The Ultimate Christmas Lights Guide

Christmas lights are the easiest way to inject
a festive feel, excitement and a lil’ touch of glamour into your family home
every yuletide season! A simple flick of the switch is all it takes to spark
the spirit of Christmas and get the kids all excited.

It’s probably the first thing to pay attention
to and budget for if you’re considering investing in decorations for a new home
or revamping an existing one.

Here’s
what you need to know about buying Christmas Lights in Ireland below:

  • Irish Origins of Christmas Lights
  • Different Types of Decorative
  • Christmas Lights
  • Christmas Lights Colour Guide
  • Installation Tips and Tricks
  • Christmas Tree Lights Calculator
  • Christmas Lights Safety Guide
  • Christmas Lights Energy Efficiency
  • Checklist 

Irish Origins of Christmas Lights

The origins of Christmas lights in our part of
the world go back to pagan times and the ‘Yule’tide festivities marking a
mythological ‘birth of the sun’ and growing light following the Winter
solstice.

The burning of the Yule log and subsequent
presence of candles were our way of welcoming back light into the world, thus
beginning our historic love of Christmas lights! 

 

Different Types of Decorative Christmas Lights

Understanding the different Christmas Light
products and how they can be used will help you get the most out of your
Christmas decorations.

You can achieve a different mood or aesthetic
style by applying an alternative lighting solution to your home. How will you
mix and match the array of Festive lighting accessories on offer?

1.   Fairy Lights

These classic
Christmas lights are the most essential item you should invest in if starting.
Fairy lights are tiny bulbs strung on a wire and come in various colours or
just one tone of white.

PERFECT FOR: wrapping around
foliage like plants or a Christmas tree or draping over your structures like a
mantelpiece or bannisters. 

2.   LED Lights

These are similar to fairy lights but
use less energy and last longer with better durability for outdoor use. They
come in all colours and are great for indoor and outdoor use. This is also a
more sustainable and safer choice of lights when compared to incandescent
bulbs.

PERFECT FOR: Outdoor use in
longer lengths with better built-in weatherproofing. Use these outdoor lights
when decorating your garden trees and topiary or external structures like
pergolas and porticos.

3.   Icicle Lights

Icicle lights mimic
the shape of icicles in glass,  perspex
or plastic.

PERFECT FOR:
hanging outdoors from the roof, portico or gutter to add a wintery wonderland
feel to your home’s facade.

4.   Net Lights

Net Lights are so-called because the bulbs
are arranged and strung together in a grid or lattice-like arrangement.

PERFECT FOR: Laying over bushes or walls outdoors or indoors. You can quickly cover a large area with a blanket-like lighting installation. To create a starry backdrop, you could also suspend net lights over large windows or glass doors indoors.

5.    Rope Lights

Rope lights are so-called because the Light accessory is encased in a clear tube, giving the illusion of a continuous line of light.

PERFECT FOR: Outlining the perimeters of portals such as windows, doorways or Garage doors. You can also use them on the ground to mark out pathways, making this an excellent wayfinding device for darker areas.

6.    Projector Lights

These lighting devices will project patterns or festive images onto the side of any walled structure, like the font or sides of your house.

PERFECT FOR:  Creating a dramatic impact with minimal effort and generating a lot of decorative effects over a large area. For example, the illusion of cascading snowflakes. If you source interchangeable filters, different patterns can be chosen for different seasons, not just Christmas.

7.    Battery-Operated Lights:

Battery-operated flights are an ideal solution for areas without easy access to a plug socket.

PERFECT FOR: Indoor locations such as wreaths, table centrepieces, mantel decorations or the hallway.

8.    Novelty Lights

Novelty lights such as character-themed ornaments, tableaus, and other sculptural figurines are great fun. You could find shapes such as snowflakes, Santa and his sleigh, snowmen, candy canes or reindeer!

PERFECT FOR: Adding a playful touch to your Christmas decor or thematic accents in different parts of your home, such as the hallway or landing. 

Christmas Lights Colour Guide

The Christmas lights colour scheme should tie
in with your general home decor aesthetic and work in harmony with the general
Christmas decorating trend you will try this year. 

Light Colour

Decorating Trend Description

Trend Match

Warm White

This classy and timeless
option emulates the soft glow of candlelight. Ideal for both indoor and
outdoor settings, it pairs well with red and green for a traditional look.

Traditional, Classic
Irish Christmas

Cool White

Crisp and refreshing is
best for achieving a contemporary or “icy” look. When used
outdoors, it mimics the chill of winter.

