Expert guide to lighting up the holidays

Christmas decorations are every bit as important to the magic of the holidays as the presents under the tree. Inside and out, the right Christmas lights can make your home shine.

Outdoor Christmas lights can be used indoors, but indoor lights can’t be used outdoors.

Incandescent lights: These classic holiday lights are both bright and inexpensive enough that replacing a single bulb or string is quick and affordable.

LED lights: LED Christmas lights are becoming more popular because of their superior durability and energy efficiency. You can safely use more lights with fewer outlets while saving money on your electricity bill. They're great for homes with children as their surface remains cool to touch.

Outdoor lights: These sturdy lights are built to safely withstand the elements outside your home and last through harsh winters. They can also be used inside as Christmas tree lights.

Solar lights: Solar Christmas lights charge during the day and cost nothing to operate. They’re eco-friendly but their brightness can fluctuate due to inconsistent sunlight and overcast skies.

From classic to wacky, festive Christmas lights come in many styles:

• Bulb string lights: You can't go wrong on Christmas with these classic lights, which come in incandescent and LED styles. Mini LED lights are ideal for decorating the Christmas tree.
• Rope lights: LED lights inside flexible tubes, these are a beautiful and stylish alternative to bulb lights. They’re perfect for coiling around porch columns, railings and tree trunks.
• Novelty lighting: For the adventurous decorator, there are net lights, icicle lights, snowflake lights and other variations. There are even colour-changing LEDs that really capture the magic of the holidays.

Consider safety, energy and how you'll be decorating:

• Safety: Avoid plugging too many lights into a single outlet.
• Power usage: If you are concerned about your electricity bill, consider buying LED lights and limiting the time your lights are turned on.
• Difficult locations: If you want to put up outdoor lighting in a location without an outlet, consider battery-operated string lights.

• Planning: Plan ahead and take measurements so you know how many Christmas lights to buy and how much space you intend to cover.
• Analysis: Testing agencies offer analysis and lists to help you determine which brands and types are safe and well-made.
• One room at a time: When buying your indoor Christmas decorations, consider how you want each room to look and the number and position of wall outlets.
• Timer: A light timer can turn your Christmas lights on and off at set times, saving money and energy.

Design your lighting scheme before you buy your Christmas lights so you have enough to create the desired effect. There’s nothing better than a well-planned display to get you and your loved ones into the Christmas spirit.