How to Hang Lights for Christmas

Not all plug-in Christmas lights are the same, and the names and styles can be confusing. It's helpful to remember that "C" stands for either "cone" or "candle," due to their bulbous shape. They are usually described as being strawberry-shaped. The higher the C-number, the larger the size, ranging from C3 to C9. Here's how to choose the right size and shape of Christmas lights for your holiday decorating needs.

• Christmas string lights: The most commonly used lights, along with C7 and C9 lights. A string light's bulb shape resembles a candle with a pointed tip. They are generally 1/4-inch in diameter and 5/8-inch tall.
• C9 Christmas lights: Largest of the strawberry-shaped lights. They measure 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/2 inches tall.
• C7 Christmas lights: Mid-size, strawberry-shaped lights, but with a more rounded, bulbous look. They measure 1-inch in diameter and 1 1/2 inches tall.
• C6 Christmas lights: Smallest of the strawberry-shaped lights. They measure 3/4-inch in diameter and 1 1/8 inches tall.
• Icicle lights: String lights that mimic the appearance of icicles hanging on overhangs, peaks and windows.
• LED Christmas lights: Use light-emitting diodes (LEDs), rather than filaments, to produce light. LED lights are more efficient, durable and longer-lasting than both fluorescent and incandescent lights. LED technology also saves money and energy. There are LED lights that change and/or transition to different colors. You can even find LEDs that flicker, like flames.
• Battery operated lights: Provide more freedom for your Christmas decorating. An attached battery pack is used to power these lights.
• Twinkling Christmas lights: String lights that flash on and off. Typically, 20 percent of these bulbs twinkle or flash randomly, while 80 percent stay on.

When learning how to hang Christmas lights, it helps to start with a clear decorating plan. This will ensure that the entire project flows smoothly.

• Map out a plan for lights: Pick a focal point to highlight, such as the front door, or some other architectural feature, like columns or eaves. Place your brightest lights, or a higher light concentration, on the areas you want to pull the most focus. You can build out your plan from there.
• Consider light placements: String lights along some of the most commonly decorated areas. You may hang them along walkways or driveways. Or they can be draped over landscape plants, like hedges or trees. You can also outline the roofline, windows and door frames with lights or wrap them around railings or posts.
• Choose the type of lights: Make sure the lights are rated for outdoor use. Incandescent lights offer a traditional warm glow. But there are now energy-efficient LED bulbs available offering warm or cool glows. LED bulbs can provide significant energy and cost savings over the course of the entire holiday season. Some LEDs are controllable with a smartphone app, allowing colors and patterns to be changed remotely.
• Choose the right Christmas light clips that fit your application: Adhesive clips are best for columns or railings, and universal clips are best for rooflines.
• Determine how many lights you need: Measure all the straight lines of the house and add them together. Remember to measure the distance to your power source.
• Pay attention to the light strands' connection limits: Don’t connect more strands together than the directions recommend, as this is a fire hazard.

Show off your holiday spirit by decking out your home with Christmas lights. Follow these steps to get the job done.

• Test the lights. Be sure to test all the lights before installation. Check that all light patterns work, replacing any blown bulbs. If using smart lights, connect them to your device to ensure that their controllers are operational.
• Plug the first strand into an extension cord to double-check that your lights can reach a power source.
• Attach lights to their clips and start hanging.
• Slide rooftop lights in place, inserting their clips in the gutter or between the roof and shingles. Remember that universal clips work with both C7 and C9 bulbs. They also work with mini, icicle and string lights.
• Use adhesive clips for windows, railings or columns.
• Peel the backing and adhere the clips at an even distance.
• Attach lights into the clips.
• Install a smart plug to control the timing of your lights from your smartphone app.

Hanging Christmas lights on a roof peak may be a challenge. You'll need a helper for this project. Here's how to safely hang Christmas lights on a roof:

• Do not attempt to install Christmas lights on your roof when it's rainy or snowy.
• Place an extension ladder securely against the side of your house, on level, firm ground. Have your partner hold the ladder to help keep it in place when you climb.
• Keep your hands free while you’re climbing your ladder. Use a tool belt or bag to hold all your supplies while you climb.
• Try using plastic clips instead of nails or staples. Plastic clips are the easiest and safest way to hang Christmas lights on the roof. You can also use a staple gun to hold the clips in place. But it will be more time-consuming to remove them after Christmas.

Icicle lights will transform your home into a magical winter wonderland. Here's how to hang icicle lights on your home:

• Untangle and lay out the lights.
• Use a clip to hang the lights along the gutter or shingles.
• Hang the lights pointing down.

How do you hang string lights outdoors without nails?

The easiest method is to use plastic hooks and clips. They are inexpensive and simple to install and remove. Plastic hooks and clips can hold all types of Christmas lights with ease.

How do you put Christmas lights on a tree?

For maximum coverage, try this method:

• Begin with the light strand at the base of a bottom branch next to the tree's trunk.
• Pull the light strand towards you, along the length of the branch, to the tip.
• Pull the light strand back alongside the branch to the trunk.
• Take a step to the right and continue with the next branch at the same level.
• Bring the light strand along the length of each branch, while circling the tree.
• When you complete a revolution around the tree, go up to the next highest branch. Then, continue moving to the right.
• Bring the lights from the trunk to the tip of the branch and then back again, until you reach the top.

How do you string Christmas tree lights?

Most of the time, a single light strand won't be long enough for your needs. Holiday lights are designed to be connected, so you can make them as long as you need. Simply attach the male end of one the light strands to the female end.