How to Hang Christmas Lights on Gutters: 4 Methods to Try

Hanging Christmas lights in a beautiful holiday array is an art that can take years of practice to master. Or, you can use modern tools and various types of Christmas lights to learn how to hang Christmas lights on gutters and achieve excellent results. Light clips and lights come in several varieties, and many work with or without gutter guards. Let’s dive into how to hang Christmas lights on gutters like a pro.

Why Do I Have to Use Christmas Light Clips?

Using nails, screws, staples, and wire clothes hangers to install Christmas lighting is possible. However, these items leave scars on your home and could damage and compromise roofing materials. Christmas light clips and hooks come in several varieties, are reusable from year to year, and are quick and easy to use. 

So, while you don't technically have to use them, they can make holiday decorating faster and more enjoyable than other methods. Keep in mind that hiring a local holiday decorator can help you deck out your house for the holidays without the hassle of purchasing supplies and completing the installation.

Types of Christmas Light Clips

Several types of Christmas light clips are readily available, so you can choose depending on how you plan to decorate.

• Gutter hooks: These are simple pieces of bent wire or plastic that hang on the edge of your gutters and hold lights in place. Most types work well with mesh gutter guards in place. 

• Gutter clips: This variety is similar to gutter hooks, can be metal or plastic, and clip onto gutters instead of hanging from them. Some clips are compatible with gutter guards.

• Shingle clips: This type slides under asphalt shingles and holds Christmas decoration bulbs slightly over the roof or gutters.

• Universal clips: This variety has options for sliding under shingles, hanging from, or clipping to gutters and often works with gutter guards. 

• Ladderless clips: These clips allow you to work from the ground to install your lights. These clips thread onto a long pole and allow placement without a ladder.

When to Hang Christmas Lights on Gutters

For the best results when hanging Christmas lights, choose a day that's dry and relatively warm, regardless of the method you choose. Waiting until cold weather sets in can make the task less enjoyable and become dangerous if fingers and toes get too cold or you feel forced to rush the job.

How to Hang Christmas Lights on Gutters

There are several effective ways to hang a beautiful Christmas light display using one or all of the following methods. Be sure to follow ladder safety guidelines to protect yourself.

1. Use a Ladder and Light Clips

Standard Christmas light clips come in various configurations. A ladder is the most straightforward way to reach the gutters or roof edge. Remember to never rest an extension ladder against the gutters, but use a stand-off or stabilizer to keep the ladder clear of the gutters. 

The simplest way to use this method is to install the clips onto a light strand before getting on the ladder. Use one clip per bulb. Start at one end of the roof line and install the first couple of clips within arm's length on one side of the ladder without leaning past its edge. Climb down, move the ladder a couple of feet, climb up, and repeat.

Depending on the type of clip you're using, clip or hang the devices from the gutter, gutter guard, or from under the shingles. If you're using light hooks, carry up a pocketful of hooks and the starting end of the light strand and work your way down the roof line, placing a hook and threading the lights onto it. 

2. Use Ladderless Light Clips

Ladderless clips are plastic Christmas light clips that screw onto the end of a threaded pole, such as a broom handle or dedicated decorating pole. To use them, install the clips onto the light strand before starting.

Screw the pole into one clip, raise the pole, clip, and part of the light string to the gutter or shingles at one end of the roof line, attach the clip to the gutter or shingles, unscrew the pole, and bring it down to do the next clip. Continue across the roof line using one clip per bulb. 

3. Use Self-Adhesive Clips or Hooks

Self-adhesive Christmas light clips and hooks stick to many surfaces, including the front or underside of metal or vinyl gutters, soffit material under the house's eaves, and siding materials.

Relying on adhesive instead of hooking to something rigid allows extra creativity when decorating. Use self-adhesive clips and hooks as you would with similar ones made for gutters and shingles by installing them to the strands first or carrying several and stringing the lights to them as you go. 

4. Hang Christmas Lights with Gutter Guards

Mesh-type gutter guards aren't usually a problem with most gutter clips and hooks. However, gutter guards with smaller holes or different configurations can pose a challenge. Look for Christmas light clips for your brand of gutter guards, or try universal clips or hooks made for use with gutter guards in place. 

How to Hang Christmas Lights Along Gutter Peaks

It can be tricky to successfully hang decorative lights along your gutter peaks. Try these installation tips:

• Gutter clips: Use a gutter clip to connect the light to the gutter’s outer edge.

• Shingle clips: To avoid clipping onto the gutters, try using a shingle clip to attach the lights along the gutter peak.

• Adhesive clips: Consider adding an adhesive clip to the front-facing part of the gutter and stringing lights through it.

Tips for Hanging Christmas Lights on Gutters

While it takes some practice to become proficient at installing Christmas lights on gutters, a few tips can help speed up the learning curve and keep you safe.

• Use proper ladder safety, such as never leaning over the edge of the ladder and only using ladders on level and solid ground or surfaces.

• Use a ladder stand-off or stabilizer to hold the ladder away from gutters and provide a safer ladder experience without damaging the home. 

• Ensure the use of exterior-grade extension cords and lights when installing lights outdoors.

• Plug all exterior decorations into a GFCI outlet. 

• Never get on the roof to install lights, especially when the roof is wet or snow-covered. 

• Carry a few extra clips or hooks in a pocket to replace any that break while installing

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Installing your Christmas lights as a DIY project can be rewarding and fun. However, hiring a local Christmas light installer is much safer and prevents injury and damage to your home. The DIY cost of the project is limited to the price of the decorations and the clips and accessories to hold them in place. On the other hand, the cost for professional Christmas light installation is between $220 and $670. However, in return for your investment, you get a professional-grade lighting job and avoid safety concerns and cold fingers and toes.