Outdoor Christmas Lights

With all the varieties of outdoor outdoor christmas lights available, choosing the perfect ones for your decorating project can be a challenge. Here is a guide to the difference between the styles and the most effective ways to use them.

MINIATURE “MINI” CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS

Mini lights were introduced in the 1970’s as a solution to the excessive power consumed by C7 and C9 lights. Their lower wattage, brilliant sparkle and diversity make them an ever popular choice.

The quality of Christmas tree mini lights will dictate the life of the bulbs; the less expensive the string, the shorter the life. Inexpensive string lights only last about 300 hours, plan on replacing them every year. The better quality mini lights can last up 2,000 hours but will cost you more.

Most Christmas tree mini lights come in strands of 50 or 100 bulbs but other choices are available. Some string lights are designed to stay lit even if a bulb burns out (this is called “wired in parallel”). Be sure and replace the burned bulb promptly as the voltage to the remaining bulbs will increase and reduce the life of the string lights.

DECORATING WITH CHRISTMAS TREE MINI LIGHTS

The important thing to remember with incandescent Christmas tree lights is to never connect more than three strings together.

Mini lights are suitable for both indoor and outdoor decorating. They are mostly used in indoor trees, outdoor shrubs, around tree trunks, as window borders and as accents to other decorations. Basically anytime a large amount of small points of light are needed for the desired affect.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN C7 and C9 LIGHTS

C7 and C9 bulbs are generally considered traditional outdoor Christmas lights. Their large size makes them easily visible and bright.

The difference between C7 and C9 bulbs is mainly the size of the bulb and the wattage. They are available in either 2,000 hour life (120V) or 3,000 hour life (130V). C7 light bulbs are about 2 inches while C9 light bulbs are about 3 inches. The wattage varies anywhere from 3.5 watts up to 10 watts depending on the bulb size.

C7 and C9 lights use screw type sockets so bulb replacement is easy.

DECORATING WITH C7 & C9 LIGHTS

Because these lights are large, they make an excellent choice for decorating large outdoor trees and shrubs, building perimeters, fences or anywhere that a “classic” holiday look is desired.

Once again, you can only connect up to three strings together at once.

ROPE LIGHTS

Rope lights are the “new kid on the block” in holiday light choices. Essentially rope lights are just mini lights encased in a PVC jacket. There are a multitude of colors available and a variety of lengths making them an easy and affordable choice. Retail stores generally sell them in lengths of 3, 6 and 8 feet. Rope lights can also be purchased in spools of 50 and 150 feet for larger projects. Rope lights sold in spools can be field cut at 3 or 6 foot intervals for custom looks and designs.

DECORATING WITH ROPE LIGHTS

Rope lights are an excellent choice for creating figures, designs and as accents for walkways, handrails and borders. Their flexibility makes them perfect for creating shapes like snowmen, reindeer, wreaths and the like. They are limited only by your imagination.

One thing to note with rope lights is that if one bulb burns out, then a section anywhere from 3 to 6 feet will also burn out. If you have a long continuous run you can splice in a new length. If you’ve purchased short lengths then the entire rope light will have to be replaced.

The quality of the rope light will determine its dependability, so as you evaluate your choices bear in mind that the less expensive rope lights may have to be replaced much sooner than their more expensive counterparts.

Decorating with lights is the most effective way to create a festive atmosphere any time of the year. We’re all accustomed to seeing Christmas lights in the winter and Halloween lights in fall, but string lights can be used for any special occasion. Select the right string lights for your project and you’ll be pleased with the brilliance and sparkle they give to any holiday or event.

Creatively Decorating the Outside of the Home With Christmas Luminaries.

Making simple tin can luminaries is a wonderful way of adding a cozy, homemade feeling to your outdoor area and are a great craft you can do yourself. Put them in groups scattered around the landscaping, on either side of the front door, or line a path or the walkway to the door for a truly festive touch.

