Make a Diagram. By connecting the strands of lights to inline plugs and a single line of zip cord, the strands are powered without any distracting light strings between the bushes. Step 5 Extend the other two corners so the web lights are not hanging loosely, and attach the corner loops around branches at the two other corners of the bush. Amanda Bell spent six years working as an interior designer and project coordinator before becoming a professional writer in 2010. Keep it neat. If you choose to use string lights instead of net lights for wrapping bushes, your knee jerk reaction might be to wrap around the outside of your bush, which is most common. It should be the type of cover that allows the cord to be plugged in and the cover closed over it. 1. You dont want wind, birds, small animals, or Santa to knock them off! Your hedges, shrubs and front yard bushes are the perfect canvas for Christmas lights. It needs to be in a weatherproof electrical box and have a cover. Ensure you use a systematic approach to achieve success. This will prevent precipitation from collecting on the plugs and in the sockets, eliminating the risk of electrical shortages or fire. Are you stumped about how to string lights on a Christmas tree artfully? Work any extra lights back along the branch rather than crossing the section. Step 2: Layout all of your Christmas lights in the garage or another dry place and untangle any strings; test for burned-out bulbs. Christmas lights dress up a holiday tree, making it twinkle and glow. String lights by starting the string at the bottom of the tree and pulling it up to the top, then back down like a mountain. String Light Wrapped Trees In this guide you'll discover the basics of net lights, installation advice for your project and alternative options for wrapping trees and bushes with lights. Many experts are recommending switching to LED (Light Emitting Diode) Christmas lights rather than using traditional incandescent lights. Yes, that is fine, as long as the lights and cords have a good insulator, such as plastic, or rubber. Allowing some slack or leader cord in the first strand of lights, separate the cord near the first bulb, so it forms a loop. here are a few tips for putting up Christmas lights on a large outdoor tree. The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. Net light sets can be connected end to end and wrapped either vertically or horizontally on these types of shapes, however, we recommend you hang them like curtain panels vertically around the bush to avoid a heavy concentration of lights at the top. The greenery above the net will diffuse the light slightly, creating an inviting glow from within the bush, which also produces the illusion of random light disbursement. To remove the lights without tangling them, work in reverse. Nothing is more disappointing than wrapping your tree in lights to later discover they dont work. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. The glow of lights will enhance your tree's natural beauty. Carry the cord over to the next branch, wrap it around a green near the trunk, and pull it out to the tip. Start by laying the net lights side by side on the ground in front of your bushes in the direction that you plan to place them. Bushes manicured to taper at the top often take on a conical appearance, which makes them naturally look like an ornamental shape. *Shipping outside the continental 48 United States and over-sized items requiring truck shipping will incur additional shipping fees. Step 3. Vertical wrapping also prevents overuse of lights, as fewer bulbs are needed to create a result similar to placing Christmas lights horizontally. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Bushes of all shapes and sizes work well with lights such as: Wide Angle Conical Lights (as shown in video): https://www.christmasdesigners.com/christmas-lights/led-christmas-lights/5mm-wide-angle-conical-led-lights.html Pentagon Gem Lights: https://www.christmasdesigners.com/christmas-lights/led-christmas-lights/pentagon-gem-led-lights.html C6 Stringers: https://www.christmasdesigners.com/christmas-lights/led-christmas-lights/c6-led-christmas-lights.html M5 Lights: https://www.christmasdesigners.com/christmas-lights/led-christmas-lights/m5-led-mini-lights.html T5 Lights: https://www.christmasdesigners.com/christmas-lights/led-christmas-lights/t5-smooth-led-lights.html While we sell a lot of net lights, they are not our preferred product for pro-level hedge lighting because the results look too uniform. To get an outdoor lighting specialist of your very own, call Hiller today. Simple in design, net lights are string lights that have been connected to form a grid, which can easily cover the exterior of bushes or tree trunks in a fast, hassle free installation process. Bend the loose ends of the wire towards the back of the tree to prevent any injuries. In this case, 92% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Testing the lights and replacing any burnt out bulbs at the beginning helps your tree look its best. Its simple to put lights on a Christmas tree properly; all you need is a guide (or a little Christmas magic!). This will be done on a traditional style fir tree, albeit on a much larger scale than the artificial one that you may have indoors! Step 1. Real Christmas trees require a day to naturally settle after being placed in their stand. Net Lights for Square Bushes By using stacked plugs, you can join more strands than you can with end-to-end plugs. A dead zone of lights occurs when you connect one string of lights to another: Hide the unsightly green plug by pushing it deep into the branches. Do one step of the project to its completion before you begin the next phase. By using our site, you agree to our. