Best products from r/ChristmasLights

You have two options. DIY or pre-built.

For DIY, start here:

diychristmas.org beginner wiki

doityourselfchristmas.com beginner wiki

If you choose to go DIY, your two main sequencer options are Vixen 3 and XLights. These software programs allow for tons of flexibility with hardware. You could add any amount of pixels or A/C lights you want, as long as your computer can handle it. You can build your own sequences or share them with others. You could order pre-made controllers or build your own.

It’s way too late in the year if you want to go DIY.

For pre-built, start here:

Light o Rama: LOR will allow you to program your own display and add any amount of pixels or A/C lights you want. They also offer custom sequences. You must use their hardware, which is quite expensive.

Mr. Christmas Light Show: You could also use something like this. It has a limited selection of songs and only 6 channels of light. You can’t program your own songs. It’s an easy plug and play solution that’s not scalable.

Gemma Orchestra of Light: This is an app controllable solution. They make a few Orchestra of Light RGB strands and A/C controllers that can be paired with the wireless hub. It’s somewhat scalable if you wish to add more controllers. I believe it has pre-build songs and you can stream songs over Bluetooth. Reviews are so-so.

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any further questions.


P.S. This is my display if you’re interested. I’m running on Vixen 3. The display consists of two diy Renard Plus TR24 controllers for a total of 48 dimmable channels, and two ESPixelStick controllers for a total of 400 pixels.

Same boat. Had been eying a lift, but my house isn't big enough. It's been nine years since we moved into this (our third) house, but the first year I made a concerted effort at second floor icicle lights.

First, I got these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FLS2U0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had them back in our first house because they were super easy to put up on a pole. But I haven't seen them at retail since. But I did find eventually on Amazon.

And then even though I've got telescoping everything at this point, I did buy this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076L1J38T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Because it a tip that will make it easy to first put on the clips, then lay on the lights, then take off just the lights next year while leaving the clips year round.

I'm sure I'll need to get on a ladder, but probably just my 8' standing ladder.

Still working out how to get second floor windows.

Then those are the same strings that I used for my house.

I assembled a handful of ESPixelSticks (available pre-soldered here), spliced some strings together so that each stick would control the maximum of 63 pixels, used some of these from ebay to waterproof them, and now I can control them in xLights aka Nutcracker.

I have two 63-light strings, one 54-light string, and one 36-light string (added later-not in pics) for a total of 216 pixels.

I had looked into complete diy pixels, but I really appreciate the fact that I don't have to mess with buying my own transformers or deal with many extension cables, since they have end-to-end outlets.

I'll pick up whatever G28 GECE strings are on clearance after new year's near me and expand my lights by a bit, but I'm really happy with what I have.

There's definitely some variation in what you get based on the lights you buy. I like these on amazon. A little bit pricier but they seem like they will last a long time and are a pretty close match.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F9AHK5O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_AbkxybHB4GWTP

You could look for "pure white" led and not get that blueish tint to them. But I'm with you on wanting the traditional look with the benefits of led lights.

Are you talking about the sockets that have little metal "wings" on them to hold the light in place? If so, you can use the cords that are designed for ceramic "village" houses, like Lemax or Department 56. Single-bulb cords are sold at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and other stores like that, as well as at Home Depot. Online, there are quite a few places that sell them, and of course, including Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Hobbies-708N1-Replacement-Christmas/dp/B01LVXU2IV?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_4

Good luck!

I found them! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018A4E058/

Celebrations V8224212 Twinkling Lights Bulbs,20-Feet, Multi-Colored

Random twinkling, Red, Green, Yellow-orange, Blue, and Magenta (the picture and description does not mention magenta, but I ordered 4 strings of these and to my pleasant surprise they had magenta, too). On the 100 bulb strand, 10 bulbs twinkle randomly. In short, these are exactly as I remember from the late 70's/early 80's.

This is the right answer. 2.5v is pretty standard, but this set likely needs more like 11-12v. Those may be hard to find in stores. Here's an Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/CELEBRATIONS-Mini-Replacement-bulbs-CLEAR/dp/B002SZAAY6/

Also, if the stickers are still attached to the end of the wire (near the plug), it should tell you what voltage bulb is required.

Bethlehem lighting: string tinsel bulbs: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B009N6IAIQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&amp=undefined&sa-no-redirect=1&th=1

Imaginary Colours: Color Your Rainbow string: https://imaginarycolours.com/shop?keywords=color%20your%20rainbow&olsPage=products%2Fcolor-your-rainbow-50-modes-wide-angle-led-light-string (requires a remote, but has much nicer functions than typically found on commercial items)

Imaginary Colours: bulbs: https://imaginarycolours.com/shop?keywords=color%20changing&olsPage=products%2F6-pack-slow-color-changing-frosted-c7

Christmas Designers: bulbs: https://www.christmasdesigners.com/c9-led-retrofit-bulb-slow-change-non-dimmable-minleon.html

I bought this and it works great.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015360OBK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I picked up several of these Lumineo cluster lights at Lowe's last year. I LOVED them! But I can't seem to find the same lights anywhere this year, sadly.

Last week, I just picked up this set from Amazon and they look very, very similar. I didn't take a pic after dark but here they are as I was putting them up just after sunset. I have a baby set of them for my little office Christmas tree too

They look like those cluster rice lights but hard to see without being lit. Do they look like these?

You mean like this? https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Smart-Plug-works-Alexa/dp/B01MZEEFNX/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1543261571&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=alexa+smart+plugs&psc=1

I use these for securing the lights on mine, but you could use them to just secure the wires if you wanted to. I painted mine to match the trim which means I can leave the clips year over year and has the added benefit of decreasing degradation from the the UV from the sun.


Surface Light Clip For C7 And C9 Lights https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P0HA3K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3VB4DbR9Z35TD

These are the ones I have:


Tupkee Christmas Bubble Lights - Set of 7 Multi-Color Lights - Bubble Lights for Christmas Tree Holiday Decor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KC5X19Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_u2j2DbEK8GCPD

If you have a shingle roof you could use clips like these. I used to use something similar on my roof line, and they also work on the gutters and vinyl siding.

These are what I use, paint them the color of your house and you are set.

Snap in Clips for 1/2" PEX Tubing (130/bag) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QSNWTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fA9QCbFY34NPV

Here is the desktop version of your link

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000234UFG/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480999424&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=outdoor+extension+cord+splitter&dpPl=1&dpID=41Mg6CLjRBL&ref=plSrch