Outdoor Christmas lights that do not break

[Anonymous]

Does such a thing exist?

Every other year I go through this. Pull out the lights, hang them up, give them a test run and they either do not work or only half work. Is it only icicle lights that do this?

I've gone through various brands. Home Depot, Ace, does not matter. I've used LED's and incandescent. Same results.

I need a replacement, but internet searches only seem to lead me to manufacturers in China.

Frustrating.

[Anonymous]

Join those of us who don't put up lights! We did lights for years and the hassle of it just led us to bah humbug!! Now I put up a wreath and decorate inside the house.

Putting the happy into the holidays.

[Anonymous]

I’m right there with you, OP. Went though dozens of strands that are only 2 years old, tried replacing bulbs to no avail. It sickens me. I won’t buy more.

[Anonymous]

These things: https://www.christmasdesigners.com/christmas-lights/led-christmas-lights/5mm-wide-angle-conical-led-lights/pro-series-5mm-wide-angle-conical-led-ry-connect.html

Fully sealed bulbs, strings screw together with a rubber gasket (not an ordinary plug). If any one bulb burns out it doesn't affect the rest.

I put them up at TG and keep some of them up until March. Going strong several years later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These things: https://www.christmasdesigners.com/christmas-lights/led-christmas-lights/5mm-wide-angle-conical-led-lights/pro-series-5mm-wide-angle-conical-led-ry-connect.html

Fully sealed bulbs, strings screw together with a rubber gasket (not an ordinary plug). If any one bulb burns out it doesn't affect the rest.

I put them up at TG and keep some of them up until March. Going strong several years later.

^ thank you. I will check this out.

[Anonymous]

I just buy whatever is on sale – target, Michael’s, Home Depot, etc. and honestly don’t really have a problem with them breaking. It’s all about how you’re storing them and take down/handling. I think some love just throw them in a tub without care and expect them to work perfectly the next year

[Anonymous]

I've had good luck with the Target string lights. I bought 12 sets three years ago (on sale for somewhere around $7.50 each) and only one wasn't working when I pulled them out this year.

I used to have a high fail rate when I stored our string lights in the attic or garage. Now I store them in the basement in a large plastic storage bin.

[Anonymous]

Restrain yourself from elaborate Xmas lights. If you get frowned by snobby neighbors, tell them you are in solidarity with Ukraine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just buy whatever is on sale – target, Michael’s, Home Depot, etc. and honestly don’t really have a problem with them breaking. It’s all about how you’re storing them and take down/handling. I think some love just throw them in a tub without care and expect them to work perfectly the next year

I tend to agree. I take my lights down, carefully fold them back and forth into a bundle and tie the bundle, put the lights into plastic bags and gently put back into the crate. My incandescent ones lasted about 10 years with 0-4 light bulbs replaced each season. I replaced with LED lights about 6 years ago. I put them up over the last two weekends. Still going strong.

I bought them from https://www.christmaslightsetc.com/?s=emailconf&c=cleo&l=logo

But the thing about the lights is that you need to keep the cables from getting twisted and kinked while stored and keep the bulbs/LEDs cushioned instead of tossing them into a bin. Electronics are often delicate and as long as you treat them with care, they last (from my experience).

[Anonymous]

Thanks this post has been so helpful. I hate the waste of discarding all this Christmas related plastic but love having Christmas lights. I wish there was a company that would refurbish fake trees. I would pay a lot to not throw away my large fake trees when the lights go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks this post has been so helpful. I hate the waste of discarding all this Christmas related plastic but love having Christmas lights. I wish there was a company that would refurbish fake trees. I would pay a lot to not throw away my large fake trees when the lights go.

The way to handle this is to buy trees where the lights are removeable. I purchased a fake tree with lights. They've been going strong for10 years now (this year is the 11th year). But the way the lights are mounted, if they go out, we can remove the lights. They are mounted with dark evergreen zip ties that match the colo r of the artificlal branches and pine needles. I can purchase another string of LED lights and rewire the tree and use the same plug extensions that are mounted on the trunk of the tree and voila, the tree is refreshed and I don't have to discard the tree, which is the purpose of having a fake tree.

[Anonymous]

Get this magical device, and it will fix all of your strands that don’t work.

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/home-and-decor/holiday/christmas-indoor-decor/9884750?store=15122&gbraid=0AAAAADtqLJEgj2QvO7qQZctXn2n7QQqs0&gbraid=0AAAAADtqLJEgj2QvO7qQZctXn2n7QQqs0&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7bucBhCeARIsAIOwr-916NMKUstT6j1qgsNyyo5-XzBc_Z5rCOnnGTCcgmpwJkIM_rRmpocaAmvuEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've had good luck with the Target string lights. I bought 12 sets three years ago (on sale for somewhere around $7.50 each) and only one wasn't working when I pulled them out this year.

I used to have a high fail rate when I stored our string lights in the attic or garage. Now I store them in the basement in a large plastic storage bin.

This is the important part. They can’t be stored in the attic or garage if there are high temps. The fuses just don’t last.

I have had the same Christmas lights for over 10 years. Occasionally I get one that needs fuse changes. But I store my lights in the basement in boxes- I gently wrap my lights up in coils and check for burned out lights beforehand and change bulbs.

The other thing- I use electrical tape to join stands and cover open sockets.

[Anonymous]

I've had rope lighting that has lasted 9 years. But man have prices gone up.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEERPORT-DECOR-16-ft-Blue-All-Occasion-Indoor-Outdoor-LED-Rope-Light-360Directional-Shine-Decoration-2-Pack-32-ft-Total-RL16-BL-2PK/206792264?

[Anonymous]

This laser thing. Plug it in, whole house is lit up, easy to store
https://a.co/d/eEgV5yg