How to Hang Christmas Lights

Whether you’re just looking to hang some simple strands around your banisters, or you’re going for the most impressive lightshow on the block, it’s worth taking a moment to plan your approach to  hanging your Christmas lights.

Before you haul that box down from the attic and start plugging things in willy-nilly, there’s a few important things to keep in mind about Christmas lights installation. We’ll take you through a complete guide to how to hang Christmas lights on your house.

Choosing the right Christmas lights
Preparing to hang your lights
Tips for Christmas light safety
Hanging Christmas lights outdoors
Hanging Christmas lights indoors

Choose the right Christmas lights

When it comes to Christmas light installation, you can make several choices to suit your own space and style. Here’s what to consider before you start hanging:

• 1

  Types of Christmas lights

  • Incandescent vs. LED Lights: Incandescent lights may have that warm, nostalgic glow, but LEDs are energy-saving champions. LEDs also last longer and are cooler to the touch, making them a better option for Christmas light safety and longevity.
  • C9 vs. Mini Lights: Looking for big, bold bulbs or more of an ethereal, twinkling effect? C9 lights are larger and more noticeable from the street, while mini lights offer a more delicate look, great for trees and bushes.
  • Net Lights, Icicle Lights, and Rope Lights: Each of these styles has its specialty. Net lights are perfect for draping over bushes, icicle lights give a fun dripping effect along your roofline, and rope lights are fantastic for outlining windows or walkways.
• 2

  Location

  Will you be hanging the Christmas lights indoors or outdoors? Are you more interested in the clean ambiance of all-white lights, or are you looking for the playful vibe of colorful multi-lights? Is the spot you’re choosing hard to reach, making battery or solar-powered lights the better choice? It’s important to think about not only where the lights will go, but the aura you want them to cast once you get them there.

Prepare to hang your lights

You wouldn’t build a snowman without mittens, and you wouldn’t want to start hanging Christmas lights without a plan! Preparing ahead of time will save you from frustration and make the process go smoothly.

• 1

  Measure

  Walk around your house and measure where you plan to hang your lights, whether it’s along the roofline, around windows, or in the yard. Knowing how many feet of lights you need will prevent last-minute trips to the store.

• 2

  Sketch it out

  A quick sketch of your lighting plan can help you stay organized and make sure you’ve covered every corner. Are you wrapping trees or bushes? Adding lights along the driveway? Visualizing your display helps it all come together.

• 3

  Check electrical sources

  Make sure you have enough power outlets near your planned light locations. If not, you might need to add some extension cords or adjust your plan slightly.

• 4

  Check electrical sources

  Once your holiday lights display is mapped out, it’s time to gather your tools and supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Outdoor-rated extension cords
  • Timers (to automate your light display)
  • Light clips
  • Adhesive hooks
  • Ladder
  • Gloves
  • Eye protection
  • Extra bulbs and fuses

Tips for Christmas light safety

Safety first! Before you get too caught up in creating a magical winter wonderland, let’s make sure you’re staying safe while hanging your lights. Nothing ruins holiday cheer like a trip to the ER, so keep the following important Christmas light safety tips in mind:

Inspect your lights

Before you hang anything, check each strand of lights for frayed wires, cracked bulbs, or any other signs of wear and tear. Damaged lights can be a fire hazard, so toss any strands that look questionable.

Use outdoor-rated extension cords

If you’re lighting up the outside of your home, make sure you’re using extension cords rated for outdoor use. Indoor cords aren’t designed to handle the weather, which could lead to short circuits or worse.

Don’t overload outlets

Be mindful of how many lights you plug into each outlet. Overloading your circuits can cause them to trip or even start a fire. As a general rule, try to keep each outlet to three strands of lights or fewer, depending on their wattage.

Ladder safety

If you’re hanging lights outdoors or in high places, use a sturdy ladder, and have a buddy with you to hold it steady. Never stand on the top step, and keep both feet on the ladder at all times. If you need to reach higher, reposition the ladder instead of overreaching.

Hanging Christmas lights outdoors

Now that you’re prepared, start lighting up the night. Outdoor displays make your home sparkle and can inspire a little extra admiration from the neighbors, but they come with their own challenges. Follow these steps for safe and effective outdoor Christmas lights installation:

Roofline and gutter installation:

• 1

  Start from the Power Source

  Begin by plugging your first strand of lights into the outlet, then work your way outward. This ensures you won’t run out of cord or end up with an awkward gap. Plus, you’ll be able to see that it’s a working strand of lights; there’s nothing worse than hanging a line of lights only to plug it in and find out it’s not working.

• 2

  Use Light Clips

  Gutter clips are ideal for hanging Christmas lights along the roofline or gutters. These handy little tools keep your lights in place without damaging your home’s exterior.

• 3

  Avoid Nails or Staples

  Never use nails, screws, or staples to hang lights. They can damage your home’s siding or shingles and even create fire hazards if they puncture the wiring.

• 4

  Spacing Matters

  Be consistent with spacing for a clean, professional look. A good rule of thumb is to place light clips about 12 inches apart.

