Christmas Window Lights: 3 Easy Ways to Make Your Windows Glow

Windows do a lot of work at Christmas. From the street, they are the first thing a guest sees. From inside, they frame the dark evenings, and a little warm light in the glass can make a whole room feel finished. The good news is that you do not need a ladder, an outdoor display, or a big budget to get the look.

I’m sharing three simple styles that suit almost any window: warm white icicle lights, candle-style window lights, and a softly lit wreath or garland. Each one can be hung with removable clips and hooks, so nothing needs a nail. Pick one for a clean look, or mix two for a fuller window.

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What You Will Need

• Warm white icicle lights: a connectable plug-in strand with clear wire and drops of different lengths, in a soft warm white tone. Shop this option
• Ivory flameless taper candles: battery-operated candles with a remote timer, so they switch on at dusk without a cord across the sill. Shop this option
• Brass candle holders: a set of gold-toned metal taper holders to set the candles in on the sill. Shop this option
• Clear adhesive light clips: removable clips that hold the string lights along the window frame without nails. Shop this option
• Clear adhesive window hook: a damage-free hook that holds a wreath on the glass or the frame. Shop this option
• Battery-operated pre-lit wreath: a green wreath with pinecones, a red bow and warm white LED lights built in, so there is no cord to hide. Shop this option
• Outlet timer: a plug-in timer for the icicle lights, so they turn on and off by themselves. Shop this option

How to Hang Warm White Icicle Lights

Icicle lights follow the top edge of the window and let the light fall in soft, uneven strands. Because the drops hang at different lengths, the effect looks more natural than a straight line of bulbs, and it works on a wide picture window or a small bedroom window alike.

1. Wipe the frame: use a dry cloth to remove dust so the adhesive clips grip well.
2. Plan the plug: note which outlet is closest and which end of the strand will reach it, so the cord runs along the side of the window and not across the middle.
3. Place the clips: press clips along the top of the frame at even spacing, following the directions on the package.
4. Clip in the strand: set the top wire of the string into each clip and let the drops hang straight down.
5. Add the timer: plug the lights into an outlet timer, then test before you make final adjustments.

How to Style Candle-Style Window Lights

Flameless window candles give a classic, old-fashioned glow with none of the open-flame worries. They sit right on the sill, so they are the easiest of the three styles to set up and to change.

1. Choose an odd number: groups of three or five look more natural than pairs.
2. Vary the heights: mix tall and short candles so the row has a gentle rhythm.
3. Set them back from the glass: leave a small gap so the light reflects softly in the window.
4. Turn on the timers: most battery candles have a timer setting, so they glow every evening without you thinking about it.

How to Add a Lit Wreath or Garland to Your Window

A lit wreath adds greenery as well as light, which makes the window feel finished from both inside and out. A battery-powered one keeps the look cord-free.

1. Stick the hook: press a clear adhesive hook to the glass or the top of the frame, centered over the window.
2. Check the weight: make sure the hook’s weight limit is higher than the wreath, so it stays put.
3. Hang and center: hang the wreath and adjust it until it sits level.
4. Hide the battery pack: tuck it behind the greenery and switch on the timer if it has one.

Tips for a Window That Looks Polished

• Stay in one color family: stick to warm white throughout so the window looks like one design, not a mix of strands.
• Hide the cords: run them along the frame or behind curtains and tuck the plug end near the outlet.
• Check the rating: use lights marked for indoor use inside the house, and keep strands away from curtains and heaters.
• Use timers: they keep the glow consistent and save you from switching things on every night.
• Keep spare batteries on hand: candles and wreaths run on them, and they tend to run out right when you want the lights on.

Putting the Styles Together

If you want a fuller window, layer the styles. Hang icicle lights across the top, set a few candles on the sill, and let a small wreath hang in the center of one pane. Keep the light color matching, and let one style lead so the window does not feel busy.

Ready to Keep Decorating for Christmas?

If you are planning the rest of the room, a burgundy and tartan Christmas look pairs nicely with warm window light, and a few honeycomb paper bells are a simple craft to hang near the glass.