The Best Outdoor Christmas Lights to Brighten Your Landscape
Have you put up your outdoor Christmas decorations yet? Did you notice a bunch of burnt-out bulbs or tangled wires and think, “Oh no, not again”? Maybe this is your first Christmas season in your new home and you want to really highlight your holiday spirit.
If you need new lights, consider upgrading or changing colors. (Although remember that warm white lights, depending on the style, can be used for other occasions.) Whatever look you’re going for, it pays to do your research. Lucky for you, we’ve pulled together some reviews to help you get quality outdoor Christmas lights you can use for years to come.
To read the full reviews and methodologies that went into this list, visit:
Best String Lights
Prextex gets high marks for their string lights, as do Amazon Basic, Phillips, and YIQU. Look for lights where you can string together several strands. Decide if you prefer the economy of incandescent lights or if you want to upgrade and go for longevity with LED lights. And choose warm or cool white, or multicolored.
Best Icicle Lights
Icicle lights were tremendously popular when they first came out, but they’re not to everyone’s taste. If you love the look, here are the top brands according to the reviews: Kringle Traditions, Toodour, and JMEXSUSS.
Best C9 Bulb String Lights
C9 bulbs are back, and better than ever. These large bulbs were popular in the 60s and 70s before the mini string lights and the pre-lit Christmas trees hit the market. Now they’re LED lights and come in warm white, cool white, and a variety of colors. Minetom, Hayata, and Wintergreen Lighting C9 Christmas lights all get high marks.
In addition to these 3 basic styles of lights, there are all sorts of other options including globe lights, meteor shower lights, pathway lights, and more. If you love the holiday season and have storage space, the possibilities are endless!
Get the Extras Now
Consider springing for a Christmas lights storage reel where you just wind up strings of lights rather than stuffing them all tangled into a box to deal with next year.
If you don’t already have outdoor extension cords, get a few now. Consider getting green ones that camouflage better in the grass than bright orange ones.
Save yourself the trouble of turning your lights on and off and get however many light timers you will need. You’ll find that you will use the timers at other times of the year as well.
Read Your HOA Bylaws
Before spending a bundle on new lights, inflatables, and yard decorations, if you’re new to the neighborhood, read your HOA bylaws. Talk with your neighbors. Some HOAs limit the type, style, and a number of decorations you can have, and that includes color and style of lights.
Play It Safe
If you’re not too sturdy on a ladder, but want to light up your roofline, consider hiring someone to put up your Christmas lights this year. There are all sorts of companies that can do it, for a fee. If you’re doing it yourself, always have a helper on the ground.
Dream It. Build It. Live It.
While we can’t help you put up your Christmas lights, we can help you upgrade and enhance your landscape design, landscape lighting, and turn your backyard into a pool paradise. Did you know winter is actually the best time to start planning for the following summer? If you’re dreaming of your own inground pool or entertaining on a new patio, we can help. We turn your outdoor living dreams into reality.
We are now setting design consultation appointments for 2023. Check out our Portfolio for examples of our work, and to gain inspiration. We work with homeowners throughout the Capital Region, including Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
