How to Hang Christmas Lights
Nothing gets you in the festive mood more!
Nothing gets you in the festive mood more than putting up the Christmas lights. But whether you're someone who gets them up in November or a week before the big day, you'll likely have some questions about how to make them truly shine.
Christmas displays take planning and precision, so you want to adopt the right technique to prevent you from having to rehang your décor. That's where Festive Lights come in!
This guide answers all the frequently asked Christmas lights questions, including how to put them up on your exterior, tree, guttering and more. Get ready to get your glow on this Yuletide season!
What do I need to hang my Christmas lights?
Before you can learn how to hang your Christmas lights, there are a few things you should have to make the process as easy as possible. The tools you need will depend on the type of lighting and where you're planning on installing them. Typically, though, you'll need:
- Christmas lights: Icicles, fairy lights, Christmas silhouettes – we have it all. You just need to pick the ones that best suit your display
- Tape measure: You'll need this to get the distance from the power socket when hanging outside, as well as the placement of your bulbs.
- Ladder: If you're putting up lights on your roof or guttering, a ladder will get you to those hard-to-reach places safely.
- Outdoor extension lead: When plugging in mains-powered Christmas lights, you'll need a weatherproof extension cable.
- Batteries: For battery-operated Christmas lights, be sure to stock up on a compatible power source.
- Gutter hooks/decorating clips/nails/cable ties: Depending on your display design, this is how you'll secure your Christmas lights to your home.
- Drill and rubber mallet: This is for lights being put up with nails.
Hanging indoor Christmas lights
How to put lights on a Christmas tree
The Christmas tree is one of the most iconic symbols of the season and, regardless of whether you're using indoor or outdoor tree lights, you want to get it right. For the perfect, balanced look, and to get the difficult part out of the way, start from the top and work your way downwards. This way you end up with the plug at the base.
As a rule of thumb, you need 100 lights for every foot of the tree. Start by wrapping them around the top but unwind them randomly, placing some deeper into the branches for a more natural look.
A dark zone can appear if you're connecting more than one set of string lights, but you can avoid this by tucking the plugs behind the branches.
How to hang Christmas lights in a window
Icicle lights, shining stars or twinkling fairy bulbs – whatever style you choose, popping these up is a magical way of adding festive cheer to your windows. The best way to do this is with adhesive clips and hooks. They won't damage your walls or leave any residue behind.
- Measure the width of your window to determine the amount you'll need (usually six to eight) and stick them up evenly along its outline.
- Wait 30 seconds before clipping the lights in place and switch them on!
If you don't mind making holes in your walls, you can follow the same process with push pins or by installing permanent hooks.
How to attach Christmas lights to the ceiling
Add a bit of festive enchantment to the inside of your home by hanging our indoor Christmas lights from your ceiling.
- Decide on the pattern you want: a zigzag or a simple outline.
- With that decided, use your tape measure to get the dimensions of your ceiling so you can decide where to install your anchor points (adhesive hooks, clips and nails are good choices).
- If you're going for a zigzag, the spacing of each one should be around 50-90cm, including one running straight up from the power socket they will be connected to.
- Remember the 30-second delay between threading your lights through the sticky hooks or clips to make sure they're secure to the wall.
How to hang outdoor Christmas lights
How to attach Christmas lights to a roof
Framing the outline of your roof with multi-coloured or white bulbs leaves no mistake as to what time of year it is and who's coming to town. You really want to avoid putting holes in your roof, though, so trade nails or staples for adhesive or plastic clips.
You'll most definitely need your ladder for this one, along with someone below to hold it steady and thread the lights up to you.
- Measure the length of the areas you want to highlight and purchase the appropriate amount of Christmas lights to cover them.
- Select your roof clips (they come in different shapes and sizes) and space them out every 30-50cm, depending on the size of the bulbs.
- With these firmly slotted onto the edges of your roof, carefully position your ladder and work your way along, clipping your lights in as you go and with the plug end arriving as close as it can to the power outlet.
Remember, you want string or rope lights to be taut without pulling on the plug!
How to attach Christmas lights to a wall
Garden walls are usually made from stone and brick, meaning adhesive hooks and clips may not be suitable. Drilling in nails and hooks is the most convenient option as you can use them again year after year. You mustn't drill directly into your bricks, though, because this can cause them to crack. Make sure you're making holes in the mortar.
- Mark guide points where you're planning to drill your holes, keeping around 50cm between each one.
- With your holes drilled in each marked spot, use your rubber mallet to tap wall plugs into them and screw in your hooks.
- Hang your Christmas lights on each hook before flicking the switch and watching them shine.
