While the shops might start decorating for Christmas in September most of us will leave it till late November or December. However, sometimes people have an unfortunate surprise going through the decoration box when we’re faced with the prospect of untangling dated Christmas lights that have lost their charm and have started to look a little dull.

With the advances in technology there has never been a wider range of beautiful Christmas lights available at affordable prices. So this year why not start a little earlier to give you time to throw out the old lights and give your house some real Christmas sparkle?

You could start with something for the mantelpiece: candle bridges create a wonderful centerpiece for the holiday season. If you’re looking for a fun design you could opt for a bridge featuring popular Christmas characters such as snowmen and Father Christmas. If you want something a little more elegant you could try a more understated design – an arched wooden effect bridge for example.

People looking for a very elegant way of using lights in their home during the Christmas period could try putting LED lights in a clear glass bowl or vase. Whether you buy a bowl specifically for this purpose or just use a vase that you have lying around at home, it creates a simple yet striking effect with very little effort.

If you want some Christmas lights that have been specially designed to appeal to children you also have plenty of options. For example, there are strings of lights available that are surrounded by fairies, hearts, dinosaurs, cars and other decorative figures that might not necessarily be Christmas-themed but can still be brought out for a special occasion and are loved by little ones.

While Christmas lights are great for brightening up your house they can also be a great way or adding a bit of dazzle to your garden. If you want a classic yet ambitious way of lighting your garden you could have a reindeer silhouette. Such lighting will allow the whole neighbourhood to enjoy the festive spirit, but children particularly will love seeing your own light-up Rudolph in your front garden.

If you like the idea of illuminated figures in your front garden but want something more colourful, there are plenty of other options to consider. Father Christmas is always a popular option and the flashy red lights are certainly eye-catching. While some people might think that such a light installation is garish, other people will love the sense of fun created by these bright and colourful figures.

For a simple (and cheaper) way of bringing some light into your garden you could buy a chain of LED solar lights that can be safely draped along paths, windowsills and even plants. For a classy look stick to a single colour such as white or pale blue, while if you want something more kitsch you can choose LEDs that have all colours of the rainbow.
With the days of simple Christmas lights being over, why not try experimenting with lights and bring back a little bit of Christmas magic?

Written by Sam Luther, an experienced blogger and homemaker, passionate about celebrating the festive season

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