the lights to check if everything looks perfect and make any adjustments if needed, and you are done.
Step-by-Step Process to Hang Lights for Christmas- Blitzen Lighting’s Way
Blitzen Lighting always follows this process and expects you to do the same. Here’s what you should do:
Step#1: Choose a location
Before you start the process of hanging Christmas lights, make sure to choose an appropriate spot. Consider if there are obstructions like trees and other obstacles. Make sure to hang lights away from sensitive areas, such as roof vents or power lines, that may be vulnerable to heat damage.
Step#2: Gather your equipment
Collect all the tools and materials you need after choosing the right spot to hang your lights. Such as a ladder/extension pole, ladder stabilizer, electrical tape, wire cutters, and lights.
Step#3: Measure the area
Before you start hanging the lights, measure the length of your area. You can do this by using a measuring tape or laser measure. It allows you to determine how many Christmas lights and what length of wire you need for the job.
Step#5: Secure the lights
Begin by securely attaching lights to the house, eaves, and rooflines. You can use nails, hooks, or adhesive strips. Make sure the pins or hooks are properly secured and the lights are firmly fastened.
Step#6: Hanging the lights
Bring a ladder, start hanging the holiday lights at the roofline, and gently drape each strand of lights over the eave. Make sure to position each string so it is level and secure to avoid tangles. It may be helpful to take a picture of the house beforehand so that you can have an idea of where each strand should go.
Step#7: Connecting strings of lights
To avoid confusion, start at one corner of the house and work your way around, connecting the ends of each string to form one continuous loop. It ensures that all lights stay lit. Plus, it is important to test the lights to ensure that all bulbs are working properly and that there are no frayed wires, broken bulbs, or sockets.
Step#8: Plugging in lights
Once all strands have been tested, plug them into an outdoor power strip or directly into an outdoor outlet. Make sure to sync the lights with the timer so they can switch on and off at the designated times.
Tips & Tricks to Hang Christmas Lights Safely
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions early and make sure to use UL-certified lights that are designed for outdoor use.
- To ensure safety, use extra security measures such as adhesive hooks or zip ties to secure the lights against high winds.
- Make sure to have a power source nearby that can adequately handle the wattage of the lights.
- When hanging lights outdoors, consider using a ladder with brackets or stabilizers. It helps prevent slipping or falling off the ladder while maneuvering with the lights.
- Keep an eye on broken or missing bulbs and replace them immediately to ensure safe operation.
- Hang lights only on surfaces that are designed to support them. Avoid hanging lights from nails, screws, or other fasteners that can damage the wiring.
- Instead of nails or staples, you can use plastic clips and hooks designed to hold holiday lights in place without causing damage.
- When connecting multiple strands of lights together, make sure to use the power connector that comes with each set of lights.
- To avoid trapping hazards, make sure to keep all electrical cords away from any area where they can be stepped on or pulled.
Wrap It Up!
It’s time to stand back and admire your work. Make sure you double-check everything one final time, then switch on the lights and enjoy the holiday spirit. If you want to take it one step further, add other outdoor decorations like wreaths and garland.
You can also use your Christmas lights to frame an outdoor sign board or create a festive spotlight by pointing the lights up toward your house. I hope you can successfully learn how to hang Christmas lights from this guide and have a great holiday season.