DIY Christmas Decor: How To Refresh Your Decorations With LED Lighting

It is almost the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are approaching again, and we all know what that means- decorating your home! After some use holiday decor can become dull and out of style, and shopping for new decorations can add up quickly.

One way to refresh your decor on a budget is to add lighting to give it a new look! With some creativity, old Christmas lights can become the centerpiece for various DIY projects, reducing the need to purchase other decorative items. Plus, they are one-of-a-kind decorations that add a personal touch to your home.

Materials: 

• Lantern
• Battery-operated LED Fairy Lights
• Batteries for the lights
• Ornaments, Holiday decor, or figurines (optional)
• Ribbon or bow (optional)

Steps: 

1. Preparation:
   
   • Clean the Lantern: If your lantern has glass panels, make sure they're clean, both inside and out. 
   • Select the best Fairy lights for your lantern. We went with a warm white color temperature to match the gold finish of the lantern.
2. Insert the Lights:

   • Begin by placing the battery pack at the top or bottom of the lantern, making sure it's positioned so it's easy to switch on or off. For us, we taped it to the top of the lantern, but it can also be hidden behind or beneath any added decor.

   • Drape or coil the lights inside the lantern. Spread them out to fill the space for an even distribution of lights.

3. Add Festive Decor (optional):

   • Add in your faux snow at the base of the lantern for a wintry touch.

   • Add small Christmas ornaments, pinecones, or even small figurines like reindeer or Santa Claus if they fit. 

4. Decorate the Exterior (optional):

   • Tie a festive ribbon or bow around the top or handle of the lantern.

   • If you have garland or greenery, wrap it around the base or top of the lantern for a more rustic and festive touch.

5. Check Your Work:
   • Periodically switch on the lights to see how they look. Adjust the spacing or pattern if needed.

Safety Tips:

• Ensure the battery pack and lights are rated for the environment where the lantern will be placed (e.g. if the lantern will be outdoors, use waterproof lights and battery pack).

• Turn off or remove the batteries when you're not using the lights to prolong battery life.

Materials: 

• Wreath 
• Battery-operated or plug-in Christmas lights (mini LED lights work great for this purpose due to their size and efficiency)
• Batteries (if using battery-operated lights)
• Zip ties, floral wire, or paper clips (optional for added security)
• Extension cord (if needed)

Steps: 

1. Preparation:
   
   • Select the Right Lights: The size and type of the wreath will determine the number of lights you need. Typically, a smaller wreath might only need 50 lights, while a larger one could use 100 or more. For this, we used our 50-LED battery-powered Christmas lights. Shop our LED Christmas String lights here to select the string light perfect for your wreath!
2. Determine Starting Point:
   • If you use plug-in lights, decide where you want the plug. This will usually be at the top of the wreath if there's an easily accessible outlet nearby. Battery-operated lights are more versatile, as you don't need to consider plug placement, but you'll need a spot to hide the battery pack. 
3. Begin Stringing:
   • If you are using battery-powered lights, set the battery pack in the middle of the wreath and wrap the lights around the wreath, keeping the lights evenly spaced. 
   • Pro Tip: Untangle and stretch out the lights. This will make it easier to work with them.
4. Secure the Lights (optional):
   • If you need,  secure the lights at certain points using zip ties or floral wire. This can be especially useful if the wreath will be on a frequently used door or in a windy location.
5. Check Your Work:
   • Periodically switch on the lights to see how they look. Adjust the spacing or pattern if needed.
6. End the String:
   • Once you've gone around the entire wreath, tuck the end of the lights into the wreath or loop it back around. If using battery-operated lights, hide the battery pack behind the wreath or where it won't be easily seen. Use zip ties, floral wire, or paper clips to hook the battery pack onto the wiring of the wreath.

Safety Tips:

• If your wreath will be outdoors, ensure the lights are rated for outdoor use.
• Turn off or remove the batteries when you're not using the lights to prolong battery life.
• Turn off or unplug the lights when you leave home or go to bed. We offer timers that will automatically shut off your lights. 