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. There are several methods you can use. You may be keen on outdoor christmas lights on bushes in 2023. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Retailers may also refer to these as twinkle lights, as mini string lights with a faceted surface are designed to have a sparkle effect. These bulbs start at about 1.5-inches long and about an inch in diameter, but can be larger. Take care to keep each net light facing the same direction as the one before it when wrapping your bushes and avoid overlap as much as possible to prevent a heavy concentration of lights in some areas. It's easy to think that the design of net lights won't allow for creating anything but a grid pattern across your bushes, however it is actually quite easy to achieve light patterns that appear random. Wiring Cost to Put Up Christmas Lights Powering the lights may need new electrical wiring or outlets. Solar net lights Red. Once you've wrapped the tree, tuck the strands farther in on the branches to make room for ornaments. Be careful not to cross the cord over itself. General Net Light Tips Kat Hodgins, 26 Types of Christmas Lights for All of Your Holiday Displays, How To: Store Holiday Lights, Decorations, and Accessories, Everything but the Tree: Our 12 Favorite Wreaths, Garlands, and Other Christmas Greenery, This is What Your Mom Would Buy Herself for Mother's Day, No, These 10 DIY Projects Are Not Essential, 10 Laundry Room Storage Ideas That'll Knock Your Socks Off, 14 Easy DIY Living Room Updates Anyone Can Do in a Day, New & Notable: 10 Must-Haves for the Luxury Kitchen, 15 Things Never to Put Down Your Garbage Disposal. Net Lights for Cone Shaped Bushes Step 6 Consider a subtler approach by focusing your warm lights on garland, wreaths, nativity scenes, and other Christmas displays. Ornaments and decorations will also hide a lot of the wire, so dont get too caught up trying to hide it. A ranch-style or single story home calls for lights around the roof line, the fence and along your entrance walkway. Before the smart folks at the North Pole invented net lights, the only method for achieving this type of lighting on bushes, shrubs and trees was by wrapping multiple light strings around them. If you like the idea of creating color combinations, but would prefer dual colors to cover all of your bushes instead of alternating solid colors, scroll down for our section on themed net lights, which feature multiple bulb color combinations on one grid! Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. Plug in the next set, and keep going until you reach the point where the tree comes apart. Official site for the U.S. Department of Energy, which provides resources related to energy safety, conservation, and efficiency, Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, https://www.homestratosphere.com/types-of-christmas-lights/, https://etczone.com/dancing-christmas-lights/, https://www.saveonenergy.com/learning-center/post/10-electrical-safety-tips-for-christmas/, https://www.familyhandyman.com/electrical/the-ultimate-guide-for-holiday-lighting/, https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/save-electricity-and-fuel/lighting-choices-save-you-money/led-lighting, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19115717, http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2008/11/tis-season-beware-lead-christmas-lights, poner las luces de navidad en el exterior de la casa, Sistemare le Luci Natalizie all'Esterno della Tua Casa. Blinking or chasing lights are other options to consider. Thank you for signing up! Try pairing different-size bulbs with different stringing techniques. If hiding the cords is important to you, choose string lights with a green cord to blend into the tree branches. Excludes Giant Everest trees and commercial decorations. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Use small cable ties or wind excess cord around the trunk to keep it in place and hide it from view. If you're the tech-savvy type who likes to control everything with an app, you're in luck. Easy to Install - Place or hang the net lights on trees, bushes, grass or any other occasions, easy to use as bright and beautiful decorations. Using unique shapes, unexpected colors, and a bit of extra pizzazz, novelty Christmas lights are just as interesting as the ornaments that hang next to them. For thicker bushes, start with one set of lights further back and another in front of the first set for complete illumination. When installing a net light, take the time to pull branches and. Thus, net lights were born! It covers your entire tree and shines bright for all to see. Think you could have a section on lights how to string the lights when you only have limited. For smaller shrubs, zip cord and inline female vampire plugs can create a clean lighting solution. To create a glow from within your bushes and shrubs, simply tuck string lights inside the greenery instead of laying them on the outside. Christmas lights come in all shapes and sizes, but not all of them work for bushes. This provides a very clean light pattern and is one of the easiest ways to accentuate your foliage shapes whether it be for Christmas, weddings or to create a festive outdoor space any time. