How to Hang Up Christmas Lights
Aug 31, 2026 / Alyssa Duranty
Making a thoughtful plan to hang Christmas lights saves time before you begin. Measure the roofline, porch, trees, railings, or windows you want to decorate, then gather the lights, clips, extension cords, and ladder. Test every strand before hanging it so you can replace bulbs or set aside lights that do not work.
Key Takeaways
- Make a plan before beginning.
- Choose LED holiday lights to reduce energy use.
- Test every strand before installation.
- Use universal light clips instead of Scotch or duct tape.
- Hang light sockets and female plugs facing downward to limit moisture buildup.
- Work with another person when using a ladder, especially above 10 feet.
- Coil, label, and pack away lights after the holidays to speed up next year’s decorating.
- Consider a storage unit for your seasonal decor.
Plan Your Display Before You Start
Before beginning, make a plan for your Christmas lights before you touch a single strand. Are you making a border around or a crosshatch across the whole roof? Are you only lighting trees? A simple layout keeps your holiday lights even and organized. Walk outside after dark, if possible, and identify the areas you want to highlight.
Popular outdoor display areas include:
- Rooflines and gutters
- Porch railings
- Windows and doorframes
- Trees and shrubs
- Fences and gates
- Walkways and patios
Sketch a quick plan or take a photo of your home and mark the areas you want to decorate. Group your supplies by location so every strand, clip, and extension cord stays easy to find during setup. Also ensure your extension cords are compatible with any lights you’re using.
Then measure each space before selecting the number and length of light strands and ensure you have enough lights for your plan.
Opt for LED Lights & Test Them Before Beginning
LED holiday lights are a good choice because they use less energy than incandescent lights and offer an efficient choice for outdoor decorating. Before you climb a ladder or attach a single clip, plug in every strand and inspect it for burned-out bulbs, damaged cords, or loose connections.
Create separate piles for:
- Working light strands
- Replacement bulbs and clips
- Extension cords
- Lights that need repair or replacement
- Indoor-only décor
Testing lights first prevents unnecessary trips up and down the ladder. It also helps you map out where each strand belongs before you start.
| Light Type | Best Use & Considerations |
| LED Lights | Use less energy and work well for rooflines, trees, railings, and windows |
| Outdoor-Rated Light Strands | Use outdoors when the product label identifies them for exterior use |
| Indoor Light Strands | Use inside only, such as on mantels, windows, or indoor trees |
| Universal Light Clips | Attach lights to gutters, shingles, or trim without using tape |
Use Clips Instead of Tape
Scotch tape and duct tape might seem like fast ways to hang lights, but universal clips offer a better approach for exterior displays. Choose clips designed for your roofline, gutters, shingles, railings, or siding. Attach the clips first, then place the light strand into each clip. This approach creates a cleaner line and helps you adjust spacing before the display goes live.
Using tape can trap rain or sprinkler moisture near electrical lights and will likely fail. Avoid staples, nails, or screws that pierce light cords. Keep cords straight, untangled, and routed away from areas where people walk.
Point Plugs & Sockets Downward
Hang light strands with the female plug facing down. Hang each light socket downward as well. This setup helps prevent water from collecting inside the connection points during rain or sprinkler use.
Before turning on the display, check each connection and confirm that cords stay clear of standing water, walkways, and moving doors.
Use a Two-Person Ladder Plan
Holiday light installation works best as a two-person task. One person climbs and attaches lights, while the other person steadies the ladder, hands up supplies, and watches the work area. The source guidance specifically recommends a second person when work takes place above 10 feet.
Set the ladder on level ground, keep it away from wet surfaces, and avoid stretching sideways to reach a distant clip. Move the ladder instead. Work in small sections so you maintain a steady rhythm from one end of the roofline or railing to the other.
Take Down & Store Holiday Lights
A well-organized takedown of holiday lights and decor makes next year’s decorating faster. Remove lights carefully, wipe away dirt or moisture, and allow every strand to dry fully before packing it away. (Wet items never belong in storage!)
Wrap light strands around a cord reel, a piece of cardboard, or a purpose-built light-storage spool. Label each set based on where it belongs, such as “Front Roofline”, “Porch Railing”, or “Back Patio”.
Holiday lights, bins, and outdoor décor often take up precious room in garages, closets, and sheds in the home. A self-storage unit gives you extra room to pack away seasonal décor and restore space at home keeping your seasonal decor organized and easy to access.
A 5′ x 5′ unit offers space similar to a large closet and works well for boxes of lights, décor, and smaller seasonal household items. For larger holiday setups, review additional sizes before reserving. Start with the Public Storage Size Guide to compare unit sizes to your needs.
More than 45% of Public Storage properties offer drive-up storage, which provides direct vehicle access to select ground-level units making frequent visits or loading and unloading heavy or bulky holiday decor items easier. Drive-Up Access also helps those with mobility issues as they allow renters a shorter distance to their unit. Find a Public Storage location near you to review local unit sizes and features; availability varies by location.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Hang Christmas Lights Outside?
You hang Christmas lights outside by making a plan, testing each strand, attaching outdoor-rated clips, and keeping plugs and sockets facing downward. Use a second person to assist with ladder work and keep cords away from walkways.
Why Should You Use Clips Instead of Tape for Christmas Lights?
You should use clips instead of tape for Christmas lights because tape can trap moisture near electrical lights, while universal clips attach strands along rooflines, gutters, and trim cleanly and securely.
How Do You Hang Christmas Lights on a Roofline?
You hang Christmas lights on a roofline by measuring the area, attaching clips first, then placing each tested light strand into the clips. Keep the ladder on level ground, work with a second person, and move the ladder rather than reaching too far from it.
How Should You Store Christmas Lights After the Holidays?
You should store Christmas lights after the holidays by removing them carefully, drying them fully, wrapping each strand separately, and packing them in labeled containers. Store light strands, clips, and extension cords by display area so next season’s setup starts faster.
Where Can You Store Holiday Lights and Décor?
You can store holiday lights and décor in labeled bins at home or in a self-storage unit when closets, garages, or sheds feel crowded.
What size storage unit should I get for my holiday decorations?
A good size storage unit for holiday decor storage is 5’ x 5’ up to 5’ x 10’. Take an inventory of what items you’ll store and then use the Public Storage Size Guide to select a unit size that fits your seasonal storage needs.
