When it’s time to hang Christmas lights outside, many homeowners aren’t sure where to begin. After all, anyone can string lights, but you want your lights to look great. Having the best hardware for your project can be the difference between a simple DIY project and a time-consuming mess.
Keep reading for three easy methods to hang Christmas lights safely and with precision.
1. Gutter Hooks
Gutter hooks are one of the easiest ways to install strands of Christmas lights without making a mess. You don’t even need actual gutters. But if you have them, be sure to clean them before you get started.
These plastic, curled hooks clip onto the edges of your gutters or roof trim. Just slide the large curved ends onto the gutter edges or roof trim, and string your Christmas lights through the smaller curved ends. The hooks keep the lights securely in place without damaging your roof.
You can easily remove the Christmas lights and gutter hooks after the season’s end without leaving any residue or holes. The clips pop right off the gutters or trim.
Best of all, this setup won’t leave a mess on your home’s exterior. The hooks keep the lights elevated and contained.
Tips for Using Gutter Hooks
Space the gutter hooks about 12 inches apart for stability. Larger spaces may cause sagging.
Use clip-style hooks that wrap fully around the gutter lip for added security. Clips that just slip over the front may get dislodged by inclement weather.
Attach the hooks along the roof line or fascia (the trim board along the roof’s edge) for the same effect on sections without gutters.
2. Self-Adhesive Hooks
3M Command Hooks have an adhesive backing made for indoor and outdoor use. Look for hooks rated for exterior application and the appropriate weight class to make sure the hooks will hold your decorations securely and not fail over time.
Just stick the adhesive hooks onto the desired surface per the installation instructions. Then, hang your Christmas light strands from the hooks. When it’s time to take down the lights, follow the directions to peel off the hooks — no residue will remain on the surface.
Adhesive hooks make decorating fast, easy, and mess-free for you. You can place them on siding, brick, trim, or other exterior surfaces. No nails or screws that leave lasting holes are necessary. Just be aware they adhere best to smooth surfaces.
Tips for Command Hooks
For brick and masonry, use Command Utility Hooks designed for those surfaces.
Use lower-profile hooks on vinyl siding to prevent buckling the siding when removing.
Use hooks rated for heavy duty (over 16 pounds) to hang multiple strands from each.
3. Vinyl Siding Hangers
Many home improvement stores specifically sell hangers to attach Christmas lights to vinyl siding and soffits. These hangers attach directly to the siding or on the soffit surface. The hook or clip fits over the siding in a way that prevents any damage.
Once installed, just hang your Christmas light strands from the hanger. Make sure to space the hangers adequately for the weight of your decorations.
The benefit of these hangers is they integrate with the siding for a clean, mess-free installation. The hangers also sit flush to keep a low profile.
You may choose to keep the hangers in place year-round. This way, you can simply re-attach the same decorations each holiday season.
Tips for Vinyl Siding Hangers
For soffit use, choose hangers with an angled or rotating hook to hang lights vertically from the eaves.
Use an extension pole on a second-story siding to safely install the hangers from the ground rather than a ladder.
Leave at least 12 inches between the hangers to prevent overloading the siding.
A Brief History of Christmas Lights
The modern incandescent Christmas light strand owes its origins to Thomas Edison. Edison based his original 1880 light bulb design on earlier work by inventors Humphry Davy and Joseph Swan. Davy had created an early electric lamp, while Swan worked on various improvements to incandescent lighting.
Edison’s friend and associate, Edward H. Johnson, assembled the first string of electric Christmas tree lights in 1882. The early string featured red, white, and blue bulbs.
However, the public initially distrusted electric Christmas lights.
It took over 30 years for Christmas lights to gain widespread popularity. A teenager named Albert Sadacca proposed the idea to his family’s novelty lighting company in 1917. That helped spark interest in selling the lights commercially.
While pioneers like Edison, Davy, and Johnson invented the lights, Sadacca transformed them into a must-have Christmas decoration.
The Evolution of Christmas Lights
Christmas lights continued advancing in the decades after their debut:
- In the 1920s, smaller bulbs allowed more lights on each strand.
- By the 1930s, colored lamps emerged beyond red, white, and blue.
- Underwriters Laboratories (UL) safety listings in the 1950s helped increase popularity.
- New light sculptures and shapes beyond bulbs appeared in the 1960s.
- Mini lights under 3⁄4″ diameter were invented in the 1970s, allowing dense strands.
- LED Christmas lights entered the market in the 1990s with longer life and energy savings.
So, while the basic concept has been around for over 140 years, the technology keeps improving.
So, Are Mess-Free Christmas Lights Worth It?
If exterior Christmas lights are part of your annual holiday decorating tradition, investing in a mess-free hanging solution can make the process much smoother.
Options like gutter hooks, adhesive hooks, and vinyl hangers simplify installation considerably. Just as importantly, they allow for easy, damage-free removal when the season wraps up.
These hassle-free hanging methods help:
- Prevent damage or holes to exterior surfaces like your siding and trim.
- Keep your decorations neatly arranged and evenly spaced.
- Avoid the need for tools, nails, screws, or ladders.
- Enable quick and easy setup and takedown each holiday season.
Mess-free light hangers may require a slightly higher upfront cost than basic nails or hooks. However, the benefits often justify the expense over time. If you decorate with lights annually, look at the hangers as an investment. Once installed, you can reuse them for many holiday seasons to come.
FAQs About Hanging Christmas Lights
What's the easiest way to hang Christmas lights?
Self-adhesive hooks like Command Hooks offer the easiest installation for you. Just stick them to the desired surface and attach lights. They remove cleanly later with no damage.
How do I hang Christmas lights without nails?
Adhesive hooks, gutter/roof hooks, and vinyl siding hangers allow you to install lights without nails or screws. The hooks either stick on or clip onto surfaces to hold lights.
How do you hang Christmas lights on vinyl siding?
Specialized vinyl siding hangers integrate with the siding profile and clip or hook on without penetrating the surface. Some hang under the lip of the siding, while others are affixed to the face.
How do I hang Christmas lights on brick?
Use adhesive hooks specifically made for rough surfaces for brick, mortar, and other masonry. Look for a design with a flat back to maximize surface contact.
What weight can Command Hooks hold outdoors?
Outdoor Command Hooks hold up to 18 pounds when used correctly — heavier-duty options rate for over 50 pounds. Check the rating before purchasing.
How far apart should I space outdoor Christmas light hooks?
Space gutter hooks, siding hangers, and adhesive hooks about 12 inches apart for stability with larger light strands. For mini lights, 8 to 10 inches between the hangers is usually enough.