• Christmas lights are suitable for more than just your tree.Christmas lights in a wreath image by palmer530 from Fotolia.com
  
  Strings of both white and colored mini Christmas lights can serve as the foundation for various holiday craft projects. Use the completed crafts to decorate your home for Christmas, either indoors or out. Strings of mini lights are available in a variety of lengths and are either electric or battery-powered.
  
  

Lighted Garlands

• Combine strings of mini lights with other elements to create a brightly shining garland for your tree, mantle or other areas of your home. Glue flat seashells, such as scallops or clams, to the base of each light bulb with household epoxy. Seashells work best with white lights; the shells provide gentle color as the light shines through them.
  
  LED mini light strands don't produce heat like their incandescent counterparts, allowing you to use a range of materials to dress up the garlands. Remove the centers from silk flowers and slide each flower over a light bulb. Paper flowers also work well. Alternatively, cut out paper holiday shapes, such as stars and bells, and attach these to each bulb.
  
  

Quick Projects

• Create quick crafts with lights to round out your holiday decor at the last minute. Stuff a strand of battery-powered lights into a glass mason jar. Add a holiday-themed ribbon to the neck of the jar, then use it to dress up a window or centerpiece.
  
  Jazz up a simple homemade wreath with a string of battery-powered lights. Wrap the light strand around a grapevine or artificial evergreen wreath and add a pretty bow, then hang it on the front door. Another option is to use a foam floral wreath. Wrap holiday ribbon around the wreath to camouflage the foam, then wind the light string around it.
  
  

Outdoor Boards

• Turn a ¼-inch thick plywood sheet into a lighted outdoor decoration. Draw a simple design on the board, such as a star. Drill holes that are just large enough to poke the light bulbs through along the lines, spacing the holes about 3 inches apart. Slip a bulb through each hole and tape or glue it in place. Once plugged in, your design lights up and is ready for display. Use foam board instead of plywood for lightweight window displays inside the home.