Get this Look: C9 Warm White and C9 Red LED Bulbs with Warm White Light Strings
We love this classic red and white look for Christmas. This project alternates red and white C9 LED bulbs one-to-one. To personalize the color scheme, try combinations like two white to two red, one white to two red, or your own favorite pattern.
After outlining the house, the columns and wreaths are lit with 5mm warm white light strings, tying everything together with a soft, inviting glow.
The only thing we might add to this project would be extra LED bulbs and cord plus stakes to outline the sidewalk. Outlining the roof ridges would also ramp this display up to an even higher level.
You can easily go all white LED (pure, warm, or natural), or recreate this look with traditional glass C9 bulbs if you love that vintage glow.
Suggested Materials
Measure your home to confirm how many of each bulb you’ll need. This count includes windows. If you add the optional materials below, be sure to adjust your bulb count and cord length accordingly.
- 150 C9 LED Warm White Bulbs (link goes to all warm white bulbs) or choose your favorite color C9 bulb .
- 150 C9 LED Red Bulbs
- 3 × 100-foot C9 cords , 12" spacing, green wire
- 300 clips or hooks that work with C7/C9 bulbs and cords
- Male Gilbert plugs and female plugs if you use that method of wire termination
- 10 sets of warm white LED mini lights — choose your favorite shape. M5, 5mm, and G12 are all very popular.
Optional Additional Materials
Adding these extras will increase the number of bulbs required, so keep track of how many additional bulbs and how much extra cord you’ll need.
- Christmas light stakes for outlining sidewalks and driveways
- Timer(s) to automate on/off times
- Extension cords
- Ridge Row clips for outlining roof peaks
If you find that you need more than 400 feet of cord, it might be more economical to purchase a 500-foot spool of cord. Start at our general C9 cords page to see all the choices.
Installation Tips
- Don’t run 18 AWG wire longer than 250 feet regardless of the type of bulb used. Keep an eye on total wattage if using incandescent bulbs and don’t exceed 1000 watts per household breaker.
- Purchase a clip or stake for every bulb to ensure a sharp, tight fit along the roofline and sidewalks.
- Install lights around windows with surface-mount clips, painter’s tape, or cup hooks.
- Install the bulbs on the ground and test the sets before venturing up on a ladder.
- Consider hiring an off-season roofing company to install the lights if you are concerned about heights.
- Be sure to use ladders and scaffolding safely.
Here is some additional reading as you plan your project: