Christmas Lights Outdoor Buying Guide

Christmas is a time to celebrate the joys of the season with family and friends. One of the most enjoyable parts of the holiday is decorating your home with beautiful Christmas lights. Outdoor Christmas lights can transform your home into a festive winter wonderland. But with so many options available, how do you know what to choose? This Christmas lights outdoor buying guide will help you select the best lights for your home and style.

Types of Outdoor Christmas Lights

Before selecting Christmas lights for your home, you need to know the different types of outdoor Christmas lights available. There are several varieties of lights, with varying features and purposes. The most common types of outdoor Christmas lights include:

• LED lights: These are the most energy-efficient lights and last longer than traditional incandescent lights. They are also the brightest and come in various colours and styles.
• White Lights: These lights cast a warm, traditional glow and are perfect for a classic Christmas display.
• Multicolour Lights: These lights are perfect for those who want a bright, colourful display. They come in a variety of colour combinations.
• Icicle Lights: These lights hang down in strings, looking like icicles. They are great for outlining roofs and other areas that need a touch of winter.
• Net Lights: These lights are strung together in a mesh pattern and are great for covering large areas like bushes and hedges.
• Projectors: These lights project images onto your home, such as snowflakes, reindeer, and other festive designs.

Choosing the Right Size

The size of your outdoor Christmas lights is an essential factor to consider. The right size will depend on the area of your home you want to decorate. If you are decorating trees, bushes and other small areas, then small string lights would be the best option. For larger areas like the roof or the perimeter of the house, larger lights would be more appropriate.

The length of your light strings is also essential to consider. Measure the area you want to decorate and the distance to the nearest outlet. Ensure that the lights are long enough to cover the area and that the cord can easily be plugged into an outlet.

Quality of Lights

Outdoor Christmas lights need to be durable to withstand the harsh winter weather. Investing in high-quality lights will save you money in the long run, as they will not need to be replaced frequently. Look for lights with a good warranty, and those that are made from weather-resistant materials. Lights with bulbs that are replaced individually are a great option, as they can be easily swapped out if one burns out.

Power Source

The power source of your outdoor Christmas lights will depend on where you plan on hanging them. Lights that are mounted on the house can be powered by an electrical outlet. Lights that are hung on trees, bushes or other areas further away from the house can be powered by solar panels, battery packs, or generators. Solar-powered lights absorb energy from the sun during the day and will automatically turn on at dusk. Battery-powered lights can last for several hours but will need to be recharged frequently. Generators are another option, but require more setup and maintenance.

Where to Buy

Outdoor Christmas lights can be purchased from several different retailers. Home goods stores like Home Depot, Walmart, and Lowes are great options for purchasing Christmas lights. Online retailers like Amazon and Wayfair also offer a wide variety of lights at competitive prices. For more unusual or customised Christmas lights, check out specialty stores and craft fairs.

Conclusion

Outdoor Christmas lights are a beautiful addition to any home during the holiday season. Before buying lights, consider the various types of lights available and what size will work best for your home. Look for high-quality, weather-resistant lights that come with a good warranty. Consider the power source for your lights and where you plan on hanging them. Finally, shop around and compare prices to ensure you get the best value for your money.

Decorating Ideas

Now that you have a basic understanding of the types of outdoor Christmas lights, it's time to think about how to showcase them in the best way possible. Here are some decorating ideas to inspire you:

• Classic Look: Use white or warm-tone lights and wrap them around the trees, bushes and eaves of your house. These classic lights will give your home a warm and inviting feel.
• Colourful Display: Mix and match multicoloured lights and hang them from tree branches, roof lines or railings. This display will give your home a bright and festive vibe that will bring cheer to all who see it.
• Illuminated Pathway: Use string or net lights to line the driveway or walkway leading to your front door. This creates a magical pathway that will delight visitors as they arrive at your home.
• Winter Wonderland: Use icicle lights to hang from the roof and simulate the appearance of icicles. Add some sparkling snowflake lights to accentuate the look of a winter wonderland scene.
• Projectors: Use a projector to add moving images such as snowflakes, Santa, or Christmas scenes to the side of your home or garage doors. This is a perfect way to add an extra touch of festive cheer to your Christmas decorations!

Safety Tips

When decorating with outdoor Christmas lights, it's essential to take safety into consideration. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

• Ensure that extension cords used are designed for outdoor use and that they are not overloaded.
• Test your lights before actually stringing them up or hanging them to avoid any unpleasant surprises, such as finding out that one section of the lights or a bulb isn't working.
• If using a ladder, ensure it is secure and on level ground. Use a ladder buddy, which holds the ladder in place, to prevent accidents.
• Never leave lights or decorative items near high voltage power lines or near any electrical installation to avoid short circuits.
• If using a projector, make sure that it's not pointed into windows of neighbouring houses or roads, as it could cause distractions or accidents with drivers.

Conclusion

Outdoor Christmas lights are a festive and joyful way to celebrate the holiday season. There are many different types of lights to choose from, and the decorating possibilities are endless! Before diving into decorating, carefully consider what type of lights to use, the power source, and the quality of the lights. This will help ensure a safe and successful decorating experience.

Remember, always keep safety in mind when decorating your home for the holidays. By following these tips, you can have a joyful and safe holiday season, full of magical Christmas lights and holiday cheer!