The Beginner's Guide to Christmas Lights

It’s starting to get cold, and that means sweater weather, apple cider and a lot of holiday activities are on the way. What better way to welcome the season than by breaking out the Christmas décor, and stringing up your house with Christmas lights? 

Some people are lighting enthusiasts who can’t wait to go all out. In addition to string lights lining the roofline and windows, these are the folks breaking out icicle lights, illuminated candy cane pathways, spot lamps that project images of falling snow, inflated Santa snow globes, and oh–don’t forget the animatronics! Most neighborhoods have at least one of these traffic-stopping displays, and it’s quite a treat. 

What size bulbs should you buy? How many lights do you need to wrap outdoor trees? Should you go for LED or incandescent lighting? In this Christmas Light Guide, we compiled lighting tips and calculated costs for the average home and so you’ll have an easy time brightening up your home. 

Are you ready to light up the night and celebrate the holiday season? If you can’t wait, we recommend prepping so you can switch the lights on the night of Thanksgiving. And after you’ve gone through all that hard work, let’s keep them on through the entire Christmas season! Leaving the lights on until January 5th is generally acceptable (the 12th day of Christmas). Once you figure out how many lights are needed, you’ll be set for the following years too! 

After you’re done decorating the exterior of your home, our variety of Christmas gifts and décor are a great way to liven up the inside and make your home feel more festive too!