How to Hang Lights for Christmas (2024)

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Types of Christmas Lights

Not all plug-in Christmas lights are the same, and the names and styles can be confusing. It's helpful to remember that "C" stands for either "cone" or "candle," due to their bulbous shape. They are usually described as strawberry-shaped. The higher the C-number, the larger the size, from C3 to C9. Here's how to choose the right size and shape Christmas lights for your holiday decorating needs.

• Christmas string lights: The most commonly used light. Its bulb shape resembles a candle with a pointed tip. They are generally 1/4-inch in diameter and 5/8-inch tall.
• Icicle lights: String lights that mimic the appearance of icicles hanging on overhangs, peaks and windows.
• LED Christmas lights: Uses light-emitting diodes, rather than filaments to produce light. LED lights are more efficient, durable and longer-lasting than fluorescent incandescent lights. LED technology saves money and energy.
• Battery operated lights: Provides more freedom for your Christmas decorating. Uses an attached battery pack to power the lights.
• C9 Christmas lights: Largest of the strawberry-shaped lights. Measure 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/2 inches tall.
• C7 Christmas lights: Mid-size strawberry-shaped lights, but with a more rounded, bulbous look. Measures 1-inch in diameter and 1 1/2 inches tall.
• C6 Christmas lights: Smallest of the strawberry-shaped lights. Measures 3/4-inch in diameter and 1 1/8 inches tall.
• Twinkling Christmas lights: String lights flash on and off. Typically, 20 percent of the bulbs twinkle or flash randomly, and 80 percent of the bulbs stay on.

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Prepare to Install Christmas Lights

When learning how to hang Christmas lights, it helps to start with a clear decorating plan. This will ensure that the entire project flows smoothly.

• Map out a plan for lights: Pick a focal point to highlight, such as the front door or some other architectural feature like columns or eaves. Place your brightest lights, or a higher concentration of lights, on the areas you want to pull the most focus, and build out your plan from there.
• Consider light placements: String lights along some of the most commonly decorated areas such as along walkways or driveways, over landscape plants like hedges or trees, outlining the roofline or windows and door frames or wrapped around railings or posts.
• Choose the type of lights: Make sure the lights are rated for outdoor use. Incandescent lights offer a traditional warm glow, and there are now energy-efficient LED bulbs available in a choice of warm or cool glow. LED bulbs can provide significant energy and cost savings over the course of the entire holiday season.
• Choose the right Christmas light clips that fit your application: Adhesive clips are best for columns or railings, and universal clips are best for rooflines.
• Determine how many lights you need: Measure all the straight lines of the house and add them together. Remember to measure the distance to your power source.
• Pay attention to the connection limits light strands: Don’t connect more strands together than the directions recommend as this is a fire hazard.

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How to Hang Lights Outdoors

Show off your holiday spirit by decking out your home with Christmas lights. Follow these steps to get the job done.

• Test the lights. Be sure to test all the lights before installation. Replace any blown bulbs, be sure the light patterns work and, if you are using smart lights, connect them to your device to ensure that the controllers are operational.
• Plug the first strand into an extension cord to double-check that your lights can reach a power source.
• Attach lights to clips and start hanging.
• Slide rooftop lights in place, inserting the clips in the gutter or between the roof and shingles. Remember that universal clips work with both C7 and C9 bulbs, as well as mini lights, icicle lights and string lights.
• Use adhesive clips for windows, railings or columns.
• Peel the backing and adhere clips at an even distance.
• Attach lights into the clips.
• Install a smart plug to control the timing of your lights from an app on your smartphone.

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How to Install Christmas Lights on a Roof Peak

Hanging Christmas lights on a roof peak may be a challenge. You'll need a helper for this project. Here's how to hang Christmas lights on a roof peak safely:

• Do not attempt to install Christmas lights on your roof when it's rainy or snowy.
• Place an extension ladder securely against the side of your house and on level, firm ground. Have your partner hold the ladder to help keep it in place when you climb.
• Keep your hands free while you’re climbing your ladder. Use a tool belt or bag to hold all your supplies while you climb.
• Try using plastic clips instead of nails or staples. Plastic clips are the easiest way for hanging Christmas lights on the roof. You can also use a staple gun to hold them in place, but that will also make them more time consuming to remove after Christmas.

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How to Hang Icicle Lights

Icicle lights will transform your home into a magical winter wonderland. Here's how to hang icicle lights on your home:

• Untangle and lay out the lights.
• Use a clip to hang the lights along the gutter or shingles.
• Hang the lights pointing down.

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More Christmas Lights Hanging Tips

More tips for installing Christmas lights:

How to hang string lights outdoors without nails?

• The easiest method is to use plastic hooks and clips. They are inexpensive, easy to install and remove and hold all types of Christmas lights with ease.

How to put Christmas lights on a tree?

• For maximum coverage, try this method: Begin with the light strand at the base of a bottom branch next to the trunk of the tree. Pull the light strand towards you along the length of the branch to the tip, and pull the light strand back alongside the branch to the trunk. Take a step to the right and continue with the next branch at the same level. Bring the light strand along the length of each branch while circling the tree. When you complete a revolution around the tree, go up to the next highest branch and continue moving to the right, bringing the lights from the trunk to the tip of the branch and then back again, until you reach the top.

How to string Christmas tree lights?

• Most of the time, a single light strand won't be long enough for your needs. Holiday lights are designed to be connected, so you can make them as long as you need. Simply attach the male end of one the light strands to the female end.