The supplies you will need for making your own tin can luminaries are:

- Candles
- Cardboard
- Hammer
- Nail
- Newspaper
- Paint brush
- Pencil
- Tin cans
- Various Christmas cookie cutters such as a star, Christmas tree, and bell
- White paint

To make the luminaries:

1. First, wash the cans and remove the labels, then dry completely.

2. Paint the outside of all the cans with white paint, allowing it to dry thoroughly.

3. Apply two more coats, waiting between each for the paint to dry.

4. Next is time to add the shapes using the cookie cutter of your choice and the pencil to trace around the edges onto the front of a can. Choose shapes that are relatively simple, such as a Christmas tree, bell, or star for the best results, and add extra lines drawn freehand to signify snow if you like.

5. Stuff the cans as much as possible with newspaper and cardboard after tracing the designs in order to help them retain their shape while punching the holes through.

6. Now use the nail and hammer to punch holes through the cans, placing the nail’s point directly on the penciled line before firmly tapping it with the hammer until you have broken completely through. For larger holes, keep tapping the nail through until it reaches its roundest and largest point. Alternately, for smaller holes, just let the very tip of the nail enter the tin. Try to space the holes evenly apart at regular intervals for the neatest results.

7. After finishing the holes, inspect the cans to see that there are no scratched areas where the paint will need to be touched up a bit.

8. After the touch-up coat has dried, place the candles inside your new luminaries using a long-tipped match to reach down in for lighting. Tea lights will burn out after only an hour, so choose larger votives to keep your decorations aglow for an entire winter’s evening.

Start a new holiday tradition that everyone will come to love year after year and create a new luminary for each season, punching the new year into the can, or simply painting the number on the can’s bottom. Now, your visitors will have no trouble at all finding their way to your home this Christmas Eve as your beautiful luminaries will be lighting their path.

How to hang outdoor Christmas lights is a big ordeal for a lot of people. Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and laughter, but the whole process of putting up outdoor Christmas lights kills a lot of the fun. You should have some basic idea about how to put hang outdoor Christmas lights, so you can enjoy this as much as other yuletide activities.

Hanging outdoor Christmas lights is not necessarily a difficult task. Take a look at our tips to simplify the job and make it a fun filled activity.

1. Plan early. Before Christmas is knocking on the door, you should know what exactly you want to do with your outdoor Christmas lights. If it snows and gets really cold where you live, start thinking about it right from the end of August, when the weather is still comfortable. A good idea is to hang icicle lights around the top of your house. For this, you have to screw in hooks under the roof. If you do that, you can put up the lights in a few minutes and there’s no way you can make a mess of things. This is also applicable if you want lights around your porch or deck.
2. You would do well to put up the lights as early as October or November when it’s not that cold. When the holiday season is around the corner, you can fit in a timer and turn them on.
3. You can teach your kids how to hang outdoor Christmas lights. They can do all the untangling while you do the actual job of putting the lights up. If the hooks are in place, putting up the outdoor Christmas lights is a piece of cake. Put the wires over the hook and they will stay in position; there will be no risk of damaging the lights.
4. From time to time, you will need to change the hooks (they are prone to rusting). But you surely don’t have to do that every year. Let the hooks be after the holiday season too. You can use them again the year coming.
5. Measurements are important. You need to have at least a rough idea about the measurements of your home so you have enough lights to decorate the space.
6. Make sure to test your lights before hanging them.
7. Get all the tools you need. These include a tape measure, pliers, a hammer and a ladder to complete the job.
8. Your ladder needs to be planted on flat ground. It is better and safer to have someone hold it when you are up on it.

Hang the lights along eaves. Take your time and be careful not to damage your home walls. If you want lights attached to your gutter, use plastic clips. These will stick with the gutter and hold the lights and extension cord.

Mini Lights: Decorating with Pink Mini Lights

Why not try pink as your color theme this Christmas season - or for your next party or room decorating project. Pink is warm, fun and an easy color to get along with. Fortunately, trends in Christmas light manufacture can satisfy a penchant for pink.

