Lighting Your Christmas Tree

With the holidays right around the corner it is time to start deciding on to decorate your trees. Why not try a few new tricks for lighting your Christmas tree. We all love the finished project, but getting there is not always a lot of fun. With these tips, we hope to make that project a little easier.

A lot of people these days like to do a "theme" Christmas tree. This is very festive and can be a lot of fun. If you are one of the people that like this type of decorating, try picking lights that have key colors from your ornaments and using a similar light color. Let's say you choose to do your tree with green and red ornaments, you could use red lights. This will compliment your other decorations and enhance your tree's appearance.

Untangling your Christmas lights, an every year obstacle. There is a simple solution, start untangling and warp the lights around your arm. Be careful not to tug on any bulbs as you go. While you are at it, try testing all your sting to check for burnt out bulbs. You don't want to get the lights on your tree and then realize there are bulbs that need replacing.

For those of you that like to buy a fresh tree every year, try using three 100 count mini light strings per one foot section of tree. The rest of us that use an artificial tree, use three 50 count light stings per one foot section of tree. These shorter strings will be easier to use and will make packing your tree up with the lights still attached a much easier task.

Lighting u your tree has such a huge impact on your holiday decor. All you will have to do to get the best look is, start from the base of your tree trunk with your Christmas mini lights. Wrap your up the trunk and around each branch all the way out. It will from the inside out.

Have fun with your Christmas tree this year and maybe try something a little more outside of the box.

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Hannah
Christmas Lights Shop

Decorating with Lights for Halloween

This year has gone by so quickly and before we all know it, it will be time for Halloween. It is time to start thinking about how you might decorate for one of the most fun holidays all year. We are proud to offer a selection of different lighting products to fit the needs for Halloween decorating. 

Traditional Mini Lights - These are the most commonly used lights for all occasions. But for Halloween you could get amber and purple to add a little pop of light and color to your decor. You can use them inside or outside. Light up your windows and add black silhouettes of cats and ghosts for a spooky effect. 

LED Lights - LED lights are growing in popularity. These lights would be perfect to use year after year for your Halloween season. These lights come in so many styles and colors. Something for every budget and taste. You could use the LED craft lights in orange or white to light your pumpkins this year. 

Traditional C7 and C9 Lights - These are great for Halloween if you already have stringers for your Christmas lights. All you have to do is trade out the festive Christmas colors for opaque orange and purple. You can really use any combination of colors  to fit your design. These are great for lining your house to show the spooks and ghouls to the door. 

Have fun decorating for Halloween with any of these lighting options. Any of them would be perfect to fit to your spooky holiday decorations.

Decorating with Curtain Lights

I'm sure there are a lot of people out there that get on Pinterest and other websites looking for inspiration on how to decorate their wedding. Well, we are here to offer a fantastic suggestion, curtain lights. They are so pretty and simple to hang at almost any venue.

Curtain lights are basically built like a standard mini light string, just in a curtain type design. They come on both green and white wire with 150 clear lights. Each drop is about 6" apart and the bulbs have a spacing of about 6" also. Overall the entire set is about 6' wide and 5' long. You can also plug two sets end-to-end, this way you can make a lighted background a little wider.Curtain lights are also lightweight and so simple to hang. You can use 3M adhesive hangers, heavy duty tape, making a frame or even hanging them from a drop ceiling.

Some of the most common ways that people use these are for weddings and special occasions, as backgrounds. Hanging them behind the head table at a wedding reception, at the ceremony behind the happy couple for stunning photos or even for the background of a beautiful photo booth. If you want to soften the glow of the lights, you can cover them with some sheer or color fabric that matches you decor. The possibilities are endless for using curtain lights.

Made in USA Christmas Light Clips

Universal Clips

We are excited to announce that we now offer a full line of Made in USA Christmas light clips. This is something that we are proud to offer. These are molded out of high quality plastic which make them some of the best clips on the market. you can use them season after season with a bit of worry. 

• Lawn Speed Stakes - Great for lining walkways and driveways. Holds any C7, C9 or LED screw in bulbs. Available in 5" and 10".
• All Application Clips - These can be used on most roof types to hold C7 and C9 light sockets. These are stronger than traditional All in One Clips.
• Multi Application Clips - These will hold icicle, LED, mini lights and more on almost any roof type. These are one of the most versatile Christmas light clips. 
• Bi-Directional Flip Clips - Will hold all light styles and can be used along roof lines or on gutters. These will flip the orient LED lights outward.
• Flat Roof Adapter - These are built to help hold a Shingle Speed Tab securely to a surface. you can attach these with adhesive or screws. 
• Gutter  Hooks - These will hold wire along a gutter line. Perfect for icicle lights, mini lights and more. 
• Leaf Screen Gutter Clip - You can hang these on a gutter with or with out a leaf guard. Works with all types of Christmas lights. 
• Mini Light Adhesive Clip - Great for lining windows and doors. Holds mini and LED light strings. 
• Rope Light Clips - These will hold most rope light.Clips will link together to form 45 and 90 degree angles. 
• Speed Shingle Tabs - Perfect for sliding under a shingle roof to hold Christmas lights. Will hold C7, C9 and LED screw in bulbs. 
• Tie Down Stakes - Great for replacing broken or missing tie down stakes that have come with inflatables, displays or other holiday decorations. These are 7" tall for secure anchorage. 
• L Clips - These clips will hold a C7 or C9 based socket. Easily mounted with adhesive or screws. Better made than traditional C Clips. 

