How to Make Custom Christmas Lights

Christmas Light Customization Options

There's nothing like a beautiful Christmas light display accented with zip tied clumps of electrical wire and mangled extension cords. Everyone's display needs are different and sometimes the best answer for the cleanest display is to customize your Christmas lights. But...not all Christmas lights can or should be customized. So, what do you do?

Christmas Lights NOT to Customize

While electrically savvy DIY'ers can tackle most basic wiring fixes, it is recommended that Christmas mini light strings that are damaged be replaced rather than repaired. Common mini light strings often include bulbs that are hardwired (not replaceable) and they use a three-wire configuration where the extra wiring is specially designed for the Christmas lights. Consult an electrician if attempting to fix or customize wiring like this because it is not advisable.

Christmas Lights THAT CAN BE Customized

Light stringers where bulbs can be replaced are commonly used for C7 and C9 Christmas bulb displays. The light stringers use a two-wire configuration only and the stringers can be bought in up to 1,000 ft spools, which is what professional installers often use to create custom length light runs. For homes that feature roof lines with extra peaks, windows, dormers and other architectural features that look good when outlined with Christmas lights, customizing the lengths you need can not only look much better, but it can be easier to install. It can also reduce the need for extra extension cords or leaving live open sockets in areas of the display you don't want bulbs to be seen. It also eliminates any excess wiring at the end of your runs.

Splicing Means Different Things to Different People

Basic electrical wiring can often be cut. The wire coating can be stripped, exposing the copper wire within it and then that wiring can be connected to a corresponding wire using any number of techniques like twist-on wire connectors, butt/splice connectors or making a permanent connection with solder. These connections can be further protected by covering them in electrical tape, liquid tape or heat shrink tubing. The process for doing this once for a fix is pretty straightforward, but if you need custom Christmas lights that require numerous splice connections it can be overly time consuming and not advisable. Luckily, there's a much faster way of creating custom Christmas lights using zip plugs, zip cord and zip sockets.

The Power of Zip Plug Connections

With zip plugs, zip cord and electrical accessories you can create custom lighting configurations tailored to your home's unique design. The result is a polished Christmas light display with clean lines and no extra mess of wires or unused sockets. When it comes to light wires, there are two options for customization. Before you decide which method to use, we recommend drawing a basic sketch of your house or the area you plan to light and adding exact measurements to the sketch. Planning your light display before making a purchase will save you from a lot of potential roadblocks during installation.

Option 1: Purchase commercial light strings or spools with the sockets already attached in popular increments like 6, 12 & 18 inch bulb spacing. These wires can then be cut wherever you want the light run to end. Then you'll add either a male or female zip plug to the cut end to finish it off.

Option 2: Purchase bulk wire and sockets separately. Then install zip sockets at any spacing intervals you like along the wire. You can either end the wire with a socket or add a male or female zip plug to the end as needed.

Commercial Light Spool with Sockets

Bulk Electrical Wire

Zip Plugs & Sockets

How to Install Zip Plugs on a Wire

Zip plugs feature a slide-off backing that lets you lay electrical cord inside. When you slide the backing on again, this presses the cord down onto the "vampire teeth" inside of the plug, creating a connection with the electrical current. The steps below will show you how to install these types of plugs on a wire. For information on which zip plugs and wires you should use for your project, visit our Wiring Accessories guide.

How to Create Custom Christmas Lights with Zip Plugs

How to Install Zip Plugs on a Wire

Installing Male and Female Zip Plugs

Unplug anything you are going to be working with.
Slide the backing off of your zip plug.
Inside of the plug you'll see two "vampire teeth" set down into the channel that runs along the length of the plug. These teeth bite into the cord when the plug is assembled to connect to electric current. Note that these teeth are not aligned. One of them is connected (through the plug) to the wide blade or receptacle; the other to the narrow. This is important.
Now look closely at your electrical cord. You'll note that it's actually two wires side by side. One wire has a slightly raised "rib" along one side (you may have to feel for it). This is the "neutral" wire which connects to the wide blade or receptacle of your plug. This maintains the polarization of the electrical current.
Using a sharp knife or other cutting tool, gently split the end of your zip cord to separate the two wires, pulling them apart a half inch.
Align the ribbed wire with the "vampire tooth" that's connected to the wide blade or receptacle of your plug, press the end of the electrical cord down into the "well" on one end of the plug. Note that the plastic divider down in the well should separate the split ends of your electrical cord.
Bend the wire over and lay it into the channel that runs the length of your plug. This will lay the electrical cord across the vampire teeth (again, make sure the ribbed wire is laying on the tooth that's connected to the wide blade or receptacle). You may have to press it in a bit with your finger.
Slide the backing onto the plug again. Some pressure will be needed to slide the plug in place and you may even need to use pliers. As you slide the backing on, it will press the electrical cord firmly onto the vampire teeth, securing the electrical connection.

