outdoor Christmas lights

moneylover

Hello
We have recently moved to a new house and have two lovely shaped yew trees which are a feature of our front garden
Was thinking of putting lights in them this Christmas but need some advice on best to use.
Am thinking the white lights rather than the 'warm' white would show up best. Def don't want multi-coloured.
Then I looked at cluster lights, icicle rope lights, string lights and think that what is most appropriate to trees are probably the simple string lights especially as will need long lengths. Is this right? Then there is the decision between multifunctional and static - multifunctional are ten pounds more minimum and I don't think I want these necessarily (indoors I don't use flashing type facility on my tree). But what do people think?
A reasonable make seems to be Christmas Workshop lights and at the moment you can get 3 for 2 in Argos (can use a set in back garden)
eg http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2621009.htm
but can't get this wrong as cant take these lights back to argos if you change your mind!
Another choice is the lengths you can join together to get what you want but this does seem to cost more...


Next question please is how best to set lights up. Some lights that are suitable for outdoors say transformer must be indoors - don't know if it is the case for these.
We have a properly fitted encased outside point we can plug into but if we are doing two sets we are going to need to plug into some sort of extension board as only one outside point.
Any advice very gratefully received - people light up whole houses and more so it cant be that difficult its just that I am outside my normal comfort zone!!
Am always v grateful for the help I receive on here!

Ectophile

The Argos lights you linked to say in the description:-

Awaken your home with these attractive 600 White LED String Lights approximately 55.92m long with a bulb spacing of 8cm, enabling flexibility on their placement in your home.

• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
• Functions include: static LED.
• 55m lead length.
• Distance from plug to first bulb: 800cm.
• Transformer must be placed indoors.
• EAN: 5025301756505.

So the transformer must be indoors, but it comes with a pretty long lead to the first bulb.

moneylover

we could manage with one transformer in garage but its not going to help with the other tree that would be more than 8 ft away.
There must be a way round this
what do people with zillions of lights do?

adandem

I would personally avoid argos, b&q halve their prices. Also worth trying places like b&m and home bargains. I'm not a fan of flashing lights but I tend to go for a gentle twinkle outside.
You can buy special extension cables for your lights too.
Just Google, I can't link on my phone sorry!

Ectophile

moneylover wrote: »

we could manage with one transformer in garage but its not going to help with the other tree that would be more than 8 ft away.
There must be a way round this
what do people with zillions of lights do?

800cm is just over 25 feet, if that helps.

moneylover

well the Argos lights are good value as I need 3 sets and cheapest free. Have had a good look around.
If anyone can point me in direction of outside extension cables etc that would be great, next year if lights still work none of the hassle of this year as shall be a pro!

manda1205

We always have lights outside at Christmas. IMO, always go a lot longer than you actually think you need as its never enough, particularly when hanging in a tree. I also prefer the rope lights, they have lasted the longest out of all our lights, and we can join sets together too. I usually leave mine on permanent in the tree as it seems to look nicer to me, but that's just personal preference. As for where to buy, our rope lights came from Tesco, and we've had them for years. Other lights, I've bought from various places and there's no telling which is any better, they're all much of a muchness.

passion_flower

you need to look for connectable lights, you simply join as many lengths as you need/wish for. Not cheap mind