They twinkle, they sparkle, they gleam and glimmer. The most essential element of all your holiday decorations, Christmas lights can be used in a variety of ways to bring Christmas cheer to your home and heart. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for a joyful outdoor light display, ideas for fun and festive DIY Christmas decorations or unique new ways to add glitz to your home for the holidays, these Christmas light ideas are sure to spark your creativity this holiday season.
Top Christmas Light Ideas
When you’re ready to start looking for special holiday lighting, make sure to check out our ideas below for a little festive inspiration. And while you’re shopping, make sure you have your holiday photo cards ordered and mailed before you get too busy.
1. Sparkling Christmas Card Display
Source: Shutterfly
Combine twinkling Christmas lights with strips of metallic ribbon and an assortment of Christmas cards to create this unique and festive way to display the Christmas greetings you receive this year.
2. Starry Starry Lights
Source: A Piece of Rainbow
Inspired by the popular punched tin star lanterns made in Mexico, this stunning do-it-yourself starry lights lantern is made from paper and lit from within with mini LED fairy lights. Hung on a porch, these lanterns will create a dazzling display of star-shaped lights.
3. Tabletop Holiday Scene
Source: Shutterfly
Use glimmering fairy lights, winter-themed figurines, and faux snow to create a cute and clever tabletop holiday scene that’s perfect for displaying greeting cards and family photos this Christmas season.
4. Mason Jar Porch Lights
Source: All Things Heart & Home
The warm glow of white string lights, vintage-inspired mason jars, and burlap ribbon combine to give this DIY porch light project rustic charm at Christmastime. This outdoor light display project is easily customizable to fit your space.
5. DIY Yardstick Stars
Source: The Artful Parent
Here’s a fun and easy do-it-yourself Christmas decoration project the kids will love participating in! Build stars using inexpensive yardsticks and hot glue, then wrap with twinkling lights and hang—simple and sweet!
6. Holiday Light Canvas
Source: Child At Heart
A throwback to the neon sign, this clever holiday light canvas art gives you the chance to be creative with your indoor Christmas lights. Pick your favorite holiday phrase, like Joy, Noel, or Let It Snow. Then paint your phrase on canvas, push lights through, and plug it in.
7. Tangled In Lights
Source: Shutterfly
Christmas lights aren’t just for decoration anymore. The holiday staple makes a sweet accessory in your family’s Christmas photos, too. Kids and pets are extra festive and simply adorable when draped in lights that add color and a soft glow to snapshots—perfect for your annual holiday cards.
8. Festive Holiday Home
Source: Christmas Decor
The most beautiful outdoor holiday lights give a nod to the architectural and design elements of your home. A simple string of lights along a roofline and a lighted pine garland around archways will create a warm and welcoming glow this holiday season.
9. Glitzy Trees
Source: Christmas Decor
Don’t skimp on the string lights if you want to create an outdoor Christmas tree light display that dazzles! Wrap every branch from top to bottom in bright white lights—and then add more. Santa Claus will have no trouble finding your home on Christmas Eve with this glitzy tree to guide his way.
10. Red And White Christmas Delight
Source: Christmas Decor
Simple and elegant, a single strand of red and white exterior Christmas lights strung neatly along the fascia will showcase the style and craftsmanship of your home this Christmas. Bold red floodlights planted in the ground and aimed upward set the scene for view worthy of next year’s Christmas card.
11. Glowing Snowflakes Wreath
Source: Design Improvised
This elegantly festive Christmas decor gives off a gorgeous glow when lit at night. Best of all, it’s surprisingly easy to make using snowflake ornaments in a variety of shapes and sizes, a single strand of white string lights, and a glamorous golden ribbon for hanging.
12. Feather Boa Topiaries
Source: Hometalk
This quick and easy DIY decor project uses fluffy white feather boas and twinkling lights to create a topiary tree that’s perfect for a winter wonderland Christmas party theme.
13. Sparkling Snowflakes
Source: LKM Landscaping
Dress up your outdoor Christmas decorations with hanging sparkling snowflake lights along your roofline. Add a trio of glimmering lighted wreaths to display your holiday spirit elegantly.
14. Candy Cane Lights
Source: LKM Landscaping
Add some deliciously fun flair to your outdoor Christmas light design with some sweet and funky light-up candy canes strung along your roofline. Continue the candy cane theme with a large light-up display and red-and-white string lights wrapped around trees.
15. DIY Lighted Twine Spheres
Source: Mucho Crafts
Follow the simple instructions to create your own festive lighted twine spheres. Rustic yet chic, this DIY decor gives off a gorgeous glow stacked under your tree and also makes a fun Christmas table decoration. Bonus—miniature versions of these same spheres make super cute matching ornaments for your holiday tree.
16. DIY Twine Ball Lanterns
Source: Splash of Something
Balls of twine and twinkling lights hang in a bunch to create a fun and functional Christmas light lantern display (that can be used all year long). Made using a simple paper mache technique, the twine balls can also be made into adorable DIY Christmas ornaments.
17. Front Porch Mini Trees
Source: Sunny Side Up
Give a warm holiday welcome to visitors this Christmas with fully decorated mini trees lighting up your front porch. Adorn side-by-side seedlings with Christmas tree decorations, garland and twinkling lights for a fun and inviting yuletide greeting.
18. A Berry Rustic Christmas
Source: The Cavender Diary
Dress up inexpensive craft store Christmas garland with red berry floral picks, bright white string lights and vintage punched tin reflectors to border your front door in rustic charm. A steer skull wreath adds a little bit of country to your Christmas decor.
19. Fireside Logs And Lights
Source: The Polohouse
Fill a vintage container, like this antique galvanized olive basket, with freshly cut logs, pinecones, and sparkling Christmas lights to create your own stylish holiday home decor. This festive fireside basket will look as great on the front porch as it will inside by the fireplace.
20. Basket of Baubles
Source: Unskinny Boppy
Here’s a quick and easy do-it-yourself decoration that takes just seconds to assemble but looks stunning for the holidays. Toss a strand of white lights into a decorative box or basket and fill with colorful or classy Christmas bulbs.
Resources Related to Christmas Light Ideas
If you liked this list of Christmas light ideas and you’re looking for more inspiration, we have you covered. From fun family activities that can become new traditions to a memorable holiday celebration, Christmas lights are just part of the magic. Just make sure that you find your perfect Christmas gifts for your loved ones while you’re shopping for new lights.
