Christmas Lights: Indoor & Outdoor LED Holiday Lights

How to Choose & Hang Christmas Lights

Plan Your Design

Sketch your house to plan where to hang lights (roofline, windows, doors, bushes).
Measure each area to know how many light strings you need.

Choose the Right Bulbs

C9 Bulbs

Use: Rooflines, large outdoor trees.

Benefit:Bright and durable, C9 bulbs are perfect for outlining homes.

C7 Bulbs

Use:Rooflines, smaller outdoor trees, windows, walkways.

Benefit:Slightly smaller than C9 but still great for creating a bold, classic look.

C6 Bulbs

Use:Wreaths, garlands, small indoor & outdoor trees.

Benefit:Small C6 bulbs are perfect for delicate outlines and adding subtle, classic holiday charm.

T5 Bulbs

Use:Indoor decorations, small trees, tabletop displays.

Benefit:Compact and energy-efficient, T5 bulbs provide bright, even illumination in smaller spaces and intricate designs.

Choosing Your Light Styles

Mini String Lights

Use:Bushes, railings, wreaths, tree trunks.

Benefit:Subtle and versatile, ideal for wrapping and detailed decorations.

Icicle Lights

Use:Roof eaves, porches, overhangs.

Benefit:Perfect for creating a snowy, dripping light effect.

Net Lights

Use:Bushes, hedges, large plants.

Benefit:Quick and easy way to cover large shrubs or bushes.

Rope Lights

Use:Outline buildings and rooflines, pathways, windows, doorways.

Benefit:These flexible lights are great for highlighting architectural features or accenting décor indoors and outdoors.

Install Light Clips

Use plastic light clips to attach lights to your roof or gutters without damaging your home. Avoid using nails, staples, or screws to prevent damage.
Choose clips designed for your light type, such as gutter clips for roof edges or shingle clips for attaching lights to shingles.

String the Lights

Roofline: Begin at the power source and run the lights along the roofline, using light clips every 6–12 inches for a neat appearance.
Windows/Doors: Outline windows and doors with C7 or mini string lights. Secure lights with clips or adhesive hooks.
Bushes/Trees: Wrap mini string lights around tree trunks or bushes. Net lights can quickly cover larger shrubs.

Check Power Cords & Test Lights

Use outdoor-rated extension cords and timers to automate turning lights on and off.
Spread lights across multiple outlets to avoid overloading. Use a power trip with built-in protection if needed.
Test lights before hanging to make sure they work.
After installation, step back, assess and adjust any areas that need more coverage.

LED Vs Incandescent Christmas Lights

When it comes to choosing between incandescent and LED Christmas lights, there are a few key differences to consider.

Incandescent Christmas lightsare more affordable than LED lights, making them a budget-friendly alternative during the holiday season. These lights are known for their timeless charm by adding a warm, nostalgic glow to your holiday decorations as well as for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
LED Christmas lightsmay be pricier up front, but they have long-term energy-saving capabilities because they use less power than incandescent lights. They use up to 80% less energy than incandescent lights, which can help you save on your electricity bill during the holiday season. What’s more, they’re highly durable and longer lasting, making them a great choice for both indoor and outdoor

Christmas Light Colors

Each type of light has its unique characteristics and can be chosen based on your desired ambiance and decoration style. Look for the following types of Christmas lights for your home:

White Christmas Lights	White Christmas lights are classic and versatile, providing a bright and elegant look. Perfect for creating a winter wonderland effect for indoor and outdoor light displays.
Multi-Colored Lights	Multi-colored Christmas lights add a festive and vibrant touch to your holiday decorations. Great for creating a fun and cheerful atmosphere.
Red Lights	Red lights are bold and eye-catching, perfect for adding a pop of color to your holiday decor. Can be used alone or combined with other colors for a more dynamic display.
Green Lights	Green lights are a popular choice for Christmas decorations, symbolizing the traditional color of Christmas trees. Can be used to complement other colors or create a monochromatic look.
Blue Lights	Blue lights offer a cool and calming effect, ideal for creating a serene holiday ambiance. Can be used to highlight specific areas or mixed with other colors for a unique display.
Color Changing	Allows you to switch between different colors, adding versatility and dynamic effects to your decorations.
Color Choice	Provides the option to select a specific color, enabling you to match your lights with your holiday theme or personal preference.
Constant	Offers a steady and continuous light, creating a classic and consistent look for your decorations.
Multi-Function	Includes various lighting modes such as flashing, fading, and chasing, allowing you to customize the lighting effects to suit different occasions.
Twinkling lights	Adds a sparkling effect to your decorations, creating a magical and festive atmosphere.

How to Pick Warm, Cool or Pure White Christmas Lights

Warm White Christmas Lights: Warm white lights emit a soft, yellowish glow that creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere. They are often used for indoor decorations to give a traditional and warm feel to the holiday setting.
Cool White Christmas Lights: Cool white lights produce a bright, crisp light with a bluish tint. They are ideal for outdoor decorations as they provide a modern and vibrant look. Cool white lights are often used to create a winter wonderland effect.
Pure White Christmas Lights: Pure white lights offer a neutral white light that is neither too warm nor too cool. They provide a clean and elegant look, making them versatile for both indoor and outdoor decorations. Pure white lights are perfect for those who prefer a more contemporary and sophisticated holiday display.

Explore these color temperatures and more from brands like Holiday Bright Lights and Celebrations, with a selection from their standard LED range and Platinum LED Series.

Shop Christmas Lights Near You at Ace Hardware

Shop for Christmas lights at your local Ace to help create a festive mood throughout your home. Find icicle lights, rope lights and mini lights and more in a variety of lengths and festive colors. And be sure to check out our current savings and deals on Christmas lights to help your dollar stretch a little further this holiday season.

As well as Christmas lights, Ace Hardware has a host of holiday essentials for your home. From Christmas trees like pencil trees and flocked trees to inflatable decorations and more, find what you need online or in-stores to create your winter wonderland.