Zip Plug Interior

Cut & Split Wire

Lay Electrical Wire in Channel

Slide Cover onto Zip Plug

Installing Male & Female Zip Plugs

1) Unplug anything you are going to be working with.

2) Slide the backing off of your zip plug.

3) Inside of the plug you'll see two "vampire teeth" set down into the channel that runs along the length of the plug. These teeth bite into the cord when the plug is assembled to connect to electric current. Note that these teeth are not aligned. One of them is connected (through the plug) to the wide blade or receptacle; the other to the narrow. This is important.

Zip Plug Interior

4) Now look closely at your electrical cord. You'll note that it's actually two wires side by side. One wire has a slightly raised "rib" along one side (you may have to feel for it). This is the "neutral" wire which connects to the wide blade or receptacle of your plug. This maintains the polarization of the electrical current.

5) Using a sharp knife or other cutting tool, gently split the end of your zip cord to separate the two wires, pulling them apart a half inch.

Cut & Split Wire

6) Align the ribbed wire with the "vampire tooth" that's connected to the wide blade or receptacle of your plug, press the end of the electrical cord down into the "well" on one end of the plug. Note that the plastic divider down in the well should separate the split ends of your electrical cord.

7) Bend the wire over and lay it into the channel that runs the length of your plug. This will lay the electrical cord across the vampire teeth (again, make sure the ribbed wire is laying on the tooth that's connected to the wide blade or receptacle). You may have to press it in a bit with your finger.

Lay Wire into Plug Channel

8) Slide the backing onto the plug again. Some pressure will be needed to slide the plug in place and you may even need to use pliers. As you slide the backing on, it will press the electrical cord firmly onto the vampire teeth, securing the electrical connection.

Slide Cover onto Zip Plug

How to Install Zip Sockets

Zip sockets arrive in two pieces, a socket and a backing, which you connect to attach to your electrical wire. The installation process is the same whether you are using E12 or E17 size sockets.

Make sure nothing you're working with is plugged in.
At the back of the socket you'll see two "vampire teeth" set down into the channel.These teeth bite into the wire when the socket is assembled to connect to electric current. Note that these teeth are not aligned. One of them is connected to a metal tab at the bottom of the socket. The other is connected (through the socket) to a metal tab running up the side of the socket. This is important.
Now look closely at your electrical cord. You'll note that it's actually two wires side by side. One wire has a slightly raised "rib" along one side. This is the "neutral" wire. It will connect to the vampire tooth that's connected to the metal tab on the side of your socket and maintain the polarization of the electrical current.
Lay your electrical cord into the channel on the back of the socket. This will lay the electrical cord across the vampire teeth. Make sure the ribbed wire is laying on the tooth that's connected to the side of the socket.
Set the back on the socket. Note that both the socket and the backing have a matching "hump" on one side. Align these humps to ensure you're attaching the back the right way.
Now push the backing down onto the electrical cord firmly enough to press the cord onto the teeth in the socket. You may want to use pliers, or set the socket down and press the backing on with a hard, flat item like a piece of wood. Apply gentle force so as not to damage the socket, and make sure the backing is seated firmly all the way around.

Zip Socket Interior

Lay Wire into Socket Channel

Secure Cap onto Socket

Zip Socket Installed

Zip sockets arrive in two pieces, a socket and a backing, which you connect to attach to your electrical wire. The installation process is the same whether you are using E12 or E17 size sockets.

1) Make sure nothing you're working with is plugged in.

2) At the back of the socket you'll see two "vampire teeth" set down into the channel.These teeth bite into the wire when the socket is assembled to connect to electric current. Note that these teeth are not aligned. One of them is connected to a metal tab at the bottom of the socket. The other is connected (through the socket) to a metal tab running up the side of the socket. This is important.

Zip Socket Interior

3) Now look closely at your electrical cord. You'll note that it's actually two wires side by side. One wire has a slightly raised "rib" along one side. This is the "neutral" wire. It will connect to the vampire tooth that's connected to the metal tab on the side of your socket and maintain the polarization of the electrical current.

4) Lay your electrical cord into the channel on the back of the socket. This will lay the electrical cord across the vampire teeth. Make sure the ribbed wire is laying on the tooth that's connected to the side of the socket.

Lay Wire into Socket Channel

5) Set the back on the socket. Note that both the socket and the backing have a matching "hump" on one side. Align these humps to ensure you're attaching the back the right way.

6) Now push the backing down onto the electrical cord firmly enough to press the cord onto the teeth in the socket. You may want to use pliers, or set the socket down and press the backing on with a hard, flat item like a piece of wood. Apply gentle force so as not to damage the socket, and make sure the backing is seated firmly all the way around.

Secure Cap onto Socket

Zip Socket Installed