Try these expert-backed tips to avoid tangled holiday lights that go beyond storage ideas.
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Plan Ahead
When installing string lights, start with a clear plan to avoid tangled wires and frustration. For trees or shrubs, begin at the bottom and string the lights in a zigzag pattern up and down, avoiding overlap. Once one section is complete, move to the next and repeat the process. This method keeps lights from crisscrossing and makes removal much easier. As Viands advises, “When taking lights down, take each line down individually,” Viands says. “Keep them separate, then put them away nice and neat.” Also, have a plan to store lights safely until next year.
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Splurge for Quality Lights
If using string lights, consider investing in professional or commercial-grade sets for a more reliable experience. “Better lights have better coatings and thicker wires that are less likely to get tangled,” Viands says. While they may have a higher upfront cost, these lights are designed to last longer. Vigue adds that commercial-grade lights can also be cut to length for a more professional-looking display. “You can custom-cut them to fit a specific length rather than being limited by standard lengths.”
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Try Shorter Lengths
String light lengths will vary depending on bulb spacing and size, but typically a 100-light strand is 50 ft. and 50-light strand are 25 feet. These shorter lengths are easier to keep untangled than long runs of lights with more bulbs and wire to get knotted. But, while easier to keep untangled, shorter lights can be more work to install than longer sets. “You’ll need more strands with more connection points that could potentially have an issue,” Vigue says.
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Buy Lights with Integrated Storage
Some string lights now come with integrated storage systems, making tangle-free storage a breeze. I have a set of string lights that I use for camping that unspool from an enclosed cylinder. When finished, I turn the included handle and the lights roll back onto the spool and neatly store away. This may not be realistic for a large holiday display, but can be used in smaller settings or isolated sections of your yard.
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Store Short Strands in a Ball
One of the best tangled holiday lights tips is to take the time to store them properly to avoid tangles in the first place. “There are a couple of different ways, and the best one will depend on how many linear feet you’re working with,” Vigue says. “For smaller strands that are 24 feet or less, you can use the ball of yarn approach. Wrap the strand two to three times around itself and then reverse directions until you get to the end. You’re left with a nice, neat ball that’s easy to store and install next year.”
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Store Longer Strands in Large Loops
For longer strands, Vigue prefers to layer the strands in large loops inside a plastic tote with cardboard or newspaper dividers between each layer. “When we do a large loop it’s for roofline lighting with very long linear feet of 100 feet or larger,” she says. There are also numerous DIY methods for storing string lights of any length, most of which involve wrapping the lights around an object, such as a plastic coat hanger, notched cardboard or a wrapping paper tube. You can also purchase a light storage reel.
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Use Net Lighting
Net lighting is great for DIY homeowners looking for a fast, easy way to decorate foundation shrubs and trees. Faster than hanging lights by hand, net lights are also less prone to tangling. Because the lights are attached to a netted structure, they stay separated and can be laid flat or folded neatly for tangle-free storage.
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Select Integrated String Lights
Another tangled holiday lights tip is to buy integrated string lights instead of lights with socket bulbs that protrude from the wire. This streamlined design prevents snarls caused by bulb sockets getting caught on each other. The only downside to integrated string lights is that you can’t replace a single bulb like you can a socket light. But, if tangle-free lights are your goal, consider integrated string lights.
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Install Rope Lights
Similar to integrated lights, rope lights also lack external bulbs for a more streamlined design that resists tangling. Additionally, rope lights are encased in a durable, plastic sheathing that also inhibits snags and snarls. Rope lights are often available in long lengths, making them great for roof and porch lines.
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Consider Pre-Lit Trees, Wreaths and Decorations
Instead of wrestling with string lights, consider using pre-lit trees and decorations that come with lights attached. A single plug carries light throughout the tree or decoration. I love my pre-lit tree and do not miss the hassle of hand-stringing lights onto each branch, then removing and storing them at the end of each season. Vigue’s company relies on the convenience of pre-lit wreaths and garlands for its exterior displays.
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Apply Strip Lights
LED strip lights consist of a flexible ribbon of circuit boards with attached LED lights. Commonly used for under cabinet lighting, strip lights are also available in holiday colors and exterior ratings. Strip lights are lightweight, can be cut to length and attach easily with clips or adhesive. Due to their thin, flat structure and streamlined design, these lights are also less likely to tangle.
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Explore Lighting Alternatives
String lights are not the only way to decorate for the holidays, and lots of lighting alternatives exist that never get tangled. Spotlights, light projectors and battery or solar-powered lanterns and lights are all tangle-free ways to provide holiday lighting. Holiday light projectors are such a simple way to add festive cheer to your home’s exterior, and often have several image options from which to choose.
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Hire a pro
A foolproof way to avoid tangled holiday lights is to hire a professional outdoor lighting company to do it for you. These all-inclusive companies lease you lights, plan and install your display, maintain the lights throughout the season, then disassemble and store the lights for the remainder of the year. This not only guarantees skipping tangled holiday lights, but is safer, too. “It’s risky installing lights, especially decorating homes with higher peaks and rooflines,” Vigue says.
FAQ
Does it matter how tightly I wrap my LED Christmas lights for storage?
Aim for a firm wrap without stretching or pulling the strand. “Be careful not to wrap them too tight as to break the wires,” Viands says. “You just want to keep lights in place while in storage and prevent knots from forming.”
How can I quickly untangle Christmas lights that are already a mess?
Unfortunately, there are no hacks to quickly untangle Christmas lights. “Untangling lights is always a pretty annoying and long process,” Viands says. Vigue agrees, and adds that shaking tangled lights to loosen tangles, then working from one end is the best method. “It still takes a lot of patience and struggle,” she adds.
About the Experts
- Dustin Viands is the owner of Renew Holiday Lights in West Hatfield, Massachusetts, an all-inclusive holiday lighting display company.
- Melinda Vigue is co-owner of Holiday Lighting by J&M, a Connecticut‑based full‑service residential and commercial Christmas light installation company.
