While the stores are literally lighting up over the Christmas season with more flashing lights than you’ll ever need, you’ll be better off with these cheap Christmas light yard ideas when on a budget. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with store-bought string lights in all of the colors of the rainbow, you can never save too much money, especially when it comes to seasonal decor that gets stored for a large chunk of the year.
Repurpose everyday household items to create magical Christmas displays that’ll wow your neighbors, or use standard discount store string lights to light up the features in your yard and spread warmth and joy.
1. DIY Mason Jar Lights
It doesn’t get any cheaper than mason jars, especially if you already had them in your home. They’re a budget decorator’s best friend because with little materials and a touch of creativity, you can turn them into glorious focal points. Simply add some LED tea lights or a bundle of string lights to your jars and you’ve got stunning flowing jars that you can place on your porch, along your pathways, or even in your garden beds.
If you want to hang them, attach wire handles and let them shine from high tree branches. You can achieve an even more festive look with colorful ornaments and fake snow, or plaid/burlap wrapped around the jars. They’re cheap, easy to put together, and you can reuse them year after year.
2. Twinkling Bushes
If you’ve already got bushes in your yard, you can make them Christmassy without breaking the bank. Wrap string lights around your bushes and shrubs to create a gorgeous snowy effect that resembles something out of a Christmas card. It won’t cost anything if you use string lights you have lying around, but if you buy solar or LED strings, you can use them for many years.
Thus, this is one of the cheap Christmas light yard ideas when on a budget that’s more than worth the cost. And yes, it does get even cheaper and easier. Use net lights that drape over the bushes, which reduces the time it takes to set up and take off, as well as the lights required.
3. Sculptural Lighting
The light sculptures in the store are cute, but they don’t really meet all of the requirements of cheap Christmas light yard ideas when on a budget. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have star-, reindeer-, or tree-shaped lights in your garden. Create your own with cheap materials like coat hangers, chicken wire, or PVC pipes. Wrap the frame with affordable LED rope or string lights, and place the finished products on your lawn or mount them along fences. You can give the displays an organic look with natural branches bound with twine.
4. Rope Light Borders
Rope lights are flexible, so they’re perfect for light projects that require bending. Use them to define the edges of walkways, your home’s architecture, your driveway, and flower beds. Warm white creates a soft, elegant look, while colorful tones have a festive vibe. You can also get creative and spell out words with the lights on your roof or along your walls. Simple words like “JOY” or “MERRY,” or even simple holiday-related shapes can capture the Christmas spirit and keep your bank account happy.
5. String Lights
You may be tempted to go all out and purchase a bunch of new Christmassy string lights with cascading colorful bulbs, but it’s much more affordable to use classic LED string lights. Those cool and warm white tones that are versatile and timeless, and can be used for more than Christmas displays.
Drape them along your fence line, wrap them around trees, and string them across your porch to make a big impact. Use your indoor string lights outdoors by protecting them with weatherproofing measures and take them back in when Christmas has come and gone.
6. Glowing Gift Boxes
Gift boxes are synonymous to Christmas and you can take them outdoors. Don’t worry, you don’t have to leave your wrapped game console or new kitchen appliance in the cold. Instead, use wire mesh frames, old storage boxes, or crates to create fake gift boxes.
Wrap them in ribbon, fabric, or tulle, weave string lights through the material, and finish the look with bows and evergreen sprigs. Stack your outdoor gifts in clusters of different sizes to look like real piles of presents and store them away when the festive cheer moves along.
7. Outdoor Christmas Tree
How do you feel about a natural tree instead of an expensive pre-lit outdoor tree? You can create your own with materials you already have and your favorite tree in your front or backyard. Wrap some lights around a large evergreen and hang some outdoor baubles from the branches. It’s even better if you can incorporate other cheap Christmas light yard ideas when on a budget, like hanging mason jar lights.
If you don’t have a large tree, you can make your own DIY Christmas tree with tomato cages or wooden poles. Create a frame and drape string lights and ribbons around it, and then top it off with ornaments and pinecones. When you’re done, place your glowing gift boxes underneath to keep the tradition alive.
8. Christmas Accent Uplighting
Instead of putting all of your focus on the lights, use them to shift the focus to your Christmas accents. If you position inexpensive lights at the base of trees, shrubs, and decor, you won’t have to spend anything extra but your holiday display will have depth.
It’ll allow your existing seasonal decor to shine without overwhelming the space. Opt for solar of LED options to save money and play your role in green living, and use colored filters or gels to enhance the Christmas spirit.
9. Curtain Lights
Curtain lights have the ability to cover large spaces like fences, porch railings, and exterior walls, but they also work well in smaller spaces. The cascading strings of lights create the most beautiful sparkling backdrop that resembles falling snow or even shimmering stars. This lighting option tends to have a lot of bulbs, so opt for something energy-efficient like LEDs or solar-powered versions.
Simply hang them where you want them, plug them in, and voila. If you want a soft, diffused glow with a whimsical touch, drape them behind sheer fabric. Colorful bulbs will capture the festive spirit, but cool or warm white tones can be used throughout the year and for other special occasions.
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.