No Outside Outlets For Christmas Lights? (7 Great Solutions)
Feeling a bit bummed because you don’t have any outdoor outlets for your Christmas lights?
Don’t let that dim your holiday spirit! I’ve got some great news for you:
There are plenty of cool ways to light up your home for the holidays without outdoor outlets!
In this post, I’ll share seven great ideas. From quick fixes to long-term solutions, I’ve got something for every home and budget!
#1 Light Socket Adapters
If you have no outside outlets for Christmas lights, the best solution is a light socket adapter.
These are pretty nifty devices that you can screw into your existing outdoor light fixtures. They basically turn your light socket into a power source for your Christmas lights.
You just screw it in, and voila – you’ve got an outlet right where you need it.
It’s super handy for porch lights or garage lights.
And the cool thing is, you can still use the original light bulb too.
Just make sure you get one that’s meant for outdoor use and can handle the power of both your regular bulb and the Christmas lights.
And of course, don’t overload it – safety first, right?
Also Read: Christmas Lights Keep Blowing Fuse
#2 Extension Cords
Now, if you’ve got a garage, you’re in luck. Most garages have electrical outlets, and you can use these to power your outdoor lights.
Get yourself a good, long extension cord – make sure it’s the outdoor-rated kind.
Then, run it along the walls of your garage to keep it out of the way. When you get to the garage door, just run it along one side of the door opening.
Don’t worry about closing the door on it – most garage doors have little gaps and a rubber thing at the bottom, so the cord will be fine.
If you absolutely have to use a window for your cord, make sure to use some foam weatherstripping or one of those special cord pass-through insulators.
It’ll keep your heating bill from going through the roof.
#3 Outdoor Wall Lantern With Power Outlet
Here’s another cool option – you get an outdoor wall lantern that has a built-in power outlet.
These cool fixtures do double duty: they light up your outdoor space and give you a handy spot to plug in your Christmas lights.
When you’re picking a spot for these, think about where you’ll want your lights. They’re super useful near doorways, on patios, or along the front of your house.
But just make sure you get a professional electrician to install them.
They can make sure everything’s wired up properly and meets all the local building codes.
#4 Small Portable Power Station
Another solution for no outside outlets for Christmas lights, is a small portable power station..
Portable power stations are basically large, rechargeable batteries with multiple outlets to power various electronic devices. Think of them as a versatile power bank on steroids.
Also Read: Patio Atmosphere With Outdoor Lighting
You just charge them up by plugging them into a wall outlet inside your house – it usually takes about six hours.
Some of them can even be charged in your car or with a solar panel, which is pretty cool.
Once it’s charged up, you just take it outside and plug your lights right into it. If you need to cover more ground, you can use an extension cord with it too.
It’s great because you can put lights pretty much anywhere you want, not just near outlets.
Just remember to bring the power station inside or cover it up when you’re not using it – you don’t want it getting damaged by the weather.
#5 Solar-Powered Lights
If you’re into eco-friendly stuff, you might want to check out solar-powered Christmas lights.
These have little solar panels that charge up during the day, and then the lights come on at night.
They’re super easy to set up because you don’t need to worry about plugging them in anywhere.
You can put them wherever you want, as long as the spot gets enough sunlight.
Now, I’ll be honest – they might not be quite as bright as regular electric lights.
But solar-powered lights have a lot going for them. They’re good for the environment, can save you money in the long run, and you can put them pretty much anywhere around your yard.
When you’re shopping for these, pay attention to how long the battery lasts, how bright the lights are, and how well the panel charges up.
Also Read: Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Every Home Style
#6 Battery-Operated Lights
Another way to go cord-free is with battery-operated Christmas lights.
These come in all sorts of styles, and they run on regular batteries or rechargeable packs.
You can put them pretty much anywhere, which is great for spots that are far from power outlets or where cords would be a hassle or a safety risk.
That said, you’ll still need to change or recharge the batteries now and then
But IMHO not having to deal with electrical cords can be really convenient and safer too.
When you’re picking out battery-operated lights, check how long the batteries last, how bright the lights are, and whether they have cool features like timers or remote controls to make them easier to use.
#7 Install An Outdoor Outlet
Now, if you’re looking for a more permanent solution, you might want to think about installing some outdoor outlets.
I know, it sounds like a big job, and it can cost around $150 – $260. But once it’s done, you’ll have power wherever you need it, not just for Christmas lights but for all sorts of outdoor stuff.
You’ll definitely want to get a professional electrician to do this – it’s not really a DIY kind of thing.
They’ll make sure everything’s installed properly and follow all the building and safety codes.
They can also help you figure out the best spots for outdoor outlets based on how you usually use them and how your property is laid out.
Bottom Line
So there you have it – seven different ways to light up your house, even if you have no outside outlets for Christmas lights.
I’d recommend going with something simple like a light socket adapter or an extension cord, but if you are ok with spending a bit more, do try out the other ideas.
Do not let an outlet stop you from getting into the holiday spirit!
