How To Hang Christmas Lights Outdoors

Make a Plan

• Choose what you want to highlight with your Christmas lights.
  • A window, archway or tree draws viewer attention.
• Select colors that complement each other and match what you have left over from last year.
  • LED lights are more energy efficient than incandescent, and you can string more of them together.
• Decide the bulb style depending on where you plan to put them.
  • Large C9 lights look great on rooflines, while icicle lights are better for eaves.

Pro tip: When joining two strands of lights, wrap electrical tape around the connection to keep out rain and snow and prevent them from separating.

Ally Childress for Family handyman

Measure

• Measure windows, rooflines and walkways, then add the numbers together.
  • Include the distance to your power source, or use extension cords or power stakes.
  • Before buying your lights, read the packaging and online descriptions for length and light spacing. They’re not all the same.
• Estimate coverage on bushes, or buy one to two net lights per bush.
  • Too many lights look better than too few.
  • I used one 100-count string of mini lights per small rosebush.
• Measure the circumference of tree trunks you’ll wrap with string or tailor’s tape, as well as the height.
  • Divide the height by the desired spacing (in feet) and multiply by the circumference (in feet).
  • Four inches (0.33 feet) between wraps is a nice spacing for wrapping lights around tree trunks.
  • Estimate coverage for pine trees at a rate of 100 lights per foot of height. Adjust amount for larger or smaller trees, and different bulb styles.

Ally Childress for Family handyman

Test the Lights

• Plug in every strand of lights before you start to make sure they work.
• Check the colors and any flashing effects to be sure they’re what you expect.
  • LED lights and incandescent lights have different hues, even if they’re the same color.

Ally Childress for Family handyman

Start From the Power Source

• Visualize or draw the path your lights will take from the power source to the last strand of lights.
  • Backtracking or jumping from one place to another unnecessarily disrupts the overall look.
• Lay out the extension cord and make sure it will reach to your first planned light area.
  • Or start from a hidden outlet if you have one — say, one in the backyard that won’t be visible from the front.
• Never string together more lights than recommended on the package. You risk damaging the lights or overloading the circuit.

Hang Christmas Lights From the Roof

• Purchase roof clips that match the style and size of bulb you’re hanging. Universal clips are a good choice.
• Safely place your extension ladder on the side of your house.
  • Use a 4:1 rise-to-run ratio. That means for every four feet in height, count off one foot from the wall.
• Attach clips to lights first for easy spacing, or climb your ladder and slide the clips onto your gutters or shingles.

Ally Childress for Family handyman

• • Check the instructions on the package for the recommended way to do this.
  • Carry extra clips in your tool pouch.
• Attach the lights to your gutters or shingles.
  • If possible, have a helper on the ground feed you the lights as you climb.
• Move the ladder every few feet and always keep your body between the ladder rungs. Never reach!

Ally Childress for Family handyman

Wrap Christmas Lights Around Trees

• Bring an extension cord to the tree and use a power stake if needed.
• Start at the bottom and wrap the trunk and branches with lights.
  • Maintain the spacing you planned for earlier so you don’t run out of lights.
• Add lights to pine trees by starting at the base of the trunk and working your way around the perimeter and up.
  • For tall pine trees, a light-hanging pole with hook can help.

Ally Childress for Family handyman

Drape Christmas Lights Around Bushes

• Drape the net lights over the bushes according to your plan.
• Or nestle string lights in the branches of the bushes. Learn to hang outdoor string lights.
  • Start from the back and try to space the lights evenly on all branches.

Ally Childress for Family handyman

Hang Christmas Lights Around Windows

• Clean your window frames or windows as directed on the package of detachable decorating clips.
• Hang clips around the perimeter of the window and allow to set up. (It usually takes about an hour.)
  • Check the package to make sure the clips can handle your climate. The brand above will hold to minus-20 degrees.
  • In severely cold climates, consider hanging lights on the insides of windows.
• Attach the light strands to the clips, pulling the strands taut. If your lights aren’t working, then try changing the fuse in Christmas lights.

Ally Childress for Family handyman