Wrapping trees and bushes:

• 1

  Choose the Right Lights

  Mini lights or net lights work best for wrapping trees and bushes. Mini lights give you flexibility in wrapping trunks and branches, while net lights are designed for easy coverage of bushes.

• 2

  Wrap Evenly

  Start at the base of the tree trunk and work your way up, spacing lights evenly as you go. For bushes, simply drape net lights over the top and tuck in any loose edges to secure them.

• 3

  Don’t Overload

  If you’re using multiple strands for trees or large areas, be careful not to overload your outlets. Use separate extension cords for different sections of your yard if needed.

Hanging Christmas lights indoors

Why stop at the front porch? Keep the cozy, festive atmosphere going by taking the Christmas light party indoors. Here’s how to get it right: 

• 1

  Windows

  Use adhesive hooks or suction cups to hang lights around windows without damaging the frames. For a traditional look, outline the window with a single strand of lights. For extra flair, try icicle or curtain lights for a cascading effect.

• 2

  Mantles

  Drape lights along your mantle, mixing them in with garland or stockings for a classic holiday vibe. Battery-operated lights work great here because you won’t need to worry about hiding cords.

• 3

  Staircases

  Wrap lights around the banister for a whimsical touch. Pair them with some greenery for an even more festive look. Again, use adhesive hooks to avoid damaging the wood.

Energy efficiency tips

Holiday lights displays can burn through a lot of power, so it’s important to make your display as energy efficient as possible. Keep your electricity bill from climbing higher than your rooftop lights while still achieving a festive glow:

Switch to LED lights

If you haven’t already made the switch to LEDs, now’s the time! LED Christmas lights use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, plus they last much longer and stay cool to the touch.

Use timers

It’s easy to forget to turn off your Christmas lights when you’re headed to bed, so timers are a simple way to save energy without even thinking about it. Set them to turn your lights on when it gets dark and turn off late at night, so you’re not burning electricity while everyone’s asleep.

Consider solar-powered lights

Solar-powered Christmas lights are a great option for outdoor displays if you want to go green. They absorb sunlight during the day and automatically light up at night, meaning no extra energy usage or extension cords to manage!

Strategic placement

You don’t need to light up every single corner of your home to make a statement. Focus on key areas like the roofline, windows, and a few trees or bushes to create a beautiful, energy-efficient display without overdoing it.

Troubleshooting common light issues

The holidays are all about joy and togetherness — so don’t let a few technical difficulties dim your holiday cheer! Use these simple fixes for the most common Christmas light problems:

How to find and replace broken bulbs

If you notice part of a strand isn’t lighting up, it could be due to a single broken bulb. Unplug the strand and check each bulb to find the culprit. If you can’t find the faulty bulb, try using a light tester (available at most hardware stores). Once it’s located, simply replace it with a matching bulb, and you’re back in business!

Troubleshooting a blown fuse

Blown fuses are a common issue when too many lights are connected to a single power source. If your lights suddenly go out, check the fuse box on the plug. You’ll usually find a spare fuse in the plug housing itself. Replace the blown fuse, and if the problem persists, try redistributing your lights to different outlets.

What to do if part of a strand goes out

If only part of your light strand is working, you likely have a loose or broken bulb somewhere in the middle. Unplug the strand and carefully check each bulb connection to make sure none are loose. If the problem remains, it may be time to retire that strand and invest in a new one — especially if it’s an older set of incandescent lights.

Strategic placement

You don’t need to light up every single corner of your home to make a statement. Focus on key areas like the roofline, windows, and a few trees or bushes to create a beautiful, energy-efficient display without overdoing it.

FAQ

How many Christmas lights should I use for my tree/roofline?

A good rule of thumb is to use about 100 lights for every foot of tree height if you’re decorating a Christmas tree. For rooflines, measure the length and plan on using about 50-75 lights per 10 feet for a balanced look.

Can I leave my holiday lights up all year?

While tempting, it’s not a great idea to leave lights up year-round, especially if they’re designed for holiday use. Constant exposure to the elements can wear them out faster, and you’ll lose that “special occasion” magic. However, solar-powered or year-round outdoor string lights are designed to handle long-term exposure.

What should I do if it rains after hanging outdoor lights?

As long as you’re using outdoor-rated lights and extension cords, they should be safe in rainy weather. However, avoid hanging them in areas that could flood, and make sure plugs are elevated off the ground to prevent water from pooling around them.

Are there alternatives to traditional string lights?

Yes! Projector lights, laser displays, and inflatable decorations with built-in lights are popular alternatives. They can cover large areas with minimal effort and are especially handy if you don’t want to spend hours on ladders.

Happy Holidays from Frontdoor^®

By now, you’re ready to transform your home into a glowing holiday wonderland. From choosing the perfect lights to safely hanging them indoors and outdoors, you’ve learned everything about how to hang Christmas lights.

If you run into any challenges or just want some extra guidance, there’s no need to stress. Download the Frontdoor app, and with the tap of a button, you can video chat with an Expert who can walk you through your project step-by-step. Let Frontdoor be your app of choice for home repair and maintenance advice this holiday season and beyond.

For even more tips and guidance this season, check out our blog, where you can find everything from holiday prep advice to guides on winterizing your home.