Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
1
Outdoor Christmas Tree
Take the tree outside! This covered porch is the perfect spot for an outdoor tree decked out with pine cones and dried orange slices. Clip-on LED candles and galvanized bells add to the glow.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
These fun pompom string lights are the perfect way to add a touch of holiday whimsy to an indoor space.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
3
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
National Tree Company Christmas Wreath with Lights
4
National Tree Company 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.
5
Hay Bale Christmas Tree
Use colorful fairy lights and string them back and forth on a stack of hay bales.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
6
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
8
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
9
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
11
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
12
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
13
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
14
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
15
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
16
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
17
Christmas Fairy Lights
Christmas trick: Place lights in front of a mirror to create the illusion of an even brighter display.
See more at Song Bird Blog.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
18
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
19
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.