Modern, Minimalist Decor

Multicoloured

This festive and fun
option will help you create a joyful ambience in communal spaces., a party
funfair experience and a playful atmosphere in any space.

Family-Friendly,
Children’s Wonderland

Blue

Tranquil and serene. If
used in a pale hue, it reflects the winter sky at dusk. Blue lights pair well
with silver and white decorations for a “frosted” icy look,
primarily when used outdoors on trees and foliage.

Winter Wonderland,
Nautical Themes or Techi sci-fi look

Red

Warm hues can be
inviting, but too much red appears menacing and should be used during
Halloween. Red can be used to accent doorways or windows. Keep it Christmassy
by combining with green lights for a classic Christmas scheme.

Rustic Charm, Traditional
Celtic Christmas

Green

Natural and calming,
reminiscent of evergreen foliage. Green lights can be blended into weather
and garlands or embedded outdoors into trees to enhance the natural beauty of
greenery.

Nature-Inspired,
Eco-Friendly Decor

Yellow or Gold

Luxurious and warm,  golden hues add opulence to any display.

Glamorous Festivities,
Luxe Decor

Purple

Purple can be a  less traditional choice but could be used
indoors to create a unique and thoughtful ambience. It is a religious colour
often associated with Advent. It could work as a backdrop to a Nativity
scheme or part of a broader, more campy Christmas aesthetic.

Spiritual, Reflective
Space,

Pink

Soft and whimsical, pink
will bring a modern twist to traditional decor if done in brave, fashionable
brights or toned down into a pastel to accent a soft, feminine winter
wonderland aesthetic.

Trendy, Youthful Settings

Amber

Warm colours will always
bring a more cosy and nostalgic feel to any setting, so this is a favourite
with indoor decor. You can create a relaxed, intimate atmosphere with amber
tones as ambient lighting. You could also evoke a more vintage retro 70s feel
of an even more nostalgic rustic Christmas.

Vintage Irish Christmas,
Rustic Settings

 

Christmas Lights Installation Tips and Tricks

Safe Setup: Installing Your Christmas Lights
Without a Hitch

Christmas Tree Lights Calculator

Match the right length of your fairy lights to
the height of your Christmas tree in advance using our handy guide:

Height of Christmas Tree (Feet)

Bulb Count (Approx.)

Length of Lights Needed (Metres/cm)

3 ft (91 cm)

100

3-4 m / 300-400 cm

4 ft (122 cm)

200

4-6 m / 400-600 cm

5 ft (152 cm)

300

6-8 m / 600-800 cm

6 ft (183 cm)

400

8-10 m / 800-1000 cm

7 ft (213 cm)

500

10-12 m / 1000-1200 cm

8 ft (244 cm)

600

12-14 m / 1200-1400 cm

9 ft (274 cm)

800

14-16 m / 1400-1600 cm

10 ft (305 cm)

1000

16-18 m / 1600-1800 cm

12 ft (366 cm)

1200

18-20 m / 1800-2000 cm

 

Christmas Tree Lighting Tips

Here are a few installation tips

●      Our bulb count is an approximate
number. It can vary depending on your tastes. You may want to increase the
length and bulb count should you desire an opulent look or have a tree with
more girth and radius requiring a longer string of lights for each level.

●      The length in meters/cm is a
recommendation based on the standard spacing of bulbs at approximately 10 cm
apart.

●      Take a quick look at our blog on
Christmas tree decorating for more inspiration: “Dress up Your Christmas Tree like a Pro! Grab These
Festive Decorating Tips.

Christmas Lights Safety Guide

There are many common hazards when handling
electrical equipment: electrical, fire and tripping hazards might ruin your
Christmas, especially if you have pets and children running around.

Look at our handy guide and watch for some of
the safety add-ons the next time you’re in a Homevalue Store. It is also wise
to have a quick scan of these safety tips when you take out those Christmas
lights from the attic every winter.

Christmas Lights
Hazard

Safety Remedy

Electrical
Hazards Prevention

●   When shopping, make sure you use
rated devices: Ensure all lights are CE marked, Which means they meet
European Union safety standards.

●    If you have unpacked lights you
have used before, check for frayed wires, broken sockets, and loose
connections.

●    Avoid 0verloading sockets if
multiple light accessories work simultaneously: You will need a good-quality
power strip with a surge protector. This is preferable to connecting multiple
extension leads.

Fire
Hazard Prevention

●    Keep your lighting accessories
away from any flammables: For example, make sure you position lights away
from curtains, flammable soft furnishings, and other decorations that can
easily catch fire from overheated light fixtures.

