Christmas Decorations Ideas: 20 Simple Ways to Decorate
Start with measurements and power, not style. Measure your tree, railing and rooflines, then buy lights and garland to those lengths, and check every label for indoor or outdoor use. A 7-foot tree needs roughly 700 mini lights, and outdoor lights and cords must be rated for outdoor use.
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What decides the purchase
Three things decide whether decorations look good and work safely: the length you need to cover, where the item will live (indoor or outdoor), and how you will power it. Style is the easy part. We have not tested any products, so this guide covers sizing rules, label checks and mistakes to avoid. It does not rank products.
Measure first
- Tree: measure from the base to the tip, not counting the topper.
- Railings, mantels and doorways: measure the run in feet with a tape. Add 10 to 15 percent if you want garland to swag instead of hang straight.
- Rooflines and fences: measure the edge you will outline, then count corners and downspouts, which eat extra length.
- Outlets: note where each outdoor outlet is and how far it is from the display.
How much to buy for a typical house
Decorators commonly suggest about 100 mini lights per foot of tree height, so a 6-foot tree takes about 600 lights. Some retailers say LED sets can use fewer, around 50 per foot, and a slimmer tree can use 25 to 30 percent fewer. For a fuller look, many guides go up to 200 per foot.
For garland on the tree itself, one source suggests about nine feet per foot of height, which works out to about 63 feet for a 7-foot tree. The same source suggests 10 to 15 standard ornaments per foot for trees under 9 feet.
| Item | Rule of thumb | 7-foot tree or typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Mini lights | 100 per foot of height | About 700 (seven 100-light sets) |
| Tree garland | About 9 ft per foot of height | About 63 ft |
| Ornaments | 10 to 15 per foot under 9 ft | 70 to 105 |
| Wreath | Roughly half to two thirds of door width | An 18 to 24 inch wreath suits a standard door |
Worked example: a 30-foot porch railing
- Measure the railing: 30 feet.
- Buy garland for a gentle swag: 30 feet plus about 15 percent is 34.5 feet, so buy 35 feet. Two 9-foot and two 9-foot pieces joined together would also work, but joins show, so fewer, longer pieces look better.
- If the garland has no lights, add a string of warm white LEDs the same length plus a few feet for the weave. About 45 to 50 feet covers a swagged 30-foot run.
- Plan for 4 to 6 bows or clusters, roughly one every 5 to 7 feet.
- Check the power: confirm the lights and cord are labeled for outdoor use and plug into a GFCI outlet.
This is our arithmetic, not a manufacturer spec. Check the length printed on the package, because "12 foot" can include several feet of plain lead wire.
Outdoor ratings and power
The safety rules here come from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
- Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they are certified for outdoor use.
- Indoors or outside, use only lights tested by a recognized testing laboratory. Look for a UL or ETL mark on the box or tag.
- Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters.
- Make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use.
- Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls or other firm supports.
Plug-in outdoor timers also help, and a timer takes care of the shut-off rule below.
Shop outdoor-rated extension cords
Power limits and cord mistakes
CPSC advises no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. That advice dates from older incandescent sets. LED sets draw far less, but the box states how many sets you can connect end to end, so follow that number. Seven 100-light sets for a 7-foot tree is fine if you split them across outlets or follow the label.
Other checks before you plug in:
- Check each set for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.
- Do not use electric lights on a metallic tree.
- Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house.
- Remove outdoor lighting as soon as the season is over, since the lights are not made for long exposure to the elements.
20 simple ways to decorate
Indoors
- Light the tree with warm white mini lights at about 100 per foot.
- Use ornaments in two or three colors for a calm look.
- Mix ornament sizes, with large ones deep inside the branches.
- Wrap the tree base with a skirt or basket instead of a skirt that hides presents.
- Hang a garland across the mantel, held with removable hooks.
- Fill a bowl or tray with ornaments for a table centerpiece.
- Put a small pre-lit tree on an entry table or sideboard.
- Tie ribbon on stair spindles instead of wrapping the full banister.
- Hang stockings from a rail if you have no mantel.
- Light a window with battery LED candles, which avoid open flame.
Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens.
Outdoors
- Outline the roofline with C9 LED lights clipped to gutters.
- Wrap porch posts in a spiral of lights.
- Hang a wreath on the front door, sized to the door.
- Swag garland across the railing, as in the 30-foot example.
- Light a front yard tree trunk and lower branches.
- Line the walkway with stake lights.
- Hang lights along the fence line.
- Place a pair of potted evergreens by the door.
- Use window wreaths with a single bow each.
- Add a projector for a quick effect on a blank wall, if you have little time.
Storage and mistakes to avoid
- Storing lights: wrap them around a cardboard sheet or reel instead of a ball, so sockets do not crack.
- Buying by price alone: cheap sets can lack a clear safety mark or fused plug. Use only lights that have plugs containing fuses.
- Using indoor lights outside: they are not designed for it.
- Ladder falls: CPSC counted 18,400 holiday decorating injuries in emergency departments from November 2016 through January 2017, and falls were the most common at 38 percent. Have a second person hold the ladder.
- Buying too little: buy one extra string and one extra garland piece to cover gaps.
Price comparison, in general terms: LED sets usually cost more up front than incandescent but use less power, and real greenery costs more per season than artificial garland, which can be reused.
Common questions
How many Christmas lights do I need for a 7-foot tree?
A common rule is 100 mini lights per foot, so about 700 for a 7-foot tree. Some guides go up to 200 per foot for a fuller look, and a slim tree can use 25 to 30 percent fewer.
Can I use indoor Christmas lights outside?
No. CPSC advises checking labels to confirm lights are certified for outdoor use before you hang them outside. Indoor-only sets are not made for rain, cold or wind.
How many light strings can I connect to one extension cord?
CPSC advises no more than three standard-size sets of lights per extension cord. LED sets often allow more, so follow the limit printed on the package.
Should I leave Christmas lights on overnight?
No. CPSC recommends turning off holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. An outdoor timer makes this automatic.