Christmas Lights Buying Guide

Lights make it magical

Our Christmas Lights Buying Guide is here to take the guesswork out of lighting up your space.

Shop by light type

LED lights

LED lights give off a bright glow and are more energy efficient than incandescent lights. They are shatter-resistant and can last 8+ years. Plus, they can be combined with other LED sets if you have a big display.

Incandescent lights

Incandescent lights give off a soft, warm glow and provide a more traditional look for your display. They are often more affordable than LED lights and last 3–4 years on average.

Battery-operated lights

Battery-powered lights are great for applications where you can’t or don’t want to plug into an outlet. Coming in a variety of shapes, sizes & colors, these lights be placed just about anywhere.

How many lights will you need?

Rooflines & fences

The best thing to do is to measure the length of space you’re trying to cover in lights, then decide how far apart you want the bulbs to be. One bulb every 12" is common for eaves, awnings & anywhere you use larger C7 or C9 bulbs. It’s an easy conversion: 1 bulb per foot. If you’re not able to measure, start with 60' and go from there.

Trees

To light trees, start with 100 mini lights per vertical foot of tree. You can customize from there. If you have a thinner tree, use half as many lights. If you want a really bright look, use more! These basic guidelines also work on outdoor trees or other vertical structures, like posts & pillars.

Windows

Measuring is the best way to find out exactly what you need to outline your windows. If you don’t have a ruler or measuring tape, use an object with a known size (a standard piece of paper is 11" on the long size) to get an estimate. The number of bulbs can vary, depending on whether you use large- or mini-sized bulbs. Do what makes you feel festive!