Choosing the Best Christmas Lights to Illuminate Your Holidays

There’s something magical about walking through your neighborhood during the holiday season and stopping to “ooh” and “aah” at the bright, festive displays. From multicolored string lights to projection lights, decorating the exterior of your home for the holidays is a fun tradition and a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. 

But since there are so many different kinds of Christmas lights on the market, it can feel overwhelming to choose the right strands for your home. There are a few key things to consider while shopping, including the type of lights and their purpose. When you find the perfect lights for your outdoor display, hang them up and watch your family members and neighbors ogle in awe.

What to Consider When Selecting the Best  Christmas Lights

If you’re feeling stressed while browsing through the holiday aisle at the store, take a deep breath and consider these key factors when deciding which outdoor lights to toss in your cart.

Indoor vs. Outdoor

The first step is to decide whether you’ll be displaying your lights indoors or outdoors. Check out the packaging on each light product to determine whether to use them only indoors, either indoors or outdoors, or only outdoors.

If you’re looking for outdoor lights, look for ones that are UL-approved for outdoor use. The UL certification means that the global safety certification company Underwriters’ Laboratories has confirmed that the product meets its safety standards. Approved outdoor lights have a durable coating around the wiring that can withstand exposure to the elements.

When exposed to rain, wind, and snow, indoor-only Christmas lights can break or even short circuit, making them a fire hazard. Outdoor lights, however, are typically safe to use indoors. If you’re not sure where you’ll display them, opt for combination indoor/outdoor lights. Plus, indoor/outdoor lights allow you to switch up the location of your holiday display each year without worry.

Incandescent vs. LED

When it comes to choosing Christmas lights, the two primary types are incandescent and LED. Incandescent lights are the original lightbulb that dates back to the 1800s, while LED lights became popular almost a century later in the 1960s. Most of the Christmas lights you see on the shelves today are LED.

LED lights are more expensive than incandescent bulbs (about $13 for a pack of 50, compared to $3 for a pack of 50 incandescent bulbs), but they’re significantly more energy-efficient, meaning you’ll save money on your energy bill.

LED lights use at least 75% less energy than incandescent lights. Not only does that lower your energy bill, but you can also don your Christmas tree with cool-burning LED lights without worrying about causing a fire. Plus, LEDs last up to 25 years longer than incandescent lights, so you won’t have to run to the store as often to buy replacement bulbs.

Incandescent light bulbs can be more aesthetically appealing than LEDs because they give off a warm, vintage glow as opposed to LEDs, which emit a much brighter light. But keep in mind that incandescent bulbs burn hot, so avoid putting them near flammable items like paper snowflakes or dry tree branches.

Bulb Type and Size

Choosing the right Christmas lights is all about creating that magical look that gets you in the cozy holiday spirit. Larger bulbs can feel classic and retro, while small lights are better for a more  delicate aesthetic. Let's look at your options. 

Mini Lights

Head to any hardware, decor, or even dollar store and you're most likely to find the ever-popular mini-string lights. Mini lights measure about 5/8 of an inch in both indoor and outdoor varieties. They are versatile in color, placement, and style. 

C6 Bulbs

The "C" in larger Christmas lights stands for the cone size. The C6 bulb has a cone-shaped bulb that is 1 1/8 of an inch long. Indoor varieties look excellent on the tree, while outdoor ones like doors, windows, and porch railings.

C7 Bulbs

You'll get a slightly rounder shape with C7 bulbs. They are also conical and measure 1 1/2 inch long. This variety is also ideal for large displays, either on large trees, around the mailbox, or on higher areas of the exterior of your house.

C9 Bulbs

The largest of the cone-shaped bulbs, C9 cones measure between 2 1/2 and 3 inches and show off a retro style from Christmases past. Hang them to make a big statement and highlight areas like mantels, railings, posts, and large trees.

G12 Bulbs

The "G" in the G12 bulbs stands for globe, and these big guys have a diameter of 1 1/2 inch. Their clean look makes them ideal for draping across the tree, by the stockings, or even across a porch that needs extra light.

