Christmas Lights Decorating Ideas Outdoor

Buff Strickland

It's the time of year when we like to add a little festive sparkle to everything, from our tree to our clothes, to our home's exterior. String lights add that touch of whimsy that gets everyone feeling a bit nostalgic. There are plenty of outdoor Christmas light ideas, but don't skimp on using lights for indoor decorating ideas. It's easy to incorporate lights into your Christmas garlands draped over mantels or stair banisters. Adding battery powered lights to mason jars makes for a pretty centerpiece. String lights are one of the best ways to trim Christmas trees, second only to Christmas tree toppers.

After the inside of your home is sufficiently lit, it is time to focus on outdoor Christmas decorations. Add Christmas lanterns to stair stoops or hang from low tree branches. Outline your front path with colorful lights. An outdoor tree lit up is also a nice touch. Turn your yard into an evergreen forest by making trees out of fairy lights and tomato cages. There is no such thing as going overboard when it comes to decorating with string lights.

Still looking for other ways to make your home merry and bright? Try illuminating your space with the best Christmas candles.

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Pompom LED String Lights

These fun pompom string lights are the perfect way to add a touch of holiday whimsy to an indoor space.

family sitting outdoors under a tree decorated with lights

Buff Strickland

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Luminaries

To create these low-key country luminaries, draw and then drill a star or snow make pattern into assorted buckets. (You'll need a standard drill with a 3/16-inch drill bit.) Then hang fairy lights inside.

Buy Metal Buckets

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Christmas Wreath with Lights

Make holiday visits from friends and family extra bright by either stringing fairy lights into a fresh Christmas wreath on your front door, or purchasing a pre-lit wreath like this one.

hay bales in the shape of a christmas tree

Buff Strickland

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mini fire pit using christmas lights

Courtesy of Free People Blog

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DIY Flameless Fire Pit

Don't have a fireplace? Add extra "warmth" to your living space by creating this adorable faux fire pit. (Roasted marshmallows not included.)

Get the tutorial at Free People.

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Courtesy of Making Lemonade

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Fairy Light Jars

Our favorite country staple gets the holiday treatment in this DIY project: Simply fill a Mason jar with a bunch of string lights, then cluster together on a mantel or entryway table.

Get the tutorial at Making Lemonade.

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Courtesy of 17 Apart

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Tomato Cage Christmas Trees

Haul out your tomato cages from the garden shed and wrap the wires with LED lights. This Christmas decoration couldn't be easier!

Get the tutorial at 17 Apart.

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Courtesy of Free People

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DIY Alternative Christmas Tree

If you don't have space for a large Christmas tree, try this alternative version that's just as beautiful. Simply stack a few twigs in vertical, descending order and add Christmas lights along the edges. Further decorate with holiday greenery, such as sprigs of pine needle and frosted pinecones.

Get the tutorial at Free People.

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Courtesy of Pink Pistachio

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Snow Globe Terrariums

It will only take you 10 minutes to pull off these adorable DIY winter-themed terrariums. Pick up a few apothecary jars and stuff them with fake snow, LED lights, vintage figurines and bottlebrush trees.

Get the tutorial at Pink Pistachio.

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Courtesy of A Bubbly Life

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DIY Copper Lighted Wreaths

This chic decoration is like a simplified Christmas wreath. Bend some copper coils into spheres, then wrap them with matching copper string firefly lights. Vary the sizes for a glowing mismatched display.

Get the tutorial at A Bubbly Life.

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Courtesy of A Piece of Rainbow

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Faux Metal Star Lantern

This lantern is actually made out of cut cardstock—so creative! Blogger Ananda offers a free download of her stencil templates and rust pattern so that you can recreate your own starry faux metal lamp, lit with Christmas lights.

Get the tutorial at A Piece of Rainbow.

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courtesy of mucho crafts

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Twine Spheres

No need to buy those twine balls sold in craft stores—you can easily make your own with some balloons, twine, and Mod Podge. Once you're done, insert a string of lights inside, and you've got yourself a stunning holiday decoration.

Get the tutorial at Mucho Crafts.

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Courtesy of Song Bird Blog

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Stars Garland Christmas Mantel

Use reclaimed wood to create your own little Christmas village. Then cut out stars from colored wrapping paper and sew them onto some fairy lights.

Get the tutorial at Song Bird Blog.

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Courtesy of Create Craft Love

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Lighted Burlap Garland

To decorate for a rustic Christmas this year, try sprucing up your garland by adding festively colored burlap ribbons to a string of white lights.

Get the tutorial at Create Craft Love.

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Courtesy of Nest of Posies

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Hallway Twinkle Lights

Make your hallway 100 percent more magical in under 15 minutes, thanks to multiple strands of Christmas lights.

Get the tutorial at Nest of Posies.

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Courtesy of Song Bird Blog

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Courtesy of All Things Heart and Home

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Mason Jar Light

Calling all Mason jar fans: All you need to create this rustic front door decoration is some grapevine wire, burlap ribbon, and bundles of white lights.

Get the tutorial at All Things Heart and Home.

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Courtesy of DIY Vintage Chic

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Outdoor Lighted Christmas Presents

DIY these trendy holiday decorations with some wood, outdoor lights, and ribbon. Once you create the boxes in your desired dimensions, stuff some Christmas lights inside and wrap the exterior.

Get the tutorial at DIY Vintage Chic.

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