●   Make sure you always turn off
Christmas lights before bedtime or when the house is unoccupied. Never leave
them unattended.

●   When possible, especially
outdoors, use LED Lights because they generate less heat than incandescent
bulbs, thus reducing overheating and catching fire near flammable material.

Tripping
Hazard Prevention

●   Secure any cables emanating from
your light accessories- you can use cable clips or black tape to secure
bundles of wires or loose stray wires along walls or floors..

●    Place your lights and extension
wires carefully. Keep them away from significant foot traffic areas such as
walkways or under rugs  – keep them
secured alongside walls where possible. This also prevents your lighting
accessories from wearing out quickly.

Add-on Safety
Devices

●   Timer Switches: Use a timer to prevent your
Christmas lights from being accidentally left on.

●   Circuit Breakers: Install a residual-current
device (RCD) on your fuse box. This will help you protect against electric
shock and reduce the risk of electrical fires.

●   Surge Protectors: This device protects your
home from voltage spikes that could cause fire and damage to plugged-in
electronics.

●   RCD Plugs: You can plug your lights into an
RCD plug before actually plugging into the wall socket

●   Wire Covers: Use these to ensure durability
and weatherproofing and to prevent pets from chewing on wires.

●   Cable Organizers: Loads of DIY and
over-the-counter products can help you keep wires tidy, bundled up and out of
the way.

 

 Outdoor vs. Indoor Lights

Don’t forget to check your lights are suitable
for where you want to use them, especially if you’re placing them outdoors!

When it comes to
the Irish Climate, weatherproofing your Christmas lights is essential to
prevent any electrical hazards.

Check the rating
of your lighting accessories to ensure they are suited to outdoor use and can
withstand the increasingly stormy Irish weather during the winter.

Need some outdoor
lighting inspiration?

Check out our blog: Outdoor Lighting Ideas To Add Glam, Glow & Gorgeous
Seasonal Sparkle to your Home this Winter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Lights Sustainability

& Energy Efficiency Checklist.

Bringing Tech to your festive decor is a smart
route to a more sustainable Christmas lighting set-up. It is much easier
nowadays, especially with more Smart Devices and  Smart Lights on the market.

Use this Checklist to bring a more
energy-efficient and sustainable approach to your Christmas lighting scheme.

●      Are you using LED Lights? Why? LED bulbs use
up to 75 – 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, which expend
much energy in the form of heat and light. This also makes LED lights more
durable, safer and longer lasting.

●      Trying Solar-Powered Lights: There are more
variations of solar-powered outdoor lighting options.  Solar-powered outdoor lights will charge
during the day and illuminate at night, automatically saving you on electricity
costs.

●      Invest in Timers and Smart Plugs: Make sure
your Christmas lights are only lit in the evening. These devices keep you safe
by always remembering to switch off your lights at night. Timers can easily be
controlled remotely with an app when you are not home. 

●      Choose the Right Lighting Times: Given
Daylight savings time and the changing sunrise and sunset times every day,
double-check your timers for the correct times.

●      Consider Rechargeable Battery-Operated Lights:
Small ornamental or incidental lights may require batteries. Invest in
rechargeable batteries so you will not contribute to more WEEE waste.

●      Don’t Forget To Recycle Old Lights: Should
your old lights start to degrade or need replacing – try repairing them. If you
must replace them, ensure you donate them to a recycling programme that accepts
old Christmas lights.

●      Enhance With Reflective Sparkly Accessories:
You can add more bling without consuming more electricity. Use reflective
ornaments, glassy materials and tinsel to enhance the Sparkle!

●      Invest in Quality, not Quantity: Invest in
high-quality lights with good EU-approved ratings lasting many seasons.

●      Innovative Light Displays: Light a more extensive area more efficiently using single projectors
or LED spotlights. These devices use less energy than string lights.

 

Don’t Forget to Enjoy Lighting Up

for Christmas!

Regardless of how many Christmas lights you’ll
be unpacking this season, enjoy the wonderful family moments waiting to happen
as you rally the troops, ‘argue’ about the best locations and…of course,

Flip that final switch to enjoy the fruits of
your labour.

Don’t forget to capture some dazzling shots of
your Christmas lights in action. Share them with us on Facebook and Instagram!

Where to Get It

Visit your friendly HomeValue store for
lighting supplies and more  – Check HERE
for a list of store locations. Here’s a quick list of the Lights we have ready
in store this Christmas season.

 

 

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