The Glow of the Season
Few sights capture the spirit of the holidays more instantly than the glowing charm of Christmas lights. From the nostalgic warmth of retro amber to the cutting-edge brilliance of modern LEDs, these lights don’t just decorate—they transform entire spaces into joyful scenes.
As you begin planning your holiday display, you’ll quickly realize the variety is dazzling. Each type of light offers its own unique glow, functionality, and mood. So where should you begin?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most popular types of Christmas lights, highlighting their distinct features and festive appeal—so you can illuminate your season with confidence and creativity.
The Warm, Old-School Glow
Incandescent Christmas lights are a classic for several reasons.
- Traditional: Their soft, amber light is nostalgic and cozy
- Inexpensive: They’re usually cheaper than LED lights
- Downsides: Use more energy and last a shorter time
Incandescent lights are great for basic tree trimming or accenting window panes with a classic light show.
Super Bright & Energy-Saving
LED lights are the go-to option for environmentally conscious revelers.
- Energy-efficient: LED lights can use 80% less energy
- Long-lasting: They’re more durable and rarely burn out
- Variety: Choose from multicolor, multicolor size, and multicolor effects
- Downsides: Many people don’t like the glow of LEDs (particularly blue)
LED lights are well suited for anything from outdoor trees to party-ready light shows. They give the brightest glow without straining your wallet or your outlets.
Retro Round Bulbs with Punch
Looking for big, bulbous retro lights to amp up your décor? C7 and C9 bulbs are oversized for serious lumens.
- Bulb Size: C7 bulbs are smaller, while C9s are larger and great for roofline
- Style: Retro classic bulb shape, like the glow of mid-century décor
- Replacements: Easily replace or switch these out
C7 and C9 bulbs are best for dramatic rooftop and fence lighting or yard area displays, especially with themed décor like aluminum trees or popcorn garlands.
A Glow That Is Flexible & Compact
Mini string lights are one of the most adaptable lights on the market.
- Size and Sparkle: They’re made of small bulbs for more delicate lighting
- Versatile: Can be used on wreaths, garlands, Christmas trees, and more
- Colorful: Opt for clear, colored, or twinkling mini lights
Mini lights are easy to layer or drape around existing larger displays for depth.
Organized & Elegant
For easy draping on bushes or hanging on roof edges, try net or icicle lights.
- Easy Use: Net lights drape on bushes; icicle lights simply hang from roof edges
- Snowy Magic: Icicle lights create the effect of frozen icicles
- Uniform Glow: Uniform shape and spacing make for cleaner displays
Net and icicle lights are an easy way to step up your outdoor décor while using less.
Edgy & Show-Stopping
Rope lights and strip lights are flexible lights that work great for path lighting or outdoor edging.
- Bendy Lights: Rope lights bend and wrap around signs, paths, and frames
- Cool Effect: Strip lights and rope lights look great in tech or modern displays
- Outdoor-Ready: Find weatherproof versions for deck and lawn lighting
Rope and strip lights are a great addition to interactive or animated holiday décor and features.
Personalizing Your Glow
Pixel LED Christmas lights shine bright on any holiday occasion, dazzling with their vivid colors and seamless animations. Pixel Christmas lights offer a level of personalization that regular LED strands can’t, as each bulb can be controlled independently and set to any color in the spectrum.
Characteristics of Pixel Lights
- Addressable: Each light can be controlled separately
- Technologically advanced: Can be controlled with pixel controllers to synchronize animations, effects, music, etc.
- Customization: Allows for the creation of complex patterns and interactive light shows
Pixel Design Possibilities:
Pixel lights open the door to many customization opportunities. Fancy a spiral candy cane light design? Lettering that spells out your holiday message? Pixel lights allow you to create exactly that with individual programming for every bulb, resulting in captivating shows for both rooftop and yard installments.
Equipment Needed
- Pixel controller
- Compatible software to design your lighting display
- Weatherproof power supplies and extension cords
Mix & Match Your Christmas Lights
Combining various light types can add new dimensions to your displays. Experiment with different combinations, like draping windows in warm incandescent lights, wrapping bushes in net lights, and lining your walkways with LED rope lights. Use pixels to create, custom designs and color patterns, text or images and custom effects. Balance the mix of light colors and textures to create a warm, unified, or layered look.
The best types of Christmas lights for you will depend on where you’ll be using them, how much energy you want to conserve, and how subtle or showy you want your display to be. Choose the lights that fit your vision best, and your home will be filled with holiday cheer.