Pink is an amazing color - invigorating and refreshing. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t smile in the presence of this powerful pastel. Even on the gloomiest days, its refreshing and cheerful. When you wear the right pink, it lights up your face like someone with a gauze covered spotlight is following you around the supermarket. Naturally, I had to test this color’s power with some pink mini lights and here are a few ideas on how to use this romantic color.

Accent your dinner parties with pink lighting

Consider adorning your dining room sideboard with pink mini lights for soft and complexion-enhancing light. Fill a couple of large glass vases with light sets and place them on a buffet or side table. Wrap an indoor palm or ficus to create a glowing architectural accent. Use Pink light strings to decorate a birthday party

I think it’s safe to say that most girls love the color pink. Create a princess wonderland for a girl’s birthday party with pink mini lights draped around the dining room ceiling, around the gift table, and around the cake table. Intertwine them with white tulle for a special touch around the birthday girls’ chair at the table. She’ll feel like a princess all day long and the party will create memories she won’t soon forget. Use thumbtacks to create the birthday girl’s name in an outline of pink mini lights on a backyard fence.

Pink Lights Make a Pretty Bedroom

A girl’s bedroom is the perfect place to light up with pink. Use them to gracefully outline the canopy above her bed or accent the mirror on her dressing table. Add some artwork to the walls - castles, dragons, toe shoes - and your theme will come together.

Check your local craft stores for new easy to transfer appliques that are becoming available. Use light as part of a plan to organize your daughter’s room. Throw some pink light on her beloved stuffed animals by accenting some shelves that you can install high on the wall. Line the toys up among the light sets. She’ll enjoy seeing them in the evening before she falls asleep. And you’ll enjoy not rearranging them 5 times a day. LED mini lights are a great choice for this application since they stay cool - only rising one degree in operation. (Otherwise, for conventional Christmas lights put them on a timer.)

Don’t forget that grown up bedrooms need a little romantic light as well! Try using rosy pink mini lights to set the tone in the budoir. Use them in large glass containers filled with tulle or use them to provide indirect lighting on top of bookcases and behind headboards.

Pink Mini lights for Christmas

Mini lights of several colors are seen during the Christmas holiday. Why not use pink mini lights on your white or green Christmas tree this year? Compliment your pink light strands with white pearls, bows, and ornaments. It will be an exciting tree that your Christmas guests will envy.

Don’t let your pink flamingo yard ornament go unaccessorized this Christmas season. Go pink for Christmas and enjoy the glow.

Decorating Outdoors with Pink Mini Lights

Wrap your trees with pink mini lights to celebrate a birthday - especially a sweet 16. The unexpected color - usually one would expect clear - will be cause for conversation. Mixing in a few red mini lights would make a great surprise for a backyard Valentines party.

Whether indoors or outdoors, pink mini lights are a great economical way to think outside of the lines when it comes to adding a little color to Christmas or next week’s private picnic for 2.

Christmas lights give life to our Christmas decorations and they come in a huge selection of styles and prices. If you’re not careful, your hard-earned pennies will go fast in just spending money on decorating.

Using these views, simple steps on outdoor lighting will save you time and money. To begin with, you need to compute the area where the Christmas lights will be used. Start with measuring the exact length of the area you will place the lights and then add a few inches to allow for power outlets. Measuring the length that you need as well as the distance to the power outlet is a good place to start.

If you’re putting Christmas lights on your tree, take a tape measure and measure the circumference. Determine how many lights exist in a string and from this you can compute how many strings you will need. Let’s assume that you need 70 feet of Christmas lights around your tree and each string is 10 feet in length. Seventy divided by ten equals seven strings of lights.

Try to find a shorter strand of lights so one can be easily replaced if damage occurs. Decide what type of Christmas lights you need by knowing the purpose of the light. Are they going to be used outdoors or indoors? Shop online if you’re unsure of what you want. You want to look for plug styles, strand types and bulb designs.

Each bulb comes in different shapes and sizes and colors, and they will need to be coordinated with your decorations. Selecting Christmas outdoor lighting is fun and enjoyable, and you should take a day or so to just do this.

