Fun and Unusual Uses for Christmas Tree Lights

When Christmas season comes along, the days often get shorter and darkness seems to fall earlier in the evening. Christmas lights are a festive way to keep darkness at bay, brightening homes and spreading holiday cheer. But sometimes it can be hard to come up with new or original ideas for using Christmas tree lights. Luckily, each year there seem to be new or unique colors and styles of Christmas lights. I like to experiment with unusual ways to showcase them. Here are some of my favorite decorating tips and tricks for Christmas lights (and have a look at the accompanying photos for more ideas):

Start with Christmas tree lights and you might not have to buy much more to complete your holiday decor

It isn't always necessary to buy a ton of holiday decorations to get a lot of bang for your buck - especially if you start with some good basic Christmas lights. I like to buy both battery-operated and the kind that plug into wall. This allows for more versatility. Once you've gathered your lights, you are ready to experiment with these ideas:

Take a mirror, some white Christmas lights and a couple of unlit candles to create a simple, attractive holiday accent

This easy decorating idea proves that contemporary simplicity can make a statement, especially if you have a mirror to make holiday lights look even more dazzling. With two white candles, a mirror or mirrored tray and some battery-operated Christmas lights ( both white and red lights look lovely together),all you have to do is set up the candles, turn on the Christmas tree lights and watch the mirror make this arrangement look impressive, simple and tasteful. If you want to add anything else, spray some pine cones red or green and place them artfully on the mirror.

Another unique use of Christmas lights? Make your fireplace look cozy and warm even if you have a nonworking fireplace

This is one of my favorite uses for holiday lighting, even in the summer. Take a few logs, place them in your fireplace and then pile on the white or multicolored Christmas lights. If you want the scene to look brighter, simply put a mirror in the back of your fireplace. This really isn't necessary, though. You'll get all the warmth and cheer of a winter fire with none of the fuss and muss.

Use unusual items with your Christmas lights to shake up holiday decorating doldrums

If you take a look at the photos which should accompany this article, you'll see some of the accents we use, including a wooden cat mixed in with a miniature Christmas tree, pine cones and Christmas lights. By taking what you have and adding seasonal lighting, you can incorporate your usual accents into a Christmas display. Vintage children's books are a perfect addition to holiday decor, especially if they are older Christmas books or catalogs (some vintage Christmas catalogs are amazing).

Old Christmas gift bags and boxes can be used as accents when fitted with Christmas lights

We save any old gift boxes which have pictures on them, particularly Christmas scenes. By carefully poking small holes in the boxes, you can insert lights. This can be very effective, making illustrations of snow-covered homes appear to have lit windows. You can even use lights to add "stars" to the sky. An easy way to recycle and create new Christmas decorations at the same time.

Christmas lights can literally light up old or new Christmas cards

While Christmas cards can be attractive on their own, they can become part of your decor if you add lights to them (I prefer battery-operated lights). Many have winter scenes or other types of illustrations that are perfect for Christmas lights.

Plain jars or even glasses get jazzed up when filled with Christmas lights

We like to use two or three jars, fill then with Christmas lights and use them as accents on a table. This also works well when serving a buffet, with the lights adding Christmas spirit but none of the dripping wax of candles.

Christmas lights can make your kitchen shine

Here's a simple way to provide a seasonal accent in your kitchen. Take a red or green colander (or even a stainless steel one if you like), fill it with tissue paper or shredded colored paper and place battery-operated Christmas lights in middle and along the edges. Add simple, round Christmas ornaments and you have a lovely holiday display, using the novelty of a colander or strainer as a starting point.

Snow globes comes alive when surrounded by Christmas lights and family photos

Christmas lights really shine though snow globes, making their scenes stand out. Add some family photos, put the whole collection on a mirrored or plain tray and you've just created a unique holiday accent. A few sprigs of holly or pine boughs and your scene is complete.

Don't forget to add Christmas books to your holiday accents and surround them with Christmas lights

Odds are, you've got some Christmas books around. If so, why not make them a part of your holiday decor? They can look lovely strung with Christmas lights - or perhaps you'd prefer to wrap them in plain brown paper (even paper bag covers), poke holes in the paper and let the lights shine through?

Battery-operated Christmas lights make guest bathrooms sparkle.

One of my favorite tricks for adding some dazzle to guest bathrooms is very easy. I take clear or solid colored guest soaps (clear work best), put some battery-operated lights in a small basket and put the soap on top of them. When guests arrive, I turn on the lights. Not only is this attractive but it makes the soap easier to find in dimly lit bathrooms or those which are being lit by Christmas candles, a tradition in some homes during the holiday season.

Have a look at the photos accompanying this article to get some more ideas for decorating with Christmas tree lights...and may your holidays be full of light and joy.