How to attach Christmas lights to gutters
Strings and cluster lights hanging from your guttering give the appearance of dazzling icicles and falling snow – a gorgeous touch of magic for your front or back garden!
Gutter hooks are a must for hanging string or rope lights because creating holes can lead to leaks and costly repairs.
- Start by working out how many hooks you'll need to support the lights along your gutters. This will usually be one every 30cm for big bulbs or 50cm for smaller ones.
- Get someone to hold your ladder steady as you thread your lights in, moving it to each hook carefully.
- Once you're happy with the position, turn your lights on and watch them twinkle!
Seasonal advice from our experts
Why buy Christmas lights from Festive Lights?
We've told you how to put up your Christmas lights, both outside and indoors. Now it's time to trust us with your lighting choice. We can assure you that there's no better place.
We promise to light up your home this Yuletide and here are just a few reasons why you can believe us:
- Merry and bright since 1999: We've got 25 years of experience in illuminating properties across the UK all year round.
- Glowing reviews: Our customers are important to us and this shows in the thousands of positive reviews left on Trustpilot!
- Brilliant brands and products: Every Festive Lights product is manufactured to the highest standards and, if that wasn't enough, comes with a 12-month warranty.
- Quality service: Those living in the GB mainland can enjoy free delivery on orders over £75 and a straightforward returns policy.
For more advice on how to hang your Christmas lights or information on our festive products, give our experts a call or email us. You can also visit our blog or Knowledge Centre to see if we've already answered your questions.
Frequently asked questions about the cost of running Christmas lights
Q:How do I hang Christmas lights outside without nails?
A:When putting up exterior string lights, you may not want to cause permanent damage to your walls by installing nails. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives!
- Adhesive clips: These decorating clips easily stick to wood and uPVC surfaces like door frames and guttering. Simply peel off the back layer, stick them on and clip your lights into them – job done!
- Gutter hooks: As the name would suggest, you can hook these onto the edge of your gutter for a quick and easily adjustable solution. Move them about as your design needs with no worries about off-kilter displays.
- Cable ties: Convenient and cost-effective, you can loop as many cable ties as you need along the light's support wire and your chosen anchor. This will prevent them from being dislodged or drooping.
- Push pins: While this option still involves making little holes in your surfaces, the damage left behind is tiny compared to nails. Push pins are cheap, and you've usually got them lying about the house, so they'll do in a pinch if you're attaching lights to uPVC and wooden surfaces.
As long you're sure your chosen method is strong enough to hold the light's weight, you should be good.
You can find more information about installation by checking our blog on how to put up outdoor Christmas lights without nails.
Q:How much electricity do Christmas lights use?
A:This depends on the type of lights you want to use, with answers ranging from a few pounds a day to nothing when you use solar lights.
The festive period tends to be expensive enough as it is, so you don't want to be worrying about your energy bill at the same time. Luckily, we can assure you that your lighting display shouldn't make a huge difference.
If you're using ConnectGo 0.68W 5m Outdoor LED Fairy Lights for an average of six hours a day, the monthly cost is only about £3.39! You can use our Christmas Lights Cost Calculator to find out a more detailed estimate for your chosen lights.
The most energy-efficient option is solar lighting, which doesn't need to be connected to your mains electricity and instead relies on the energy of the sun. The only downside is that we don't always get much sunshine in the winter!
Q:How do I attach Christmas lights to a uPVC fascia?
A:The outward-facing boards that run below your roofline, often made from uPVC plastic, provide a great spot for some Christmas lights.
Before you start hanging them, you need to make sure there's an electricity source nearby and that all light and extension leads are rated for outdoor use. You'll also likely need a ladder to reach the under-eaves, as well adhesive clips or hooks to secure your chosen lights.
Run your lights along the fascia boards, clipping them as you go, making sure the plug end is nearest the power outlet.
Q:How do I attach Christmas lights to brick without drilling?
A:Drilling nails into the brick exterior of your house can be a hassle, but not many things stick to brick, so what are you to do? Luckily, there are a few methods you can choose from:
- Glue gun: This method works best with bulbs with big bases like Christmas festoon lights. Pop some glue on the back of each light base before gently applying pressure for at least 10 seconds and sticking them directly to the brick.
- Detachable brick clips: These metal clips fit over the front of the brick (as long as your wall isn't completely smooth!) and come with hooks where you can hang your lights. Measure your bricks to find out the right size and then place the top of the clip onto the lip of the brick and carefully push down until it snaps into place along the bottom of the brick.
- Mounting tape: While this doesn't always guarantee longevity, this adhesive tape can secure your lights to brick and is rated for outdoor use. Simply place a good portion over the light string and attach it to your anchor point.