Christmas Lights

In one line: Christmas lighting splits into three jobs — outline the house (icicle bars and string runs), dress the windows (curtains), or make one focal point (motifs, trees, marquee signs).

Everything here is LED, with solar, USB, battery and plug-in versions where listed on each product.

Pick by job

• Outline an eave or fascia: icicle & cascade bars with mixed-length drops.
• Dress a window or doorway: curtain lights that fall vertically.
• One focal point: motif lights — Santa, reindeer, star-topped trees, snowglobes.
• Wrap a hedge or trunk: string and fairy lights.

Before the season

Check every run in October, not December: uncoil, plug in, and replace anything that flickers. Fixings — clips, hooks, cable ties — are not included with most sets, so buy them with the lights.

Setup detail: how to hang icicle lights.