Many people all over the world enjoy getting into the holiday spirit with decorations, and one of the most common means of decoration is hanging Christmas lights on their homes. An exterior display of Christmas lights can range from a single strand wrapped around the eaves to an elaborate display of multicolored lights wound into a complex shape. To hang Christmas lights, a ladder along with a set of hooks and nails are needed.

It is recommended to wait for a dry day to hang Christmas lights, so that the steps of the ladder do not get slippery, although shoes with good tread should be worn on the ladder to avoid slipping. A tool belt is useful so that a hammer and screwdriver can be kept close to hand while hooks and nails are in the belt, rather than cluttering up the ladder. Depending on the complexity of the planned design, an assistant can be useful.

To hang Christmas lights, first determine the location of the exterior outlet. Most homes have an exterior outlet, and if not, an extension cord should be run outside and taped down so that residents and guests will not trip over it. If you are planning to hang Christmas lights in multiple strands, multiple outlets should be used to reduce the load on the outlet and prolong the life of the light strands.

It can be a nuisance to hang Christmas lights and immediately take them down, so be certain to test the Christmas lights you are hanging in a reliable inside outlet. It is also a good idea to hang Christmas lights rated for outdoor use, rather than regular indoor lights. Outdoor lights tend to be more weather resistant, and will often be larger and bolder to stand out against your home and garden.

After the desired pattern for the Christmas lights has been determined, hooks should be placed for the lights to be hung on. If hanging the lights under the eaves, for example, hooks would be placed at regular intervals under the eaves so that the lights will not droop. If the hooks are well sealed and weather resistant, you can leave them up for next year as well. After placing the hooks, it is time to hang the Christmas lights, hanging one strand at a time and being certain to move the ladder so that you are not dangerously over-extending. If connecting multiple strands, make sure that the outlets are tightly connected. You may want to consider sealing them with electrical tape to keep rain and snow out.

Creative decorators can hang Christmas lights in any pattern, although it may require some creative footwork. Trees and stars are both relatively simple patterns to make, especially if they are drawn out on paper beforehand. Some companies also sell frameworks for lights with can be hung directly on the house, taking much of the laborious effort out of making an fun holiday design.