Tag: Holiday Lights

Surprising Ways You Can Use Rope Lighting Year Round

Posted on by actwd

What are some ways to use rope lighting throughout the year? With creative blogs a plenty, the ideas are seemingly endless. They can be used in very conventional ways, but they are also finding themselves outside the box, so to speak. One such way is as a seedling warmer. These lights emit enough warmth to help a seedling grow roots so that it will be ready for planting. Even though this lighting typically is used as ambient illumination or to highlight an area, they are also taking center stage when wrapped as a sphere and hung from the ceiling, patio, or large tree branches.

What are other ways in which rope lighting is finding its usefulness?

  • Highlighting walkways and stairs
  • Wrapping the perimeter of a patio or grass area
  • Illuminating flower boxes or flower beds
  • Wrapped around the trunk and branches of a tree
  • Used as illumination on an awning, arbor or gazebo
  • Create ambient lighting for a spa and pool area

During the holidays, they are often seen wrapping a tree, framing the house and its windows, or used to highlight a large cutout. Their outdoor usage can continue in illuminating a banister and handrail of the porch or entry, as well as adding light to potted plants.

Creative interior uses are acting as a backlight for artwork and headboards, as well as being art itself. This illumination can be used to write words or names, and then mounted on the wall either by using wire or wood, whichever would give the desired artistic effect.

Creative Uses For Christmas Lighting All Year Round

Posted on by actwd

Multi Colored Globe Led Battery Operated Christmas LightingNothing brings back childhood memories like Christmas lighting up and down the rows of houses. These iconic holiday decorations have been popular for over 100 years and have seen a great deal of change in the technology and variety since their inception. People have become increasingly creative with the ways they decorate with these fixtures, giving near limitless options to the would-be decorator in all of us.

It doesn’t take an experienced crafter to be able to use the strands creatively. On the contrary, many of the proposed uses for festive bulbs during and after the holidays is rather simple and just takes a bit of creativity. For outdoor events, add a little flair to a typical strand of festive bulbs by poking each of them through the bottom end of a Dixie cup. 140 Spectacular Twinkling and Chasing Light Set with Green Wires Christmas LightingDifferent colored cups and varying thicknesses can create all types of interesting looks, sprucing up any outdoor get together.

Nearly anything can be accentuated with the addition of some clever Christmas lighting. An inexpensive wire basket, found in nearly any garden and home center, can have its wires intertwined with strands of the festive bulbs, bringing any humdrum item to life by emphasizing its shape and illuminating the area around it. Another simple trick is to pack a single strand into a mason jar, creating a sort of firefly in a bottle illusion. Battery operated lights can be used for this craft and enable kids to walk around the yard with their jar of “fireflies.”

How Have Holiday Lights Improved Through The Years?

Posted on by actwd

100 Christmas Light Bulbs with Multi Bulbs and White Wire CordsThe glow of holiday lights has always been magical, but thankfully they are now much safer than they once were. Back in the 1700s people lit their Christmas trees with candles. They would place them on the branches using a clothespin or melted wax. They could only use them for short periods of time and under a very watchful eye. As this tradition grew in popularity, so did the house fires. It wasn’t until 1880 when Thomas Edison used the first strand of bulbs to illuminate his compound’s exterior during the Christmas season. The passengers at the local train station saw the glow and were instantly awestruck. They wanted to know how he did it and how they could use the same illumination on their own homes.

10 Candle Tree Holiday LightsFast forward to the early 1900’s and a band of brothers sought out a way to manufacture and produce safe holiday lights. It wasn’t long until these strands became a household item each Christmas season. Long gone are the days of increased fire danger due to dried out trees and hot-to-the-touch bulbs. Now, bulbs are much cooler, and some emit no heat at all. This has lessened the risk of house fires during the season rather dramatically.

Christmas bulbs have also changed in their appearance over the decades. They now come in icicles shapes, swags, and nets to name a few. Now there are dozens of novelty types as well. Snowmen are doing the hula, Santa is hanging ten, flamingos, cacti, and even sports themes can adorn any tree, patio or a man cave.

Why Are Battery Operated Lights Beneficial For Holiday Decorating?

Posted on by actwd

50 LED Battery Operated Lights SetIt seems that battery operated lights have become a staple of many homes, and not just during the holidays. However, the holidays is where this cordless illumination really shines, pardon the pun. The battery-powered strands are used in everything from Christmas ornaments, wreaths, mason jars and garland, and everything else holiday-related. Popular websites are listing all kinds of ways in which to employ this lighting, and the trend doesn’t seem to be stopping. That is because of the great output that these strands emit, thanks to technological upgrades and the use of LED bulbs.

So what are some ways that people are incorporating them into their holiday décor? One way is using them with mason jars, another item being used in numerous ways. They can be used as votive holders or pillar candles, all flameless, of course. This makes them usable not just indoors, but outdoors as well. Using battery operated lights means there is no longer a requirement for exterior outlets or only using illuminated décor near an interior outlet. This has allowed homeowners and decorators the ability to expand decorating to new heights. It also means that using illumination no longer carries a risk. Without an open flame or cramming a strand over or under a door or closed window, fire danger is dramatically cut. This is a win-win for everyone. For example, how many times have people wanted a lighted wreath on their front door only to be forced to run the cord over the door, and with the continual opening and closing of the door creating wear and tear on the power cord. Eventually, this cord becomes frayed and can short out, resulting in a fire. No longer is this the case with battery operated lights. Now a wreath can be hung from the front door without fear and bring joy to all who enter the home.

