How to Hang Outdoor Christmas Lights Like a Pro
Anyone can string up some Christmas lights, but you aren't just anyone. Follow our tips to become the envy of your neighbors and leave them wondering how you made your house look like it's straight out of a Christmas movie.
![Classic Home With Beautiful Christmas Lights Lining the Roof how to hang Christmas lights](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-Beauty_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1603729241442.webp)
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With a little planning and the tips below, you can hang Christmas lights like a pro.
Ever driven past a house that’s fully decked out for Christmas and wondered how the owner achieved such a beautiful feat? Not to mention — how could they afford so many Christmas lights? Truth is, with a few simple tips and tricks, lighting up your entire house with Christmas lights can be both easy and affordable. You just need to know a few insider tricks, so we’ve taken the time to share our best tips to help you have the most lit holiday house on your block.
![Hang Outdoor Lights](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/video/9/94/941/9410/9410485.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.85.suffix/1661860866602.webp)
1. Measure Before You Buy
Before you load up your shopping cart with boxes and boxes of Christmas lights, determine how many feet you'll need (Image 1). Be sure to account for every spot you plan to illuminate, measuring spiraling locations, like front porch columns, using string (Images 2 & 3). Don’t forget to measure the distance to your nearest grounded outdoor outlet and plan accordingly. Need help deciding on lights? See our picks for best outdoor Christmas lights.
![A measuring tape is used to measure a window on the exterior of a home for accurate fitting of Christmas string lights.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-Measure_V.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1603729239716.webp)
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![This man is seen wrapping string around a porch column to measure for custom-cut Christmas string lights. This method allows the lights to be cut at the exact length needed to cover the columns from top to bottom.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-String-2_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1603729239412.webp)
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![This string has been tied at a knot and a measuring tape is being used to measure the distance to the knotted portion of the string.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-String-1_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1603729239543.webp)
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2. Make a Diagram
To help yourself remember your plans once it’s time to hang the lights, make a diagram showing your measurements. Use this to calculate the materials needed using this equation: distance/6 = number of lights needed. This works for strands with 6-inch spacing, which we recommend using to achieve a fuller look.
![Making Plans for Installing Christmas Lights on Home Exterior Plans for Installing Exterior Christmas Lights](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-Diagram_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1603729240236.webp)
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3. Buy Bulk Socket Lines Online
Buying bulk socket lines online rather than stringing together standard lights will save you money and offer a level of customization that is otherwise not achievable. With bulk lines, you simply cut off your desired length using wire cutters, make the male and female ends using vampire plugs and then screw in the bulbs (Images 1 to 3). Choose between C7 and C9 bulk socket lines or opt for a combo, but be sure to buy varying bulb sizes in the same color temperature for consistency. As you cut and assemble all your lines, label with clear tape to aid in future installation. Most importantly, be sure to test your lines before you go to the trouble of hanging them.
![Pliers are used to cut bulk Christmas string lights to a custom length. The wire is made to be cut to a custom length and fitted with ends for perfectly sized string lights.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-Bulk-3_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1603729240906.webp)
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![Clips are installed on the ends of bulk string lights to allow them to plug into one another.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-Bulk-2_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1603729241029.webp)
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![Clips are added to the ends of bulk string lights to allow them to plug into one another.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-Bulk-1_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1603729240952.webp)
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4. Hang Lights
Time to hang some lights! The best way to create a fully illuminated look is to work from the top down. Safety first: Before climbing the ladder, get someone to spot you and securely hold the ladder to prevent any shifting (Image 1). On roof lines, use universal clips to fasten lights under shingles and onto gutters (Image 2). For more difficult areas like cement and brick chimneys, hot glue will effectively hold the lights in place. This tip works for metal surfaces as well; just secure the lines with painter’s tape until the hot glue hardens (Image 3). Where appropriate, wrap lights and greenery together to pack a double dose of Christmas cheer (Image 4). Lastly, secure garland and power cords with zip ties so they don’t stray or fall (Image 5).
![This person is seen holding a ladder to ensure safety as another person installs Christmas lights on the exterior of a home.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-Ladder_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1603729240018.webp)
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![These handy clips are used to hold custom cut lengths of Christmas string lights in place on a roof. The clips hold the light bulbs themselves, creating a consistent line of lights across the roof of a house.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-Clip_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1603729240582.webp)
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![Hot glue is applied to a window sill to hold Christmas lights in place. Painter's tape is used as a temporary hold while the hot glue sets.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-Glue_V.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1603729240222.webp)
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![Greenery is wrapped around a porch post for a festive Christmas addition on the exterior of a home.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-Greenery_V.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1603729240298.webp)
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![This outdoor extension cord is held in place with a zip tie to keep it form pulling the Christmas lights off of the house. The Christmas string lights are custom cut from a bulk spool of string lights.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-Zip-Ties_V.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1603729241754.webp)
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5. Add Grounded Power Stakes
Before you plug the lights into just any outlet, take the safe route by placing a GFCI stake in the ground as your power source. These come in various sizes and many have the energy-saving option to place your lights on a timer.
![Running Outdoor Power With a GFCI Ground Stake A GFCI-Protected Power Stake in Mulch](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-Power-Stake_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1603729240723.webp)
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6. Wrap It Up
When following this guide, remember to adjust to your specific needs. Hanging Christmas lights looks different for every house and whatever works best for yours is sure to make the season bright!
![A Family Looks at Their Beautifully Decorated Home Beautifully Decorated Home With Christmas String Lights](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/26/Original_PopFizz_HGTV-Holiday-2020_House-Lights-Beauty-1_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1603729241397.webp)
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More Advice & Inspiration
The Best Outdoor Christmas Lights to Make Your House Merry and Bright
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40+ Outdoor Holiday Lighting Ideas That Dazzle 44 Photos
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