Christmas Lights Shop is proud to offer all of these Christmas light clips and more for all your lighting needs. 

DIY Party Lights

Lighting is the best way to set the mood for any special occasion. But you might not always be able to find the exact colors or theme to match in pre-made light strings. Well, now you don't have to. You can just make your own fun string lights to match perfectly with your party. We wanted to give you a little inspiration with a few fun and simple ideas to light up your upcoming parties.

Dixie Cup Light Garland
This is such a cute idea for a baby shower or bridal tea. All you really have to have for this project is cups, LED string lights on white wire and scrapbook paper to match your color scheme or theme. They are absolutely adorable. The guest of honor and all the other attendees will just love them. Check out the full tutorial at Hey Gorgeous Events.

Sparkle Light Canvas
Light canvases are so great for so many occasions. You can make any pattern you would like. You could even do names and dates for weddings. All you have to have is paint, a canvas and some LED lights. Inexpensive and it will look stunning. Check out the full DIY at Apartment Therapy.

Cupcake Liner Lights
We have all seen those adorable cupcake liners and think, those are just to cute to bake with and throw away. Well, with this super simple project you won't have to. You can buy those great cupcake liners and some globe lights to make a great light string for an outdoor garden party. What can be better than dressing up those plain patio lights? Not much, if you ask me. Checkout the complete how-to over at IKEA Hackers.

Any of these projects will fit perfectly into any party or special occasion. Try them out and be creative! 

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Hannah

Christmas Lights Shop

DIY Tulle and Light Wreath

Photo: WagDoll

So many people out there these days want to decorate for holidays and weddings with DIY projects instead of spending huge amounts of money on decorations. There are so many tutorials out there now that will help you decorate for almost any occasion. We thought we might share one of our favorites with you, a light and tulle wreath. It is so simple and fun to make. Plus, anyone that has ever done a craft probably has most of the supplies just laying around the house.

Materials:

1 X 12" Foam Wreath

Tulle (color of your choice)

Matching Ribbon

Battery Operated LED Lights

Start out with wrapping the entire wreath with ribbon. Be sure to secure both ends with ever a straight pin or glue. The ribbon should match your tulle. But if you wanted to do a Christmas one, red and green ribbon would work great. The same goes for any holiday color scheme or wedding decor. Just keep it fun and festive, for whatever the occasion. 

Next, wrap your fairy lights around the wreath. Try to be sure that your LED bulbs are evenly spaced, you don't want to have them all bunched in one place or another. Also be sure to keep the battery pack in the back of the wreath. That way when you display it, it won't be seen. 

Now it is time to get out your tulle. You will want it in strips about 18" X 4". After you have cut plenty of strips that you believe will cover the whole wreath, you can start tying it on. All you have to do is tie it on making a double knot in the front. Remember the more strips you use, the fluffier your wreath is going to be. While tying on the strips of tulle, cut a couple of strips that are a bit longer so that you can tie them around the battery pack on the back of the wreath to secure it. 

It's time to display your creation. Cut a piece of coordinating ribbon (long enough to hang the wreath) and tie it around your wreath, making a bow so that you can hang it. Then all that is left is to turn on the battery pack. Sit back back and admire your project.

There you have it, a fun, festive and inexpensive DIY project that will work for all occasions. Get out your crafting supplies and try it out! Have fun and enjoy!

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Hannah

Christmas Lights Shop

Using Christmas Lights All Year

So many people believe that "Christmas" lights are still only for use around the holidays. But we are here to tell you, that's no longer the truth. We live in the digital age with resources such as Pinterest and blogs to share craft/DIY ideas. We wanted to share some of our favorites year round uses for Christmas lights that are classy and fun. So get out all those left over light strings and let's get going.


In The Home 

• Curtain lights are great for use in a bedroom. Try hanging a strand of white curtain lights behind the head of the bed with a piece of sheer fabric over it. This will give your bedroom a romantic glow and it is safer than candles. 
• Take a string of warm white LED lights, a few small picture hanging hooks and clothespins and make a fun display for some your favorite snapshots. Hang the light string on the hooks and let them drape just a bit, plug the lights in and add a few photos. Perfect for a teens room or even a dorm room. 
• Make a light canvas. It's so easy and fun. You just need a canvas, LED lights and an imagination. Make a pattern on the back of the canvas and push your lights through, plug it in and enjoy. These are great as night lights for a younger child's room. 

Outdoors 

• Are looking for something to add a little ambiance to your back patio? Try hanging globe lights or icicle lights around the inside of your patio roof. It will give you just enough light so that you can relax in your favorite outdoor space on warm summer evenings. 
• Try wrapping a few of your trees with mini light strings. This is great if you entertain a lit on our back yard during the summer months. It will be the only extra lighting you need and your guests will love it.

Give some these ideas a try and see what you think. Christmas lights can be used in so many ways now, they aren't just for the holidays. Have fun and get creative. 

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Hannah

Christmas Lights Shop