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Give your space a festive glow up. Fog Machine Fluid
It's always exciting when the Christmas lights get switched on in town and it should be no different when you're at home. Twinkling lights form the backbone of any good festive display, creating a cosy, homely ambience for cold and dark winter nights.
But where to start? There are two main types of Christmas lights to deck out your house and garden:
Mains-powered lights These lights tend to be stronger, brighter and usually longer in length, as they’re not limited by battery power. Always check the length of the lead cable, otherwise you may be restricted to where you can position your lights.
Battery-powered lights These lights provide twinkly surroundings without increasing your monthly energy bill, and you won’t have unsightly wires running across your floors or patio (leading to mains plugs). With no need for a power source, there’s no limit to where you can put them. However, battery lights won’t be as bright as those powered by the mains and you will need to replace or charge the batteries occasionally.
Whatever space you're planning to fill with festive cheer, we've rounded up some of our favourite indoor and outdoor Christmas lights — including those for the tree, windows, mantelpieces and your front lawn.
These electric candles are ideal for a table centrepiece or fireplace if you've got little ones or furry friends around. Style them with a Christmas garland for a proper traditional look, or leave them bare if you prefer a pared back aesthetic. A six-hour timer function also means they’ll already be lit when you come home from a hard day of work/Christmas shopping.
Suspended at different heights, these glimmering stars will look stunning hanging from a small window or mirror. Each star has 10 LED lights, and can be attached securely via suction cups to ensure they won't fall down.
Nestle these pretty stars among your plant pots or frame an unlit pathway to liven up your outside space at night. Handily, you can set a timer on these, so your lights will come to life automatically each evening.
If you're looking for a statement piece, this show-stopping Christmas display is it. A sweet reindeer family in your garden (or inside, if you have the space) will really ramp up the festive spirit.
These twinkly curtain lights will instantly add a touch of magic to windows and doorframes; they literally look like falling stars! With four light modes, you can set them to twinkle, waves, flash and slow fade, adding a bit of variety to your Christmas display.
These fluffy pom poms will create a snow-like effect on your mantelpiece or table display. Plus, we think they’re versatile enough to be used all year round.
These multi-coloured festoon lamps will look great hung from your fireplace or around a door frame. For just £25, it's also a great price for such a lengthy set of lights.
Rather than the traditional reindeer display, you could always opt for this adorable penguin instead. Pop it in your front garden and watch as your neighbours "ooh" and "aah" over it all winter long. It has a six hour timer for convenience, and it's suitable for indoors and outdoor use — although it's best displayed in a sheltered area to avoid weather damage.
Big, bright and beautiful, Cox & Cox's garland lights could rival the Oxford Street lights (maybe). With more than 2000 lights, they're an easy way to make an entire area twinkle without much effort — just hang them up and enjoy. They have an eight hour time function and eight light patterns to choose from.
We can always rely on The White Company for minimal yet chic homeware — and this twinkling star proves our point. It'll add a subtle glow to any shelf, mantlepiece or windowsill.
Here's something a bit different from your traditional fairy lights: these dazzlers look like multi-coloured fireworks. They'd look magical hanging from an indoor ceiling, or suspended from a tree branch.
Forget fire hazards with these battery-operated pillar candles. They would look lovely as a centrepiece on your Christmas table as evening draws in but still work beautifully throughout the year, too.
Wrap this lengthy 42-metre string along railings or around your front windows for a beautiful display this Christmas. It has eight light settings, including a flashing effect and a slow fade mode.
Gently flickering candles are a winter essential but real ones don't always last long. Keep the cosy atmosphere going all season with these electric lights which you can connect together should you want extra length.
Lauren was Hearst UK’s Homes and Garden writer, covering the latest trends, sales and product launches for Good Housekeeping, Country Living and House Beautiful, and previously for Cosmopolitan, Red, ELLE, Prima and Harper’s Bazaar. Lauren’s specialism is interiors – whether it’s offering tips on how to perfect a seasonal tablescape or trying out viral kitchenware. She is committed to finding the best-value deals during Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day too, so readers can buy with confidence and save money.
Lauren graduated with a BA in English Literature and Journalism in 2013 and has worked in various editorial roles across the UK, Southeast Asia and North America since 2015. She previously wrote for a local London newspaper, covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle to politics and wellness. When not writing, Lauren can be found bargain hunting for pre-loved trinkets and clothes at various car boot sales across the capital. Follow Lauren on instagram @laurenkatehannah
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