Christmas Lights FAQs
Answers to common questions about Christmas lights
General
Q:Can outdoor Christmas lights be used indoors?
A:Simply put, yes. Outdoor Christmas lights can be used indoors, but it’s vitally important that you don’t use indoor lights outside.
Outdoor Christmas lights are built to withstand wet and cold conditions. Indoor lights are not, so can – and will – easily get damaged during the colder, wetter winter months. Be sure to check the label on your lights to ensure you’re making the most out of your decorations while still staying safe.Q:How to hang outdoor Christmas lights?
A:Nothing is more beautiful than a well-dressed house at Christmas. But, before you start scaling brick walls or clambering up a tree, take the time to follow these three simple steps –
1. Measure – A tape measure is your best friend when it comes to hanging outdoor lights. Measure the surface area and map where your lights will go.
2. Check – Check that your lights are suitable for outdoor use during the winter months. Any lights with an IP44 rating are weatherproof and should do the trick.
3. Test – Imagine spending hours hanging your lights just to flick the switch and be met with nothing but darkness. Test your bulbs before you hang them to save you time and energy.Q:Are led Christmas lights dimmable?
A:Although Christmas lights come with many settings, not all LEDs are dimmable. This all depends on the LED driver that the light uses, which is why it’s important to check the product description in full before purchasing.
If you’re looking for a subtle way to switch up the ambiance in your home, simply plug your dimmable LED into a dimmer device to change the lighting to match your mood.
Q:What to hang outdoor Christmas lights with?
A:Hooks and clips are the best way to secure your outdoor Christmas string lights between a series of fixed points. Ensure that the surface that you’re attaching your lights to is strong enough to withstand the weight. The last thing you want to do is have to chase your lights down the road on a blustery night.
Q:When to take outdoor Christmas lights down?
A:On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me… a step ladder and storage bag.
Tradition states that you should take your Christmas decorations down on 6th January, also known as Epiphany – the official end of the festive season. But who follows tradition anyway? We say that if your lights are IP65 rated and you want to be part of the gleam team, let your lights shine bright all year round!Q:What outdoor Christmas lights are the best?
A:Now, we’d hate to toot our own horn, but we have to say that our ConnectGo, ConnectPro and FestoonPro range of outdoor Christmas lights are a beauty to behold.
As the range is connectable, the lights can easily connect together to create a daisy chain of lights as long as you’d like from one single power source.It’s easy to find the perfect range to match your needs. Our ConnectGo range comes with an IP44 rating, meaning it’s the perfect lighting companion for a warming summer glow. Whereas the ConnectPro range (which has been awarded a Which? Best Buy recommendation, by the way) is IP65 rated, meaning it’s perfect for outdoor use all year long.Q:Can outdoor Christmas lights stay on all night?
A:If you’re looking to light up the night sky with a stunning Christmas display, LED Christmas lights are the way to go. You may not be very popular with your neighbours after a night or two, but LEDs are certainly much safer to keep on for prolonged periods of time than traditional lights. Opting for lights with a timer function means your lights will automatically turn on or off without your supervision, giving you the freedom to be out and celebrating the holidays without any concerns.
Q:Do outdoor Christmas lights use a lot of electricity?
A:There’s an age-old rumour that powering outdoor Christmas lights will run your leccy bill right up. But you’d actually be surprised at how little it costs to run outdoor Christmas lights.
For example, LED icicle lights can make a big impact with very little costs. 10m of these magical lights can equate to less than 1p to run for 6 hours, based on the current UK energy prices (October 2023). To put that into context, it can cost about 16p to boil your kettle 4 times.
To find out more about how much electricity your Christmas lights may consume, head over to our Knowledge Centre and give our clever energy calculator a try and see for yourself!
Q:Can Christmas lights be recycled?
A:Many people don’t know that you can actually recycle your old Christmas tree lights, as they’re technically classed as small electrical items. This can typically be done at your local recycling facility, though some local authorities will even collect small electrical items as part of their recycling collection.
Q:Are Christmas lights a fire hazard?
A:According to our friends over at Which? some indoor Christmas tree lights sold by third party disreputable sellers could actually pose a fire hazard if left on over night or for prolonged periods of time.
Although these risks are extremely low, you should still take precaution and turn your lights off when unattended. Some lights come with clever timer functions, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to sleep easy.
Q:Will Christmas lights run on 12v?
A:12v batteries are commonly used to power automobile systems, such as motor homes or boats, but they can be adapted and used to supply additional energy to power LED lights. Don’t get us wrong, you’d look pretty cool wiring your LEDs to your 12v, but it could be potentially dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.
If you’re looking for battery powered LEDs, we’d recommend keeping it simple and opting for a reliable AA/AAA battery pack to keep things quick and easy.