Top Five Patio Party Lights

If you’re planning to throw a backyard party, there’s nothing to set the festive mood than patio party lights.  Here is a list of the top five party light options available online.

Commercial Strings

Long strings of incandescent bulbs that hang overhead between trees or columns, commercial strings set the mood at many weddings and even circuses.  You can purchase bulbs in a variety of colors, including purple, orange, and green, or choose to go with the traditional white.  Commercial strings cost about $80 for a 48-foot string.

Paper Shades

Similar to Chinese lanterns, paper shades are the balloons of patio party lights.  They come in different colors on a single string and can be made into chains of up to three strands.  Instead of helium and rubber to create your party atmosphere, use paper shades; at $20 per strand of 10 lights, they are affordable and fun.

Rope Lights

Make your garden feel like a movie theater by placing strings of encased rope lights along the edges of your walkway!  Rope lights come in custom lengths and can cost about $5 per three feet.

Prairie Lanterns

Spice up a classy party with a set of brass prairie lanterns, only $22 for a string of 10.  These can be hung in trees for a mysterious look, or edge your patio roof to light up your snack area.  Buy more than one strand and attach them together for continuous use across a longer stretch of patio.

Theme-shaped Strings

For the ultimate in party decorating, track down the perfect theme-shaped string lights!  From hot chili peppers to patriotic flags to wire butterflies, you can find party patio lighting to match your party’s theme.  Theme-shaped strings often run between $15 and $25 per string, and can mix and match in continuous chains if you find more than one type that you like.