how to hang christmas lights without gutters

Are you the Scrooge on your block with the unlit, dark house while all the others are decked out in colorful Christmas lights? We feel you, and while your neighbors might think your house is black, like your soul, we know the truth—you just hate stringing up Christmas lights! It's totally fair, because if you've never done it before, the process can be seriously intimidating, and why should you have to spend money to hire someone to do it for you? You're already draining your bank account on gifts, anyway. But this is the year your house doesn't look like the Grinch's lair, because we're going to teach you how to string up outdoor Christmas lights, and we promise it's not as panic-inducing as it seems.

This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

What You'll Need

How It's Done

1. Start by measuring any straight line you plan to string with lights. This way, you'll know just how many strands you actually need. (Side note—don't forget to measure the distance to your power source!)

YouTube

2. String your strands together—group similar lights (colored with colored, white with white) to keep things from looking too mismatched.

Footwear, Leg, Floor, Shoe, Flooring, Foot,

YouTube

3. Before any hanging is done—test your lights. You don't want any burnt out bulbs after they've already been installed.

Games, Play, Technology, Hand, Recreation, Plastic,

YouTube

4. Attach your light clips, and make sure all the lights are in the same direction.

Electrical wiring, Cable, Wire, Technology, Electrical supply, Electronic device, Electronic engineering, Hand, Electronics accessory,

YouTube

5. Start from the ground up—use net lights to hang over bushes, use a hanging pole to tackle trees, and wrap around railings, using the clips to secure the lights.

Wood, Electrical wiring, Hardwood, Weaving, Wood stain, Window, Electrical supply,

YouTube

6. There's no way around it—you're going to have to get up on a ladder to install lights on your house, but forget the duct tape and use light clips to attach to your gutters. It'll make your life so much easier.

Branch, Knot, Crochet, Hand, Plant, Twig, Thread, Flower,

YouTube

Now you're done! Flip the switch (or plug them into an outdoor timer) and you're ready to get lit. To set it done step-by-step, watch the video below.

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io