Fairy Lights for Trees

Strings of small white Christmas lights, also called fairy lights, are typically wrapped around Christmas trees and used for holiday decor. But, these classic lights can be used year-round to provide an inviting, elegant lighting option for trees, spring barbecues and elegant dinner parties or soirees.

A string of light for each tree that graces your property illuminating bare winter branches makes a pleasing spectacle. String the fairy lights through the tree branches as you would on a Christmas tree. You can experiment with wrapping them around the tree, around individual branches or draping them vertically for different looks.

For a more intense effect, fairy lights can be strung on smaller shrubs or trees so more light covers less area. Wrap lights around individual branches on very tiny trees, so they look like they're filled with fairies or fire flies.

For outdoor lighting during the spring or summer months, you can make your own flower garland lights with fairy lights and faux flowers. Remove the plastic bottoms of faux buds, and place the flower over an individual bulb on a string of fairy lights. Tuck flowers into branches and wrap them around the tree.

Or, string several lengths of lights in a grid between trees to create a canopy or ceiling; this is particularly effective for adding a soft glow of light to an area you'd like to feature, like an outside dinner table.

Instead of tucking fairy lights into a tree, you can hang a cluster of them from high branches to create a visual centerpiece in your garden or outdoor lounge area. Wrap and tuck fairy lights into an old chandelier frame (wiring removed). Hang the chandelier from a strong, high branch. The chandelier must be securely attached so that it doesn't fall -- even if it gets a bit windy.

Use several small chandeliers around one tree, or illuminate a walking path or driveway by placing one chandelier on each tree lining the way.