Sure, you could kick up your feet and sip on a soul-warming mug of hot cocoa while admiring your work, but it's the most magical time of the year. And, sadly, the outside of your house is looking pretty lackluster, to say the least.
Time to roll up your sleeves and untangle the lights — you've still got some Christmas cheer installation to do!
During the holidays, there's just about nothing better than outdoor strands of Christmas lights that sparkle and shine. It brings so much jolly cheer to the outside of your home, brightening everyone's day who passes by (literally). We also love to be just a little bit different, creating a unique magical atmosphere that turns heads and drops jaws.
Wondering how we do it? With unique outdoor Christmas lights, that's how!
If you're hoping to fill your yard with fun holiday lights that will leave all the neighbors speechless, then you're in the right place.
Here are seven unique outdoor Christmas lights ideas from yours truly, BulbHead.
But First, Who’s Bright Idea Was It To Start Putting Christmas Lights On Houses?
While we have Germany’s decorating traditions to thank for the iconic Christmas tree. Specifically, a local Denver electrician named D.D Sturgeon is the genius behind outdoor Christmas lights.
Yup, it's true — back in 1914, Sturgeon was on a mission to cheer up his sick child and had the bright idea (pun totally intended) to dip some lightbulbs in red and green paint before stringing them on an evergreen tree in the front yard.
To his surprise, however, it wasn't just his little one who loved the warm glow of that thoughtful idea but the entire neighborhood. And thanks to the coverage of a Denver Post reporter, people came far and wide to get a glimpse of what everyone believed to be the first illuminated outdoor Christmas tree.
Then, the following year, Sturgeon's neighbors decided to add a little holiday cheer to their own homes and decorated their trees, too.
Fast-forward to a few years later, and the OG reporter who brought the heart-warming story to everyone's attention organized a lighting contest, with hundreds of Denver residents participating.
And in 1919, Denver's Civic Center was decked out with Christmas lights, illuminating the path (and driveways and fences) for the rest of the country's decorators to follow suit.
Today, outdoor Christmas lights are a beloved holiday tradition that grows bigger and brighter each and every year. From elaborate light displays set to music and classic white lights that dazzle, transforming the outdoors with Christmas lighting is a fun and simple way to spread holiday cheer.
Outdoor Christmas Lights Ideas That Are Anything But Basic
Have you ever driven past a house that's fully decked out for the holidays, causing you to stop in your tracks and wonder how in the world the owner achieved such an immaculate feat? While we love simplicity every once in a while, it's the unique outdoor set of lights that are the most memorable!
Don't be basic and forgettable this year. Check out some of these unique, best outdoor Christmas lights ideas below:
Create A Christmas Walkway
What better way to start our outdoor holiday lighting adventure than by the front door?
Illuminate the way to the wreath hanging on your front door by lining the walkway with large, bright, outdoor Christmas lights. Go colorful with multicolored strands of lights, or go minimal with warm white lights.
Do you live in an area where icicles naturally form on your shingles? If you don't, that's no matter: Icicle lights are the extra bulbs you didn't know you needed!
This unique bulb shape looks like ice is dripping down your roofline. Hang them from your gutters or from the spruces and firs in your front yard for a totally unique landscape.
You could also opt for lighted candy cane lights for an extra dose of holiday cheer. The choice is yours!
Paint Your House In Festive Lights
We'll be honest... This idea is a bit tedious and requires some dedication. But the outcome is just so beautiful; we promise it'll be well worth it. Essentially, you're treating your outdoor Christmas lights like paint and color blocking your house with them.
Simply grab lights in a multitude of festive colors and get to it — cover the walls in green, rim your windows in red, and blanket the roof in white for the full Christmas makeover.
Make sure you don't end up with a "worst Christmas ever" situation. Before you start decorating, test the power cords and outlets you'll be using.
Put Net Lights On The Bushes
Not sure what to do with those boring bushes out front? While you could just cover them in lights and call it a day, we've got a better idea.
Consider this:
Trim them into spheres to give your bushes a floating appearance. Then, dress them in net lights with red, green, and white colors. These mini lights come in incandescent bulbs or as LED lights: it's up to your personal preferences.
Perfect for the trendy chic house on the block!