How To Use Christmas Lights For Adding Charm To Holiday Decor

Posted on by actwd

140 Spectacular Twinkling and Chasing Christmas Lights Set with Green Wires With Speed ControlChristmas lights continue to reinvent themselves. Whether it is an artist using them in their artwork, or crafters using them to illuminate their creations, the list in where to use them continues to grow. A quick search on the web will result in a multitude of ideas flooding the screen.

What are some ways to add charm to holiday décor using Christmas lights? The list here continues to grow as well. Some quick ideas for the homes interior are placing strands inside of mason jars or globes of different sizes. Battery operated lights work well here too. Then grouping them on the mantle with some garland and other décor adds a beautiful and safe alternative to candles. These could also be part of a centerpiece. Using a large vase or bowl filled with shiny ornaments and lights is another fabulous use.

When using the light strands outside, try placing them inside large lanterns with large trimmings from the tree and put them to the side of the front door. Or, separate the lanterns and place them on the steps leading up to the door. Rather than wrapping tree branches, hang them among the trees in the same way that people would string lights over a backyard patio.

Different ways to display holiday greeting cards is by taking a single strand of lights and make a zigzag formation on the wall or inside an oversized picture frame. Then attach the cards using decorative pins. There are also numerous ideas in which to use the strands when decorating bedrooms, including draping them with the window treatments, or making the outline of a Christmas tree on a child’s bedroom wall.

Easy Ways To Use Battery Operated Christmas Lights All Year

Posted on by actwd

Easy Ways To Use Battery Operated Christmas Lights All YearBattery operated Christmas lights aren’t just for the holidays anymore. They are popping up everywhere in the home décor section of almost any store. They range in a variety of colors, both solid and multi-colored on one strand. They are typically sold in a single strand and operate with C batteries to get the longest life. All of the battery housing units have on/off switches, and some come with basic timers.

Most people are familiar with how battery operated Christmas lights are used during the holiday season, but what happens once the new year comes? These lights can take on a whole new life in various ways. Many do-it-yourself craft websites have creative ideas on how to use them. Some examples are taking a Mason jar and coating the inside with clear-drying glue. As soon as the glue is applied, take some glitter and shake the jar to get good coverage. Let the glue dry and shake out any remaining glitter. Then take a strand and insert it into the jar, turn it on and voila, there are fairies in the jar. This helps spur a child’s imagination. This can also be used as a nightlight to help keep the child sleeping through the night.

Another use for these strands is in artwork. Take a canvas piece of twinkle, twinkle little star and make small apertures in the canvas. Then place these bulbs through the holes and the piece comes to life in a whole new way. And yet another home décor use is in various sized opaque vases or empty wine bottles. Place a strand or two of white or colored lights in these receptacles and they become a centerpiece on a table with a few added embellishments.

The uses for battery operated Christmas lights reach far beyond the holiday season. Find them online and let the fun begin!

Finding Christmas Lights For Sale To Decorate A Home

Posted on by actwd

Finding Christmas Lights For Sale To Decorate A HomeFinding Christmas lights for sale brings out the child in those who enjoy this merry holiday season. These bright illuminations have unquestionably come a long way. In 1880, Thomas Edison gave us our first display of Christmas lights. He strung strands across his laboratory complex to help bring yuletide cheer to those that passed by. Over a hundred years later, they have become a staple in holiday décor.

Illumination has become such a staple in Christmas decorating that it helps bring in over $6 billion annually, and more homeowners are creating holiday light shows on their houses and in their yards. These illumination productions typically require more than 100,000 bulbs, with some reaching over one million. And the people that put on these shows do it year after year.

Thanks to online retailers, Christmas lights are for sale year round. And they come in all shapes, sizes and a multitude of colors. There are novelty strands of pink flamingos, cocktail glasses, snowmen, chili peppers, and footballs for adding merriment. Whether choosing novelty lights or traditional strands, most of them can be strung end to end for a seamless look.

Icicles and snowflakes are often strung across a home’s eaves or in trees. LED technology has created such unique effects that the icicles appear to be dripping water as they hang down from the roof. Strung snowflakes in the trees seem to be falling softly through the branches. These effects help in creating the magical look many people enjoy displaying during the holiday season.

Ways To Use Icicle Lights For The Holiday Season

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Ways To Use Icicle Lights For The Holiday SeasonIcicle lights are finding rejuvenation outside of the holiday season. They are still a common choice for homeowners that want to add that little something extra to their homes exterior, but are gaining new life in other uses as well.

Putting the strands on the homes exterior is done with efficiency using shingle-gutter clips. These accessories help maintain the integrity of the strands by homeowners no longer using staples or nails to mount the lights. They also give the strands a neater appearance. The two main types of icicle lights that are on the market are LEDs and mini bulbs. LEDs are commonly sold in strands of ten and can connect multiple strands together. Mini bulb sets are on one central strand with various lengths that extend from the main. Multiple strands can also be joined to cover the full length of the home’s exterior. Many homeowners also use these in their trees, along fence lines, or on their porch railings.

Some uses that are popping up in the home’s interior are these strands being strung behind a headboard typically made from reclaimed pallets. This makes for a very romantic yet rustic feel, and the bulbs are muted in brightness. Another decorative favorite is an elegant bowl filled with various balls of material or embellishments. Adding a strand of bulbs to it keeps the look fresh and adds something different. In a child’s room, these strands can mimic falling rain or twinkling stars at night.

With the vast bank of DIY projects online using these unique strands of illumination, they can be used throughout the year.