Materials: 

• Window sill swag or mini garland
• Battery-operated or plug-in string lights- we used M5-50LT-PW
• Batteries (if using battery-operated lights)
• Zip ties or floral wire (optional for added security)
• Extension cord (if needed and using plug-in lights)
• Clear adhesive hooks or suction cup hooks (for window placement)

Steps: 

1. Preparation:
   
   • Choose the Right Lights: A single string of 50-100 lights might be enough for a standard window. If you want a denser look, select a string with more lights. Shop our LED Christmas String lights here to select the string light perfect for your swag!
   • Note: If you use your own string lights, plug in the lights to ensure all bulbs work. Replace any burnt-out bulbs using our replacement options.
2. Determine Starting Point:
   • Decide where you want the plug end or battery pack to be. If using plug-in lights, it should ideally be close to an outlet. If using battery-operated lights, you'll need to hide the battery pack. 
3. Begin Stringing:
   • Lay the garland flat on the ground or a table.
   • Start at one end and begin wrapping the swag with the lights. Depending on the look you want, you can wrap the lights evenly or you can weave the lights through the needles.
   • Since your window ledge is visible from both inside and outside, ensure the lights are visible from both perspectives. Be sure to tuck the wires into the swag, so they're hidden as much as possible.
   • Pro Tip: Untangle and stretch out the lights. This will make it easier to work with them.
4. Secure the Lights:
   • For added stability, especially if the window is frequently opened and closed, use zip ties or floral wire to attach the lights to the garland at regular intervals (optional).
   • Clean the window area where you plan to place adhesive or suction cup hooks. This ensures they adhere properly.
   • Place hooks at the ends of the window ledge and, if necessary, a few along its length, depending on the garland's weight and the window's length.
5. Place on Window Ledge:
   • Carefully lift the garland and place it on the window ledge, securing it with the hooks.
   • Hide the battery pack beneath the garland. If using plug-in lights, ensure the cord is discreetly routed to the power outlet.
6. Adjust and Finalize:
   • Turn on the lights to see how the illuminated garland looks.
   • Make any necessary adjustments to the placement of lights or the garland itself.

Safety Tips:

• Ensure the lights are rated for outdoor use if your swag is near a window that may be opened.
• If using an extension cord, make sure it's not a tripping hazard and is away from any areas where water might become present.

Materials: 

• Garland
• Christmas lights - we used CLS-MC7-5M25
• Extension cord (if needed)
• Zip ties or floral wire (optional for added security)

Steps: 

1. Preparation:
   
   • Select the Right Lights: Consider how long your garland is and how bright you want it to be. You might choose 25 lights for every 1-2 feet of garland for a subtle glow. For a brighter effect, opt for more lights. We chose our Multicolored C7 Christmas string lights for a more traditional look. Shop our LED Christmas String lights here to select the string light perfect for your garland!
   • Note: If you use your own bulbs, plug in the lights to ensure all bulbs work. Replace any burnt-out bulbs using our replacement options.
2. Determine Starting Point:
   • Decide where you want the plug end to be, especially if hanging the garland near an outlet. This ensures you won't have cords running in high-traffic or visible areas.
3. Begin Stringing:
   • Start at one end of the garland (where you want the plug to be) and begin weaving the lights in and out of the garland. Keep the lights taut but not so tight that they pull or distort the garland.
   • Wrap them around the garland or weave through any embellishments, such as branches or ornaments. The design is entirely up to you!
   • Pro Tip: Untangle and stretch out the lights. This will make it easier to work with them.
4. Secure the Lights (optional):
   • If you're using zip ties or floral wire, secure the lights to the garland regularly. This helps keep the lights in place, especially if the garland is in a high-traffic area or outdoors. Make sure to hide the ties or wire as best you can.
5. Check Your Work:
   • As you work, periodically step back and plug in the lights to see how they look. This will help you adjust the spacing or pattern of the lights if needed.
6. End The String:
   • When you reach the end of the garland, tuck the end of the lights into the garland, or loop it back along the garland if you have extra.
7. Plug-in and Adjust:
   • Once you've strung all the lights, plug them into an outlet. If any areas look sparse or uneven, gently adjust the lights until you're satisfied with their placement. It will also help to fluff out the garland to give it a fuller look. 

Safety Tips:

• Ensure the lights are rated for outdoor use if your garland is outdoors.
• Turn off or unplug the lights when you leave home or go to bed. We offer timers that will automatically shut off your lights.