Asked by: Zhihua Nozal
home and garden outdoor decorating

How do I power Christmas lights outside?

45
Using Basement Power
Choose an outlet in your basement that is close to the window facing your outdoor Christmas lighting display. If you cannot control that outlet with a switch, then plug a power strip with an on/off switch into the outlet. That will allow you to turn your lights on and off from inside the house.


Also, how do you hang Christmas lights outside without nails?

To hang your Christmas lights outside without nails, try using plastic hooks and clips for a simple way to make your home look festive. If you decide to use hooks, purchase S-shaped gutter hooks and hang them by pressing the top part of the S into the gutter.

Also, what are the best outdoor Christmas lights? Our Top Picks
  • Best Overall: Hofert Everglow Clear White Wire Light Set at Amazon.
  • Best Budget: Home Accents Clear Light Set at Home Depot.
  • Best Icicle Lights: The Holiday Aisle Mini Icicle Light at Wayfair.
  • Best Snowflake Lights: White Snowflake LED Fairy Lights at Amazon.

In this way, can I use indoor Christmas lights outside?

Using outdoor lights for indoor decorations is common and safe, but precautions must be taken if you are using indoor lights to decorate outside. Outdoor lights are made to withstand wet conditions and cold weather, while indoor lights are not.

Are outdoor Christmas lights waterproof?

Although all outdoor lights are waterproof, we would recommend a dry, cool place to keep them in tip top condition and prevent any moisture creeping in. With a little bit of TLC, and ensuring they are completely dry before storage, they should last you for years to come.

Related Question Answers

Ashwani Gathje

Explainer

How do you attach Christmas lights to a porch light?

Using an Exterior Light Socket
  1. Remove the light bulb from one of your exterior porch lights.
  2. Install an exterior light socket outlet into your lighting fixture.
  3. Plug an external-grade extension cord into the lighting fixture outlet.

Venerada Marguello

Explainer

How do you hang Christmas lights on a garage door?

When it comes to hanging holiday lights around your garage door, use clips and hooks specifically designed for the task. Avoid using metal fasteners like staples or nails if you are attaching lights directly to the trim; the metal can damage the wiring and create a fire or electrocution hazard.

Naoki Jadryshnikov

Explainer

How do you attach Christmas lights to Brick?

Lay out your string of lights to ensure you have enough length to work with. Start at one end and apply hot glue along the side of the base of the light, then press it firmly against the brick. Hold it for about 10 seconds, which should be enough time for the glue to cool and the light to adhere to the brick surface.

Kieran Budzis

Pundit

How do you use an extension cord for outdoor Christmas lights?

Keep Extension Cords Out of the Way
When using extension cords, make sure they are rated for outdoor use, and keep the connections above ground, snow and water. Try to avoid high-traffic areas. Tape cords across walkways, and use the correct length needed to travel to your lights.

Valerica Reitberger

Pundit

How do you hang Christmas lights on a large outdoor tree?

For especially tall trees, grab a ladder and a friend to help. Wrap the light string into a ball and begin unraveling as you move up the trunk. Be sure the prongs that you need to plug in are on the bottom. Plug another string of lights into the first, secure both with electrical tape and start wrapping the branches.

Goyo Elzardui

Pundit

Can you leave outdoor Christmas lights on overnight?

Christmas tree lights should not be left on for prolonged periods of time or overnight. Even LED lights can overheat, and with a combination of a dry Christmas tree, could cause a fire. Make it a habit to turn off your Christmas lights every time you leave the house or go to bed at night.

Dickson Cojoc

Pundit

How do I decorate my outdoor Christmas tree?

  1. Create a ball of lights to make wrapping easier, connect male plug to power source at base of tree.
  2. Wrap lights up the trunk, leaving space to wrap back down if desired.
  3. Wrap lights up the trunk, leaving space to wrap back down if desired.
  4. Wrap lights up and down the length of main branches.

Tsanko Ibañez

Pundit

How do you attach Christmas lights to fascia?

Push a clip onto the fascia board near the edge of the board with the hook for the light strand facing out. Clip the light strand into the hook. If you are using clothespins, hold the end of the light strand against the fascia board edge and clip it in place with the clothespin.

Anatael Brantuas

Teacher

Where do you plug outdoor Christmas lights?

In the outdoor sockets. I plug them in a socket in the front room and then put the cord through the window (is the sort that can be opened and I close it once they're through). Like Miranda through a window through to front room. We use a timer so we don't need to remember to turn them on and off.

Jordy Jerico

Teacher

How do you attach Christmas lights to wood?

Screw 1/2-inch cup hooks into the underside of the wooden table. Since the cup hook threads are only about 1/4-inch long, they will not screw through the tabletop. String the Christmas light wires through the hooks to hang the lights. Unscrew the hooks after Christmas to use the following year.

Meridith Arquillo

Teacher

How many lights do I need for an outdoor tree?

A good rule of thumb is 100 lights for every foot-and-a-half of tree. However, if you love lights, you may want to double or even triple that amount.

Farid Sanglas

Teacher

How do you hang outdoor string lights on a patio?

Hanging Patio String Lights Basic Steps
  1. Draw a rough sketch with measurements.
  2. Assemble your poles if applicable.
  3. If using guy wire, hang this first.
  4. Hang your first patio light string with the male plug closest to your outlet.
  5. Use zip ties or hooks between each bulb as needed on deck railings or other structures.

Adelo Hera

Supporter

How do you hang Christmas lights on concrete?

Steps
  1. Tap lightly on your stucco to see if it has Styrofoam backing.
  2. Avoid using hot glue if your stucco is painted.
  3. Remove the light bulbs prior to installing your strings.
  4. Apply a small bead of glue to the side of the first empty bulb socket.
  5. Hold the light socket to the wall for 4 to 5 seconds.

Raydel Slepica

Supporter

How do you hang string lights in your backyard without trees?

Method 1 Hanging Lights along a Fence
  1. Lay your string lights out along the fence where you want to hang them.
  2. Select wooden posts that can support your lights.
  3. Attach metal mounting hooks or cup hooks onto the wooden posts.
  4. Install the posts onto your fence to support your lights.

Conceso Jamila

Supporter

Is there a difference between indoor and outdoor Christmas lights?

That's because some Christmas lights are designed for just indoor use, and others are designed for both indoor use and outdoor use. But if you're using indoor lights for outdoor displays – that's a problem. Because indoor lights really aren't designed to stand up to the rigors of outdoor life.

Bintou Reifs

Beginner

What happens when you use indoor lights outside?

You should not use an indoor light fixture outdoors in wet locations. They aren't sealed against moisture and will stop working during the first heavy rain. Moreover, they aren't corrosion resistant and could become an electrocution hazard if the parts that cover the electrical connections deteriorate.

Bjorg Kokalari

Beginner

Is there a difference between indoor and outdoor lights?

Outdoor light bulbs are more variable. Typically, they are interchangeable for indoor and outdoor use. In contrast, indoor lights are not designed to withstand outdoor temperature changes.

Billel Happold

Beginner

Is it OK for Christmas lights to get wet?

"If your lights go out this time of year, don't go out in the rain and try to fix them," said Elias. "Wait until it dries out. You can get an electrical shock from water transfer. So you don't want anything to be wet, you don't want to be wet.

Miluta Sulca

Beginner

Can You Put outdoor lights on Christmas tree?

When adding Christmas lights to trees in the garden, simply wrap lights around it from the base upwards – in the same way an indoor tree is decorated. This works best on a traditional fir style tree, but also works well on trees without dense foliage.

Co-Authored By:

EveryThingWhat Staff Editor

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28th January, 2020

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