How to Make 4 DIY Christmas Crafts with LED Lights

Do you want to elevate your decor each Christmas season but don’t know how? Adding LEDs is an easy but effective way to liven up holiday decorations. This guide lists 4 fun projects (plus 3 surprise quick ones at the end) featuring DIY Christmas lights to incorporate into your home with minimal supplies needed. All the crafts are customizable, so you can make them your own! 

Fairy Light Tree

Supplies Needed:

• Paper mache, plastic, or wooden tree 

• Fairy lights

• White tissue paper

• Tape 

• Gorilla glue 

• Optional: mini string ornaments 

Steps: 

1. Fold the white tissue paper back and forth to create a ruffled pattern.

2. Cut the tissue paper into sections, and begin taping the paper to the tree from the bottom up, creating smaller sections the closer you get to the top.

3. Once taped, use your fingers to pinch the paper to create a more ruffled look. You may need to use gorilla glue to secure the paper into place. 

4. Next, take your fairy lights, and while keeping the battery at the bottom, wrap them upward and bring them back down. Repeat this until you have run out of lights. 

5. Tuck some of the lights into the folds to create more dimension. 

6. If you’re using mini string ornaments, wrap those around the tree. 

7. Turn the fairy lights on and sit the battery pack behind or under the tree so it’s out of sight. 

Christmas Centerpiece

Supplies Needed:

• Cylinder vase

• Scissors 

• Fake snow 

• Fairy lights 

• Optional decor (for this one, we’re using pine cones and ornaments) 

Check out our socials for a video DIY of how to complete this project, or follow the steps below: 

Steps: 

1. Begin by turning the LEDs on, placing the battery pack at the bottom of the vase, and wrapping the lights around a few times.

2. Lay some fake snow on top to cover the wire and the battery pack.

3. Sit an ornament and pine cone and lay more fake snow around it. As you lay out the decor, weave the LED fairy lights through.

4. Repeat this process until you’ve reached the top of your vase, 

5. As you lay out the decor, weave the LED fairy lights through.

6. Lay any excess fairy lights at the top of the vase. 

7. If you have too many fairy lights, you can cut them to the desired length. However, we advise verifying if the lights you’re using can be cut and turning the lights off before cutting. 

8. Set it in the middle of your table. 

Clay Trees

Supplies Needed:

• LED tea lights

• Paper

• Scissors

• Rolling pin 

• Clay 

• Plastic wrap/grocery bag 

• Crafting tools 

• Paint and paintbrush 

Steps: 

1. Set the clay on plastic wrap or a grocery bag and use a rolling pin to flatten it out. 

2. Cut out a template from a piece of paper for the size of the cone you want. Smaller cones are generally easier to mold. 

3. Use the paper to outline the clay, then use a sharp tool to cut it into the desired shape.

4. Cut indents into the edges of the clay and put water on your finger to wet the edges.

5. Connect the ends of the clay and fold them in to make the cone shape. Use the same sharp tool as before to cut any excess clay. Smooth the bottom of the clay so the tree can stand flat. 

6. Seal the ends together by putting more water on your finger and pressing into the seam. 

7. Use a needle, straw, or clay crafting tool to cut holes into the cone.

8. Wait a few hours for the clay to dry. 

9. Paint the tree using white or green acrylic paint. Wait a couple of hours for it to dry. 

10. Place an LED tea light under the tree.

Ugly Christmas Sweater with Lights

Supplies Needed:

• Sweater

• Battery-powered LED lights

• Scissors 

• Safety pins 

• Hot glue 

• Gorilla glue 

• Any other materials you want to attach to the sweater (i.e., tinsel, bows, cut-outs of trees or ornaments with felt or fabric) 

Steps:

1. Get a red or green sweater. 

2. Cut your tinsel into short strips. Hot glue the strips into the sweater in any pattern you’d like. 

3. Flip the sweater inside out. Lay the lights out in the pattern you want them to illuminate. Cut out little holes, just big enough to push the light through. 

4. Secure the lights with safety pins. 

5. Keep the battery pack at the bottom of the sweater so you can put it in your pocket. 

6. Flip the sweater back right-side up and lay out the mini-bows where you want them. Use gorilla glue to secure. 

7. Turn the lights on. 

8. Tuck the battery pack into your pocket. 

Extra: 

If you're looking for a couple DIY ideas with materials you may already have at home, consider the projects below. 

If you're looking for a smaller DIY with minimal supplies, we recommend this snowman ping-pong ball!

Supplies Needed: 

• LED Tea Lights
• Ping-Pong Ball
• Permanent Marker
• Super Glue
• Knife
• Small hat, scarf, and nose (we used a build-your-own ornament kit from Michael's and used the hat, scarf, and nose that came with it)

Steps:

1. Cut an 'X' into your ping-pong ball and place the ball over the LED tea light.
2. Use a permanent market to draw on eyes and a mouth.
3. Glue on his hat, nose, and scarf.
4. Turn lights on. 

Festive Wreath

DIY your own wreath or add life to one you already own by following the steps below: 

Supplies Needed:

• 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Periodically switch on the lights to see how they look. Adjust the spacing or pattern if needed.
6. 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. 

Window Sill Swag

Create a unique arrangement for interior or exterior lighting:

Supplies Needed:

• Window sill swag or mini garland
• Battery-operated or plug-in string lights
• 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. 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. 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. 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. 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).
5. Clean the window area where you plan to place adhesive or suction cup hooks. This ensures they adhere properly.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.

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