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The holiday season is the perfect time to incorporate festive outdoor Christmas decorations, bringing warmth and cheer to both family and neighbors. Whether you’re a Christmas light enthusiast or just looking to add a bit of sparkle to your yard, there are plenty of ways to get creative with your outdoor Christmas lights. From classic ideas to innovative touches, here are ten outdoor Christmas lighting ideas that will make your home shine all season long.

1. Wrap Your Trees In Lights

One of the most timeless and visually striking ways to decorate your yard is by wrapping trees in lights. It creates a cozy and magical glow that can transform even the simplest landscape into a holiday showpiece. Start at the base of the tree and wrap lights around the trunk, moving upwards until you reach the lower branches. 

For larger trees, you might want to wrap just the trunk and main branches for a clean and elegant look. Smaller trees can handle being wrapped all the way up. Using warm white string lights gives a classic look, while color-changing options like EverLights’ permanent lights add a fun and modern twist

2. Use Net Lights For Your Bushes

For a quick and easy way to light up bushes, consider using net lights. Unlike traditional strings, net lights are woven together into a grid, making them ideal for spreading evenly over shrubs and small trees. 

Simply throw them over your bushes, plug them in, and you’re set. Net lights come in various colors, so you can mix and match with warm whites, reds, and greens to create a festive color palette. Net lights are also easy to remove after the season, making them a low-maintenance choice for your holiday decorating.

3. Festive Pathway Lights

Give guests a warm and festive welcome by lighting the pathway to your front door with holiday stake lights. These lights are designed to be staked into the ground, illuminating the path with a beautiful, soft glow. 

From simple lantern designs to candy cane stakes or classic Christmas bulbs, there’s a style to match every home. Pathway lights not only make your home more inviting but also provide extra visibility and safety, guiding your visitors as they approach your front door.

4. Lighted Garlands

Porch railings provide the perfect backdrop for lighted garlands. These garlands add a decorative layer to your porch while bringing in the holiday spirit. Wrapping lights around greenery, like evergreen or pine garlands, creates a look that’s both elegant and festive. You can stick with traditional white lights for a simple look or choose color-changing garlands for a more vibrant display. Some lighted garlands even come with built-in twinkle effects, adding an extra touch of magic to your porch.

5. Snowflake Lights

Snowflake-shaped lights add a whimsical, wintery feel to your outdoor decorations. They’re beautiful when hung from the roofline or placed in trees, bringing a snowy sparkle to your yard even if you live in an area that doesn’t get much snow. 

Look for snowflake lights in various sizes to create a layered effect, with larger ones hanging from the roof and smaller ones scattered on the branches of trees. You can also add icicle lights to the mix to create an even more winter-wonderland-inspired outdoor Christmas lighting design. These unique shapes will add interest to your outdoor space and make your home stand out with a winter wonderland theme.

6. Projector Lights

If you’re looking for a quick and impressive outdoor holiday lighting option, projector lights are a great solution. These lights cast festive patterns onto your home’s exterior, such as snowflakes, Santa Claus, or reindeer. 

All you need to do is plug in the projector, set it up at an angle pointing toward your house, and let it work its magic. Projector lights are especially useful if you’re short on time or don’t want to deal with tangled strings of lights. Plus, they offer variety—many projectors come with changeable slides so you can switch up the theme throughout the season.

7. Permanent Christmas Lights

For those who want hassle-free holiday lights year after year, EverLights’ permanent color-changing lights are a fantastic investment. Unlike traditional lights that need to be taken down and stored, EverLights are installed once and last for many seasons. 

With these LED lights, you can customize colors and patterns to match the holiday theme, from classic red and green to multi-color displays. Not only are they durable, but EverLights are also virtually invisible during the day, making them ideal for homeowners who value aesthetics. This is the ultimate choice for those who love to decorate but prefer a one-and-done installation.

8. Candy Cane Columns

If your home has columns, turn them into giant candy canes by wrapping them with red and white lights. This is a fun and eye-catching idea that’s perfect for bringing holiday cheer right to your front door. Start at the bottom and alternate between red and white lights as you spiral upward. When done correctly, this design mimics the look of candy cane stripes, adding a touch of whimsy to your decor. The bold color contrast is festive and fun, making it a hit with both kids and adults.

9. Decorative Wreaths

Wreaths aren’t just for the front door—they’re a versatile decoration that looks great on windows, walls, and even fences. Adding a string of lights to your wreaths makes them stand out and glow, bringing attention to this classic Christmas decoration. 

You can go for a simple, lighted green wreath or choose pre-lit wreaths with festive additions like pinecones, berries, or ornaments. Hanging several lighted wreaths in symmetrical spots around your home creates a polished and cohesive look that’s both traditional and welcoming.

10. Lighted Reindeer

Lighted reindeer are a charming and festive addition to any outdoor Christmas display. These glowing figures bring a magical touch to your yard, creating the look of Santa’s reindeer resting or ready for flight. Available in various styles, from classic white lights to twinkling LED versions, lighted reindeer suit any decor style. They look stunning on lawns, near trees, or even beside a festive sleigh. 

For a more dynamic setup, pair them with other holiday decorations like lit-up snowflakes or trees. Durable and easy to set up, lighted reindeer are a timeless way to brighten your outdoor Christmas scene. You can find lighted reindeer on Amazon, or at local hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowes during the holiday season.

Bringing It All Together

With so many ways to decorate your home for the holidays, you can mix and match ideas to create a unique look that reflects your style. Try combining tree lights, pathway lighting, and a candy cane column wrap for a classic Christmas look. For a more contemporary display, pair projector lights with EverLights’ permanent color-changing lights to create a festive, modern design. Whether you prefer simple elegance or love to go all out, these lighting ideas will help you make a statement and celebrate the season.

Get a Free Quote From EverLights Today

Transform your home with beautiful, permanent holiday lighting that’s tailored to your style! EverLights offers custom, color-changing lights that make decorating for Christmas—or any occasion—simple and stunning. With durable, weather-resistant designs and endless color options, these lights add effortless charm to your home all year round. Contact EverLights for a free quote today and experience how easy it is to light up your home this holiday season.