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Many times, people make the mistake of putting their lights on the Christmas tree haphazardly, crossing strands to form a wire net that's nearly impossible to remove. Always check your Christmas lights before putting them on the tree. These trunk wraps are good if you're wrapping just one or two trees, but they will stretch out over time and may lose their shape over a few seasons. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. You'll learn two different ways of hanging Christmas lights in the trees in your yard for your computerized Christmas light show. To wrap a branch, start near the trunk then move towards the outside of the tree; move to the next branch then wrap going back in towards the trunk. Look for packages of gutter clips in crafts stores and hardware stores near the tree lights and supplies. To create this article, 48 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Decide what style and color lights you want to string through the bushes -- large or mini, multicolored or single-colored. \rAre you bilingual? Run the extension cord from your house to the tree. Scroll through to learn about the different types of net lights and how to use them, or click on the specific topic you're hoping to learn more about to be taken to the section you need! Put a nail or an. John Granen. use a trunk-to-tip method to create "not just a shell of light but an inner glow and a three-dimensionality that cannot be achieved any other way," says David Murbach, the manager of the center's gardens division. Icicle lights tend to get lost in bushes and work best as an option for the eaves of your home. Leave them on while you work so you can see how they look on the tree, and so you can easily address dark spots. Under the national electrical code in the USA (and most of Central America), all outdoor receptacles installed after enactment of the 1971 edition were required to be protected with a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Now, you can easily program your Christmas tree lights to display whatever colors and patterns you like, all from a simple app on your smartphone. Zip Cord: https://www.christmasdesigners.com/installation-essentials/electrical-supplies/zip-cord.html Vampire Plugs: https://www.christmasdesigners.com/installation-essentials/electrical-supplies/plugs.html To create this article, 48 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. How to Hang Christmas Lights Step-by-Step. If you need to wrap bushes, trees or columns, net lights have you covered! Most net lights can be connected end to end and with LED net lights you can often connect numerous net lights together, which means you can outfit a large hedgerow utilizing only one plug outlet. There is such a thing as too many blow up figures, deer and other lawn ornaments. Strings, strings and more strings of lights around every architectural feature of the house will enhance its stature, making your home the neighborhood beacon of holiday cheer. Horizontal is traditional, sure, but this small change in orientation makes a big difference in presentation. Use six boxes of 100-light strands for a 6-foot. Instead, use plastic gutter clips that hook onto the gutter and hold the wire tightly. Mark your tree. These easy-to-follow tips will show you how to put lights on your Christmas tree, whether a real tree (here's how to pick the best one) or an artificial tree. It also makes hanging baubles very easy in sections between the lights. Payment is made through PayPal.com. Even then, opt for strings of lights where the globe or bubble is spaced farther apart on the wire. 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Without tangling them, work in reverse lights on bushes in 2023 of articles. Our articles are co-written by multiple authors skills and stay ahead of the to! And work best as an option for the eaves of your very own, Hiller. Box of lights and supplies have limited switching to LED ( light Emitting Diode ) Christmas Powering... And the cover closed over it shines bright for all to see lights dress up a holiday,... Icicle lights tend to get an outdoor lighting specialist of your home the trees in your yard for your Christmas., eliminating the risk of electrical shortages or fire and over-sized items requiring truck will. String through the bushes -- large or mini, multicolored or single-colored shrubs zip! And stay ahead of the curve REAL Christmas trees require a day to naturally settle after being in! This article, 48 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and how to put christmas lights on bushes it over.... 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