String Length and Bulb Spacing

Decorating with string lights is not about packing an area with as many bulbs as possible. Most string lights leave between 4 and 6 inches between bulbs. If you space the strings the same distance apart—when lining a tree or a bush, for example—you can achieve a more balanced and finished look.

Christmas tree light length varies widely—you'll find everything from 14-foot to 50-foot strands. The number of lights on the string is a little more consistent, often featuring 25, 50, or 100 lights spaced 4 or 6 inches apart.

Power Source

Always practice holiday light safety when setting up both indoor and outdoor displays. Always check the wattage of your holiday lights and do not overload your outlet, even when using a surge protector. All this being said, you have some options when powering your lights.

Standard Electrical

Select a nearby electrical outlet before you decide where to hang your lights. If you choose to connect the lights to an extension cord, make sure that the cord is hidden, so it’s not a tripping hazard. Also, double-check that it’s approved for either indoor or outdoor use.

Most string lights will include what is known as a “vampire plug” at one end to connect a new string to the end.

Battery Operated

Battery-powered Christmas lights are an excellent tool for lights in non-traditional spaces. Place battery string lights in vases, on the tops of bookshelves, or a small table-top tree. 

Solar Powered

Solar-powered lights offer an eco-friendly option for outdoor displays. While they may cost a bit more upfront, they can cut down on your electricity bill over time. Solar lights will include a small solar panel that stakes into your lawn or attaches to a surface at the end of the display.

Types of Christmas Lights

With aisle after aisle of Christmas lights on the market, you can get as creative as you please. Here are your options, from traditional lights to those a bit more outside the box.

String Lights

String lights offer that classic look you see on the majority of homes and trees. The bulbs branch out one by one from one central string every several inches. The lights come in a full range of colors and may blink or even change colors. 

Icicle Lights

Made popular over the last several decades, icicle lights mimic the look of icicles off your home's eaves in the winter. Short strings of lights cascade off a central string in a variety of lengths. Hang icicle lights on your eaves, along a mantel, or on a large bookshelf.

Net Lights

Net holiday lights make DIY decorating much simpler, especially when you're decorating the Christmas tree, an outdoor tree, or a large shrub. The lights and wires come in a grid pattern and allow you to drop the whole net of lights over one large item.

Projectors

Many homes are taking a non-traditional approach to decor this year by placing a projector on their home or lawn. These projectors spread moving or stationary lights to create a mini-laser light show. Projectors can stand on their own or pair with a string light display.

Rope Lights

If you're dreaming up a simple, clean holiday light display, opt for rope lights. This style tucks an LED light into a clear casing instead of extending the bulbs to the outside of the wire. Rope lights come in a range of colors and often change colors, blink, or change in intensity. Many rope lights are also ideal for outdoor displays, especially along the edges of a doorway, window, or under your eaves.

Trunk Web Lights

Trunk Christmas lights come in a similar form as the web lights but are often shaped with trees in mind. Thinner webs make it easier to secure around a tree without the extra bulk. 

Novelty Lights 

Go all out this year by taking the non-traditional look with novelty lights. These lights make our favorite holiday figurines glow, from mini-snowmen to tiny candy canes. Use these eye-catching lights in a concentrated area to highlight an area of a room or over the main entranceway to set the scene.

Tips to Help You Choose the Right Lights for Indoor and Outdoor Decorating

Taking the DIY approach to hanging Christmas lights may seem like a no-brainer, but don't head into it without a plan. The last thing you want is to end up with a roof covered in lights and no outlet to power them up.

Here are some expert tips when selecting the best indoor and outdoor holiday lights:

• Always check if the lights are equipped for outdoor use before installing them outside (even if on a screened porch)

• Measure your display and Christmas tree decor from the outlet, and leave several extra feet for safety.

• When deciding how many Christmas lights to buy, always round up to the next-longest cord.

• Consider net lights for bushes and trees.

• When purchasing white lights, double-check whether they are warm or cool white for a streamlined look.

• Consider hiring a professional Christmas light installer to help you purchase and install lights for an expert touch.