Ideas For Decorating With Christmas Lights

Colorful Christmas Lights Closeup

If you love decorating for Christmas, you probably have stockpiles of Christmas lights stored (cleverly) away for all but one month of the year. But your Christmas lights shouldn't sit in the attic gathering dust — there are ways to use them tastefully in the summer, too. Christmas lights instantly make any setting feel warm and even magical, so why wouldn't you use them around the house during the other months of the year? Whether you're lighting up an outdoor wedding reception or doing a fun DIY project with the kids while they're out of school, get inspired to use those twinkling lights all summer long. There will be no time for tangles.

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Hanging Photo Album

12 Ways to Use Your Christmas Lights in the Summer Pictures Hanging

Credit: Urban Outfitters Blog

Clip all your summer pictures up on strings of Christmas lights for an ethereal glow in your room. Swap the pictures out next season, and keep making memories.

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Porch Party Lighting

12 Ways to Use Your Christmas Lights in the Summer Porch Party Lighting

Credit: Splash of Something

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Free Time DIY

12 Ways to Use Your Christmas Lights in the Summer DIY Light Up Moon Headboard

Credit: Susan Teare

Do a summer DIY project with your little one and make this light-up moon headboard. Find instructions for how to make it here from DIY Network.

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Highlight Your Highlighter

12 Ways to Use Your Christmas Lights in the Summer Christmas Lights Around Mirror

Credit: The Everygirl

Illuminate the fairest of them all while you get ready for summer parties with extra lighting around your mirror. Don't forget to touch up with these items on our summer beauty bucket list!

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When It's Too Hot for the Drive-In

12 Ways to Use Your Christmas Lights in the Summer At Home Movie Theater

Credit: Anna Benner

For summer date night in or a fun sleepover for the kids, make a DIY theater lined with Christmas lights — so you have enough light to see the snacks, of course.

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Beat Summer Reading Boredom

12 Ways to Use Your Christmas Lights in the Summer Kids Reading Nook

Credit: Rooms For Rent

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Summer Science Experiment

12 Ways to Use Your Christmas Lights in the Summer Christmas Light Science Experiment

Credit: PreKinders

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Plan Summer Adventures

12 Ways to Use Your Christmas Lights in the Summer DIY Map Destination Planner

Credit: Hazel & Ruby

Get excited about those summer vacays with a map to (literally) highlight your destinations using Christmas lights. Find instructions for how to make it here from Hazel & Ruby.

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Camp-In

12 Ways to Use Your Christmas Lights in the Summer Indoor Camping

Credit: 52 for Two

Even if there are summer storms in the South, you can still go camping inside! Turn all the lights off and use Christmas lights to recreate a starry night. Make classic campfire snacks like s'mores (or our deep-fried version) and hot dogs and cuddle up, mosquito-free. Fun for a kids' sleepover or a creative date night.

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Backyard Wedding Reception

12 Ways to Use Your Christmas Lights in the Summer Outdoor Wedding Reception

Credit: Fondly Forever Photography

What would an outdoor wedding reception be without lights in the trees? You already know how to hang Christmas lights, so save money and DIY. If you aren't planning any backyard wedding receptions, a more toned-down look using Christmas lights in the trees would be beautiful and festive for an outdoor summer party.

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For the Perfect Instagram

12 Ways to Use Your Christmas Lights in the Summer Wedding or Photo Booth Backdrop

Credit: D'Amor Photography

Create a sparkly backdrop for a table at a wedding or party, or move the table aside for a picture-perfect photo booth area.

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Christmas In July Movie Party

12 Ways to Use Your Christmas Lights in the Summer Christmas In July Movie Party

Credit: The Lovecats inc

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