Remember that Christmas bulbs vary in number depending on the bulbs per strand. The package usually indicates the number of bulbs on a strand. Because the illumination of your decoration will depend on wattage and the number of bulbs you will use, you need to check the wattage of your bulbs.

Bulbs can give you different lighting effects, where some have a steady glow while others blink in different ways, so selecting the right one is important. Strings of lights can come with parallel or series wiring.

If you bust the bulb on the parallel string, all the other lights will continue to stay lit, whereas with the parallel wiring, if one light goes out all the others do as well. To get the best deal when it comes to Christmas outdoor lighting, it’s best to comparison-shop.

Here’s some safety tips when it comes to putting up your Christmas outdoor lighting. Make sure your outlets are GFCI approved and installed by a certified electrician. Confirm with the manufacturer that the lights you’ve chosen are for outdoor and not indoor use.

Try to not use indoor extension cords when outdoor extension cords are required. Keep any electrical connections out of snow/puddles, and insert bulbs into sockets so that the sockets point down.

Before you replace any bulbs, make sure that you unplugged the string first. Never decorate an outdoor tree if it’s close to power lines or if there’s a chance of touching them. Remember to inspect the wires on your outdoor Christmas lights for any wear spots, especially if they are older. Using just a bit of common sense when it comes to installing your Christmas decorations will go along way for your safety and peace of mind.

Most of all, comparison-shop and use the Internet to your advantage.

Every year I feel the Ghost of Christmas Past looking over my shoulder in the form of Clark Griswold as I prepare to put up our outdoor Christmas light display. There’s always the hidden panic that, as good old Clark found out, all that effort may be wasted due to one lousy bad strand. Or in my case, no matter how politically correct it may be, two male plugs face to face with each other is definitely not a good thing, if you get my drift.

So this year, in the hopes of having a stress and incident-free outing, I did a little advance planning. First, I checked all the bulbs for “life” while still indoors. Now, you may say “duh” to this seemingly obvious idea. But, let me tell you, I have been known to string a strand with less than half the boys blinking and on the coldest afternoon of the year to boot. One year when the kids were young I spent all day on the cold metal ladder. I had so many layers on I looked like a homeless guy. What kept me going was those three wet little noses pressed against the window panes, and the muffled voices saying “pwitty, daddy……vewwy pwitty.” It took hours to thaw out, but it was well worth it.

And this year I went high tech (for me, at least) and invested in one of those auto-timers, so the feet didn’t freeze off at bedtime, running out to pull the plug. Now, I felt ready to take on the Griswold curse.

More good news is that with the mild weather I was even able to do a little Zen-like roof sitting, gazing at the geese honking by in search of water, waving at a neighbor or two, and sipping on a locally brewed product. Somehow, you say, roof work and imbibing may not be a good idea? True, but one couldn’t hurt. After all, ’tis the season to be jolly, right?

As I enjoyed this moment, I wondered…just how did this Christmas lights thing get started. Some say that lights hark back to the pagan rituals of staving off the cold and darkness of winter. Or do we brighten our homes to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, you know, the one those Wise Guys couldn’t take their eyes off way back when? Maybe it is because of the proximity in time with Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. Or is it all just a cruel plot arranged by foreign countries to boost their gross national product by foisting products guaranteed to blow out at least one fuse every 10 days or so, forcing this consumer to revisit the gutter display, testing for the elusive burnt out bugger.

I think I prefer the idea that stems from the real reason for this season.

Maybe, the grand illumination is simply our way of welcoming the Light of the World into our households.

Whatever the origin, there is somebody who appreciated my effort, at least for the most part. This past holiday, little Emma was in town. We were looking at the blow-up Santa with his arm around his favorite reindeer. She turned to me and smiled. Then came that quizzical look she does so well, crinkling her brow and turning up her lower lip.

“Hey, Pawpaw….where’s his swed? On the wuuf? At the Norf Poe? I think we need a swed, Pawpaw,” said the small critic, with great authority.

