by Leslie Ann Campbell

Created on: August 01, 2008   Last Updated: August 04, 2008

Whether you're putting Santa on the roof or simply decorating your tree, Christmas lights are likely to be included in the composition. Luckily, the variety of Christmas lights available allow everyone to decorate to his own taste year after year and have fun lighting their indoor and outdoor creations.

Everyone is familiar with the traditional string of Christmas lights. Those aren't just used for Christmas anymore as now they also light restaurants, back yards, and weddings.

Other Christmas lighting choices have obvious advantages. LED lights offer lighting for lower costs; it typically takes 10% of what it takes to power string lighting to power LED lighting. Landscaping looks tailored with net lighting while bubble lighting gives a tree a retro look. Rope lighting is quite practical: it is safe in snow, is easy to put up, and is easy to store. But who can resist a house with a thick strand of icicle lights?

Here are some things to consider when choosing Christmas lights:

LED Christmas Lights: White LED's aren't as bright as regular string lights. Buy a soft yellow or cream LED instead of white.

Rope Christmas Lights: Useful, but overuse will make your home look like a strip mall.

String Lights: Not all are for the outdoors, and many still have the problem of not working when one bulb goes out.

Bubble Christmas Lights: Tubes must be kept upright and may need tapping to begin bubbling after warming up. Must be stored upright.

Net Christmas Lights: Be prepared to net the back of the shrub for proper effect.

Icicle Christmas Lights: - can tangle horribly when stored unless laid out on plastic sheeting and then rolled.

Why not try them all?

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