Colored Light Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas

You spend a lot of time picking the ornaments for your tree, but take a moment to consider the lights. Discover top Christmas tree light styles and get inspired to try something a little different for the holiday season.

Christmas Tree Light Ideas by Color

White Christmas Lights

By far the most popular choice among decorators, white or clear Christmas lights provide a versatile canvas for heirloom ornaments or a well-coordinated theme.

christmas tree with white lights If you're looking to purchase a pre-lit tree to last you for many years to come, consider white lights as a base and supplement them with strands of other solid colors or multicolor lights to create a dimensional look that can change with the year as your Christmas décor changes.

Solid Color Christmas Lights

You don't have to go all-in on a full monochromatic color scheme, but one solid color of lights can make a bold statement. Try red or green for a traditional feel or create an icy winter vibe with cool blue bulbs.

red christmas tree with red lights Mix and match strands of your favorite colors to make a look all your own. Weave light strings among each other for an integrated look or create stripes by working from top to bottom one strand at a time. Then, add coordinating Christmas tree decorations for an Instagram-worthy look.

Christmas Lighting Colors by Theme:

Candy Cane Stripe: red and white
Classic Christmas: gold, green, and red
Mardi Gras: gold, green, and purple
Ombre Stripe: white, pink and red
Peacock: blue, green, and purple
Rainbow Stripe: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple
Regal: gold, purple, and white
Unicorn: pink, purple, gold

Multicolor Christmas Lights

A staple of holiday décor for decades, multicolor Christmas lights bring extra joy to the season.

white tree with multicolor lights Whether you prefer multicolored strands in classic incandescent mini bulbs, energy efficient LED lights, or larger size C6, C7, C9, or globe lights, this beloved color scheme provides a versatile canvas for your favorite Christmas ornaments and ribbon.

Christmas Tree Light Styles

G Series Globe Lights

G series bulbs come in a variety of sizes and bring a bolder, brighter look to your holiday tree compared to classic mini lights.

tree with globe lights Choose either the incandescent or LED variety and use them alone or mix and match with other light sizes to create a customized look.

Strawberry Shape Lights

These oversized light bulbs may feel like the most traditional of all the Christmas lighting options because of the warm glow they bring to any tree.

big and small christmas lights From smaller C6 bulbs to the classic C9 size, these lights come in both incandescent and LED varieties and may be faceted for an iced-over look or smooth. Offset larger bulbs with mini lights to bring extra dimension to your tree.

Fiber Optic Christmas Lights

Although they're not technically strand lights, fiber optics are another unique option for lighting up your Christmas tree. This feature is built into your artificial tree. A bulb in the base illuminates the tips of each branch for a gentle yet dazzling look.

Many fiber optic Christmas trees come with color changing options so you can customize it to match your seasonal décor, and you can still layer on traditional lights for extra sparkle.

Christmas Tree Lighting Tips

Choosing the Number of Christmas Light Bulbs

Be sure to have the right amount of bulbs. Use approximately 100-150 mini lights per foot of tree, less for slender trees and more for fuller trees.

Size (Ft.)	Lights
6	600-900
7	700-1050
8	800-1200
9	900-1350
10	1000-1500

Additional Christmas Light Tips

Hang lights while lit to diagnose any problems and help distribute them evenly around your tree.
Put some lights deeper in the tree for a twinkling effect and other bulbs closer to the tips to add dimension.
Safety first: follow manufacturer's instructions to prevent overloading extension cords or circuits.

See our Christmas Lights Buying Guide for more detailed information on lighting types, decorating tips, installation tips, and troubleshooting.

Once you've determined your lighting type and color scheme, you're ready to create a Christmas tree look that may be your most memorable yet. Browse the blog to discover more decorating ideas for trees, lights, ornaments, and décor to style your space for the holiday.

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