Christmas Lights
Christmas lights bring a cozy glow to your holiday gatherings. Brighten your holiday season with our wide selection of lights, from clear to color-changing.
What Type of Christmas Lights Is Best?
Choose between incandescent and LED Christmas lights. These two light types differ mainly in their energy efficiency and longevity. Traditional incandescent bulbs produce light by heating a metal filament. They are more affordable than LEDs but consume more energy and burn out over time. Balsam Hill’s incandescent lights shine bright for more than 3,000 hours. These premium commercial-grade Christmas tree lights stay lit even if one bulb burns out or is removed.
Meanwhile, LED Christmas lights use light-emitting diodes that produce minimal heat. These are pricier than incandescent lights, but LEDs are brighter, use less energy, and do not burn out. This will help you save on electricity and replacement bulbs in the long run.
Determine the color of your Christmas lights based on the Christmas tree theme or ambience you want to create. Our clear lights showcase the warm glow of traditional candlelight. Their timeless look blends well with most decorating styles. If you want to add pops of color to your holiday décor, opt for our multicolored Christmas lights featuring jewel-toned bulbs.
Christmas lights look wonderful in outdoor spaces, too. For lighting up exterior areas like porches, rooflines, and trees, select lights marked as outdoor-safe. These are specially constructed to withstand exposure to the elements throughout the season.
How Do Professionals Light Christmas Trees?
Follow these tips for a beautifully lit Christmas display.
Make Sure Each Bulb is Shining Brightly
Check each incandescent light string for broken or burned-out bulbs and switch them out for fresh ones. Balsam Hill offers replacement bulbs to help keep your lighted displays glowing brightly for years to come.
Consider Animated Christmas Lights
Design your own animated light shows with our innovative Twinkly® lighting technology. These animated LED Christmas lights let you customize the colors or choose from various pre-set effects—all from a mobile app. Create your unique animation and sync music to entertain loved ones during holiday gatherings.
Twinkly light strings also work well as outdoor Christmas lights. They add a festive touch to your porch or patio. If you have Google Home or Amazon Alexa, connect your Twinkly lights to control your display via voice commands.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Do You Light a Christmas Tree?
Start stringing lights from the base of your Christmas tree, working your way up in a zigzag or spiral direction. Try weaving the light string above and below tree branches for a more natural look. Conceal light connectors and obvious wires by tucking these closer to the tree’s trunk. Plug in your tree and survey the light tree from different vantage points in the room, checking to make sure your tree is lit evenly from all angles.
How Many Lights Do You Need for a 7-Ft Tree?
The general rule of thumb is 100-150 lights per foot of your Christmas tree, depending on how bright or densely-lit you envision it. For a 7-ft tree, you will need at least 700 lights.
What is the History of Christmas Lights?
Lighting up trees to commemorate the holiday season began in Germany during the 17th century. Early celebrators used candles to symbolize hope and to illuminate the ornaments hanging from their evergreens.
Bring magic to your holiday home with the cheery glow of Christmas lights. Browse our selection of lights and other festive décor on Balsam Hill. For more practical decorating tips and holiday inspiration, visit our Resource Center.
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Christmas Tree Light Types: The Balsam Hill Guide