How to install outdoor Christmas lights

First things first, when dealing with electrical items like Christmas lights, it’s a good idea to do a few quick safety checks before you begin. We’ve put together a list of what you’ll need to check for things to run smoothly when installing your Christmas lights:

• Ensure your Christmas lights and decorations are weatherproof and suitable for outdoor use. 

• Even if this is the first time you’re using your outdoor Christmas lights, check that all wires and cables are intact and free from any damage as your lighting may have been damaged in transit, presenting a fire hazard.

• If these lights have been in storage for some time, you should also check for any problems. Lights could have been unknowingly damaged in storage or their protective casing may have worn away over time. Any damage to electrical goods can result in a fire hazard and as a result must be taken seriously.

• Test your Christmas lights by plugging them in at ground level, it will be easier to identify and resolve any faults on the ground rather than once they are already installed. Even something simple like replacing a bulb is much easier with both feet on the ground.

• Ensure your cables are within reach of your power supply.

• If you are using a ladder, make sure someone is holding the ladder for you and that it is positioned on a flat surface. Don’t be tempted to overstretch beyond the reach of your ladder or step on the top wrung. 

With so many options to choose from, it’s a good idea to narrow down your choices by picking a style for your festive lights: 

• Keep things traditional yet festive in a frosty winter wonderland of cool white fairy lights and blue-toned icicles. 

• Go colourful and kitsch with multicoloured rainbow fairy lights and a rosy-cheeked light-up Father Christmas.

• For a modern and elegant look, consider warm white fairy lights with some light-up reindeers for your lawn.

• Choose between minimalist LED lights and multi-function festoon lights.

• Some lights have a function which gives the effect that it’s snowing, complete the look with some light up snowflakes.

Mains-powered or battery-powered lights? 

The next thing you’ll need to decide is choosing between mains-powered and battery-powered lighting. Both choices have their pros and cons. While mains-powered lights can be more economical and less wasteful than buying disposable batteries, they will require a weatherproof extension lead (we recommend a cable reel) or access to an exterior power supply. You may need to avoid trailing cables or try to disguise them in parts of your design. Using batteries means you can avoid this trip hazard and hang light strings in areas out of reach of your power supply, allowing you to get more creative with your designs. Rechargeable batteries can help to cut costs and avoid waste however you need to factor in the additional time and effort spent charging and rotating these batteries. 

For an eco-friendly alternative, you might want to consider solar lights. These can be used year after year, powered exclusively by daylight. If this is the case, you might find yourself wondering why all Christmas lights aren’t solar powered? In the harsh conditions of winter, reduced hours of daylight can mean that at times, solar powered lighting doesn’t give the best results when compared with mains or battery powered lighting. Output may vary depending on the exact location of the lighting and how much exposure it gets per day. In the right location, solar powered lighting can be really effective, but since it can be hard to predict, it’s important to do your research. 

The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating your home and garden with outdoor Christmas lights. This means you can start hanging lights almost anywhere and let your imagination run wild. Highlight features of your home by illuminating porches and window frames, stringing bulbs along the eaves of the building and roofline. Let the garden take centre stage by lighting up Christmas trees, fences or a garden arch. You can wrap lights around almost anything in the garden, from a garden railing to the wreath on your front door. 

Attaching decorating clips

First, attach decorating clips or gutter hooks to your chosen surface, preferably at regularly spaced intervals. Clips or hooks should be spaced at a distance of between 30-50cm depending on the weight of the light bulb. To calculate how many light clips or hooks you’ll need, divide the cable length by 30cm or 50cm, depending on whether you are using bulbs that are heavier or lighter. Heavier bulbs or decorations will need to be spaced closer together, while lighter bulbs can be spaced further apart. 

Clipping the cable into the clips

Next, plug your string lights in without switching them on. Working backwards from the socket, clip the cable into the decorating clips or gutter hooks. The cable should be taught enough that there aren’t any loose pieces hanging down, without pulling too much on the socket. Try not to put multiple strings in single clips, when hanging multiple rows of lights or bulbs simply add more clips. 

Hanging the lights to clips and switching them on

Taking your time, continue hanging your string or festoon lights to the clips or hooks until complete. Take regular steps back to check for any low hanging bulbs or misplaced clips, so you can make adjustments while you work. When you’ve taken your final step back and are happy with the placement of your string lights, you're ready to switch them on and see how it looks. If you feel the need to add in a little something extra, now could be the time to turn to your trees and plants. 

Decorating plants and trees with outdoor Christmas lights

Add some sparkle to your Christmas trees and plants with outdoor Christmas lights, bringing some festive cheer to your garden. You won’t need any extra supplies for this task, as it’s just the same as decorating indoor or artificial Christmas trees. Start by finding the end of your string lights, as this will be the first light to go on the tree. Start from the top of the tree and work your way down or, if you only want to decorate one side of the tree or plant or just the part that is visible, work in a zigzag pattern. 

Required skills

Putting up outdoor Christmas lights doesn't require any specific DIY skills, you'll just need to know how to work safely and check your equipment thoroughly.

Time required

2 to 4 hours

Number of people required

1 or 2 people depending on whether a ladder is needed.

Tools and equipment

• Outdoor Christmas lights and decorations

• Decorating clips that can be stuck to wood and uPVC (such as door frames and fascias)

• Gutter hooks that can hook onto the edge of your guttering for a quick and easy installation

• A ladder

• A weatherproof extension cord or cable reel

• A tape measure could come in handy for measuring the distances from your power supply and spacing your design

• Batteries and a battery charger if using rechargeable batteries