How to Decorate a Front Door With Christmas Lights

Spruce up your front door for the holidays by hanging Christmas lights.

Decorating your front door with Christmas lights will create a festive holiday greeting for you and your visitors. Using the proper lights and materials is essential to keeping your decorations safe from the weather or other hazards. A simple display will dress up your front door, while an intricate design can create a personalized greeting for your guests.

Things You'll Need

• Outdoor lights
• Staple gun (optional)
• Insulated staples (optional)
• Hooks (optional)
• Ladder
• Extension cord

Instructions

1. Arrange a string of lights on your front porch or lawn to get the design you want. The easiest design is to simply frame the door with the lights. Alternatively, you can make the lights zigzag or frame the door in the shape of a Christmas tree.

2. Test the lights to make sure all the lights on the string are in working order.

3. Install small hooks around the door in the design you've chosen to keep the lights in place if you want to use hooks rather than staples.

4. Start with the last light on the string and position it on the bottom of the door frame on the side farthest from the electrical outlet. String the lights through the hooks or use a staple gun with insulated staples to hold them in place.

5. Climb on a sturdy ladder, preferably with another person to hold it steady and feed you the lights, to reach the high parts of the door.

6. Connect the string of lights to an extension cord if necessary, and plug it in.

Tips & Warnings

• Only use lights made for outdoor use. They have extra insulation to protect from harsh weather.

• Do not use damaged extension cords, electrical outlets or strings of light, as they pose a potential fire hazard.

References

• Front Porch Ideas and More: Outdoor Christmas Light Decorating Ideas

Resources

• All Things Christmas: Christmas Decorations: 101 Easy Ideas