Different Types of Christmas Lights: The Complete, No-Stress Guide
I don’t know about you, but one of our favorite parts of this time of year is walking or driving down the streets that are lit up by the warm glow of Christmas lights. It always feels like you’re in a Hallmark movie. And seeing all the different varieties of lights people use is a highlight as well. Back in the day everyone had the old blue-green-red sets, but now there are so many more options to choose from to get your desired look.
We understand it can be overwhelming with all the different light options available. The experts here at Jingle Bulbs are here to help! We will break down what lights work best for the different looks you want to accomplish. Read on to help you find a mix that feels festively “you.”
Quick Guide (so you don’t overthink it)
| Goal | Best Light Type | Why | Where it Looks Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic roofline "holiday movie " look | C9 LED (pro-grade) | Big, bright, and timeless | Roof peaks, gutters, ridges |
| Cozy, twinkly trees/shrubs | 5mm Wide-Angle LED | Tiny diodes = an even glow | Evergreens, shrubs, small trees |
| Warm, vintage porch vibe | C7 LED | Softer than C9 | Porch lines, small gables |
| Elegant icicles | Icicle LED strands | Vertical drops mimic ice | Eaves, second-story lines |
| Fast shrub coverage | Net lights | Grid = quick, uniform look | Boxwoods, low hedges |
| Wrapping trunks/columns | Trunk-wrap / String lights | Tight, straight lines | Tree trunks, railings, columns |
| "Snowfall" effect | Meteor/snowfall tubes | Animated drip effect | Tall eaves, large trees |
| Show control & color effects | RGB pixels / Smart LEDs | App-controlled scenes | Rooflines, windows, mega-trees |
The Major Players (and what makes each one special)
1) C9 & C7 Bulbs (The Icons)
- C9 are the big and bold teardrop bulbs you picture on classic rooftops. C7 are their slightly smaller siblings.
- Best for: Rooflines, ridges, large outlines.
- Why people love them: They create clean silhouettes, they're visible from the street, and they photograph beautifully.
- Pro tip: Choose faceted LED C9/C7 for sparkle, or smooth lenses for a modern gloss.
2) Mini Lights (M5) & 5mm Wide-Angle LEDs
- M5 mini = the familiar “tiny bulb on a wire.”
- 5mm wide-angle = small, dome-style LEDs that throw an even, consistent halo.
- Best for: Wrapping trees and shrubs; indoor garlands and wreaths.
- Why people love them: Tons of points of light; they make greenery glow instead of looking dotted.
- What they are: Horizontal main wire with vertical “drips” to mimic icicles hanging from rooflines.
- Best for: Two-story homes and dramatic eaves.
- Look: Elegant and wintery—perfect when you want texture instead of a single line.
4) Net Lights
- What they are: Mesh panels of lights that lay over shrubs and hedges.
- Best for: Fast & easy installs with clean and uniform coverage.
- Tip: Measure shrubs and choose the net size that slightly overlaps so you don’t see any seams!
5) Trunk-Wrap & Column Wrap
- What they are: Strings of lights that were designed to make straight, even verticals easy. No uneven gaps!
- Best for: Wrapping tree trunks, pillars and porch columns.
- Why it works: A tidy “candy-cane” wrap turns plain lines into statement features.
6) Meteor / Snowfall Tubes
- What they are: Vertical LED tubes with animated “dripping snow” or “meteor” effects.
- Best for: Tall trees, gables, or a high-impact focal point.
- Why people love them: You only need a few to add movement and “wow.”
7) RGB Pixels & Smart LEDs
- What they are: Individually programmable LEDs that can change color, chase, sparkle or sync to your favorite Christmas music.
- Best for: Create custom scenes, game-day colors, gradients or programmable shows. A big WOW factor!
- Considerations: This type of lighting is expensive and requires a controller and planning. However, you get incredible results when done right.
Common Mistakes (and how to avoid them)
🎄You will want to avoid mixing “warm white” from different brands, as they can look a little off. Each brand’s color temp is slightly different, so side-by-side you’ll see a mismatch (which could drive you crazy all season long).
🎄Tall peaks often read flat because they’re under-lit. To add more sparkle, bump up to C9s or add a second row so the scale feels right from the street.
🎄If your roofline sags it’s not the lights—it’s actually the hardware. You can mend this by using the right clips and plan a few solid anchor points along ridges and gutters.
🎄Trees are sneaky, too; you almost always need more footage (and a couple extra extension cords) than you think, especially on big canopies.
🎄Remember to seal your connections. One open joint after a wet snow can trip the GFCI and take the whole display down.
Safety & Durability (important in Minnesota winters)
Quick sanity check before you plug in: stick to outdoor-rated cords and GFCI-protected outlets, and keep your connections off the ground with little drip loops. This is so meltwater doesn’t run straight into a plug. Don’t daisy-chain forever! You will want to check the manufacturer’s max run length (LEDs can go much longer than incandescent, but there’s still a limit). Store lights like a pro when the season comes to an end: coil strands loosely, avoid sharp bends that crease the wire, and label each bundle by area (roofline, front maple, porch) so next year’s install is fast and drama-free.
The Jingle Bulbs Difference (when you’re ready to skip the ladder)
We help you design the look, install with commercial-grade LEDs and sealed, weather-rated connections, set up timers or apps, provide mid-season service, then takedown and store everything for next year. That means no tangled bins, no blown fuses in a snowstorm, and a display that actually looks like the picture in your head.
Want the classic look without the hassle?
Get a fast, no-pressure quote from Jingle Bulbs Christmas Lighting and we’ll map out the perfect mix of C9s, tree wraps, and feature lights for your home.
