Using old Christmas lights to decorate

Decorating during the holidays is pretty straight-forward: hang some tinsel, put up a tree, lights everywhere. But what are you supposed to do now that the holiday decor is all put away? While you may still have your baseboard heater covers on, you probably will want some other decor as well. Christmas lights are a very easy way to decorate your home all year long. Here are 10 ways you can use these lights in your regular, everyday decorating.

• Dixie Cup Lights
  Get a string of lights and some Dixie cups. By cutting a small hole in the base of the cup, you can put it over each of the lights. These can now be strong on a wall or in an entryway to give a fun flare of color and lights to any area.
• Hanging light globes
  For a perfect outdoor light fixture, either make a globe or find a globe at the store made out of metal. You can spray paint it to whatever desired color you want. Then, string the lights all over it. Hang it somewhere you’ll see it plenty.
• Hanging pictures
  One way to use these lights is by attaching them inside a frame from side to side and back again. Then, get some clothes pins, and you can hang pictures, cards, or whatever you think of from them. It’s a great way to change out your images easily while highlighting some fun times in your life.
• Background for a photo
  If you are planning to have a party anytime soon or even just want something pretty for your baby’s photoshoot, hang lights on your wall (and you can include fabric if you want a specific color). It adds a lot to a photo.
• Frame the bed in a room
  One way to add some sparkle to your room (or your child’s room) is to hang lights behind the bed. Be careful with smaller children as it can be a choking hazard if they get tangled up in the cords. And make sure the cords are tucked in behind the headboard to prevent anyone from getting tangled in them.
• Light a tree
  Wrap a tree all the way through the branches in your home to keep a beautiful lighted decoration throughout the year. If using a live tree, remember you will need to unwrap it and redo it after a couple of months if the branches start getting cut off by the strand of light.
• Rope carpet
  Make your own carpet by crocheting around the strand of lights. This makes a beautiful rug.
• Light-up particle board
  For a great background, room decoration, or outdoor decoration, get some particle board, poke holes, and poke the lights through to shine on the other side. This looks especially good on a darker particle board because it gives the appearance of the night sky.
• Wine glass centerpieces
  By stuffing a strand of lights into an old wine bottle, you create a beautiful table piece that can beb used year round when entertaining guests.
• Yearlong light-up wreath
  You might already have a wreath during the off-season, but why not light it up with some beautiful Christmas lights in order to give it a glow all year long? It really makes an impact when people arrive at your home to find the beautiful lights.

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