So. Anybody know where I can find a good blow-up “swed?”

Christmas is a great time for getting together with family, decorating and enjoying the holiday season. Decorating your home (both inside and out) has become a popular family tradition and many households spend countless hours and unlimited amounts of money making their homes look great for the holidays.

If you’re thinking of decorating your home this season but aren’t quite sure what will look nice, you may want to check out our list of the top 5 most popular Christmas light colours of the season. The colours you choose will have the greatest impact on the overall look of your home, so make sure you choose carefully.

Here are the top 5 Christmas light colours this year:

1. Red. Obviously red is going to be a popular colour at Christmas time. You can’t go wrong by choosing red Christmas lights but you’ll probably want to mix the red lights with another colour. Too much red will make your house look too bright and too tacky. Adding one more colour (preferably green or clear) will enhance the red lights and make your home look holiday ready in no time.

2. Green. Much like red Christmas lights, green Christmas lights have always been and will always be a popular choice for this season. Also similar to the red, green lights should be paired with a complimentary colour so that your home doesn’t look too overdone with green lights. Once again, pairing the green with red lights or clear lights will be the perfect touch for your holiday style.

3. Clear. Clear Christmas lights (or white lights as some prefer to call them) are a classic and simple way to make your home look seasonal and elegant. Clear lights look fantastic on their own but can also be paired with any other colour (green, red, blue, gold, purple and multi-coloured) to spice up the look.

4. Blue. Blue Christmas lights are quickly becoming one of the most popular decorative themes of the holiday season. While blue doesn’t typically represent Christmas in any specific manner (like red or green), these lights are a great way to make your home look sophisticated and seasonal. Pair the blue lights with either clear or gold lights for an even more extravagant look that will knock your neighbour’s socks off.

5. Gold. Gold is a traditional Christmas colour that exudes elegance and sophistication. Gold Christmas lights are no different. If you want to give your home a classic, traditional Christmas feel without going over the top, gold lights are the perfect choice. If you think too much gold is tacky, we suggest pairing them with either blue, clear or red lights.

We hope our holiday tips have helped you through your decorating decisions. And remember, decorating your home lets your neighbours know that you and your family embrace the Christmas spirit. Hopefully your neighbours will spread a little holiday cheer of their own.

When it comes to the need to buy outdoor Christmas lights, do not be left without anything in your hand. Each year at Christmas time, you probably purchase decorations and gifts. You probably shop very early for these things.

This will give you the right gift and usually gets you a good deal at the same time. If you are lucky you will not have to worry about shopping at the last minute for gifts. Yet, one mistake that many people make is actually not purchasing their Christmas lights in time. If you do not purchase them at the right time, there could be a number of problems that you face!

Be Unique But Be Quick in Picking

Perhaps you may not be interested in purchasing the standard multicolored lights and would like to find something new and exciting.

If you are looking for something special to add to your home, then you will need to consider looking for these earlier rather than later. The fact is that you will need to compete with those around you to find the perfect look and style. If you want the very best that is available and you want it to be unique, you have to have a plan of action to buy Christmas lights.

Buy Christmas Lights Online

One of the many things that you can do when looking to buy Christmas lights is to use the internet to help you. You can do so much of your shopping online and you do not have to worry about not getting what you want.

The fact is, if you want to buy Christmas lights and you want them to be unique, then you are going to need to find the best resources to sell them to you, which is the web. If you want a specific look or color, this is the place to find them.

Shopping for your favorite Christmas decorations and gifts is a fun part of the holiday season but if you do not want to miss out on the festivities of the holiday season through lighting, be sure to plan your attack much earlier.

To buy Christmas lights, use the web to help you. You are likely to find the same brands and colors but with unique colors and styles to choose from.

What’s more you may spend less when shopping for your high end lights at the web instead of looking to buy Christmas lights from limited supplies locally.

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Everything You Ever Needed To Know About Christmas lights Online. We have put together some great articles to help you find the perfect christmas lights.

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