DIY Christmas Light Balls

These DIY Christmas light balls are easy to make, they’re infinitely customizable, and they’re much cheaper than the ones sold in stores!

I learn new things every single day living with my babes. In this ever-evolving world of e-commerce and online living, I’d be a Paleolithic pinhead if it weren’t for her.

Like the grandparents from the 80s and 90s who lived in time capsules from the 50s and 60s, I’d probably have been content to muddle along in my cargo shorts and baseball cap with the same sheets on my bed and “art” on my walls until my hair fell out and my beard turned white.

The modern world has always surrounded me, but I often have blinders on when it comes to what’s in it, what people are buying, and what trends are on point.

I’d still be wearing those wide-leg jeans from the 90s if left to my own devices.

Anyway, all of this is to say that it should come as no surprise to learn that I’d never heard of a Christmas light ball before a few days ago.

Christmas popcorn balls, on the other hand, are something I had vast experience with back in the 70s and 80s. They’re still cool, right?

My babes showed me a picture of some Christmas light balls for sale – they looked minimalist and not very inviting. Then I saw the prices and understood for the thousandth time that humanity in general and Americans in particular apparently have more money (and credit lines) than brains.

I don’t know who buys some of this shit. I really don’t.

And of course Handan wanted some.

Not one.

Not two.

Some.

But to her credit, she didn’t want those spartan glowing wire orbs. She wanted them a little more gussied up.

Okay, I could cotton to that. But how? Where does one purchase spartan wire orbs for such a craft?

And then I learned another thing.

There exists in this wonderful world of ours something called a 3D wreath form.

Freaking 3D.

Because apparently 2D wreaths are for chumps.

And the best part is Dollar Tree sells these magical 3D wreath forms in two sizes!

Armed now with the knowledge and the materials needed to create my very own Christmas light balls for my babes, I set out to do just that.

Christmas Light Balls VIDEO Tutorial

Watch our short and fun video below for an overview of these light balls before you read the detailed step-by-step tutorial.

DIY Christmas Light Balls Tutorial

Step 1 – Assemble the 3D wreath form

This has to be one of the best deals for $1.25. Or maybe I’m just impressed because it’s 3D. I don’t know.

Either way, it’s easy to assemble. The wreath form comes with two metal disks that hold the spherical shape.

Just open ‘er up and wrap the disks.

Imagine the possibilities!

Step 2 – Paint (or don’t)

I painted my orbs antique brass, but you can certainly skip this step to save time, money and paint fumes.

Step 3 – Add lights

When dry, I added string lights – 2 sets of 7.5-ft for the small orbs and 2 sets of 10-ft for the large ones. I wrapped them making sure to keep the battery packs tucked close to one end.

Step 4 – Adorn

Or don’t. You can hang your light ball as-is. It may look a little sparse, but hey, so are the ones sold in stores!

But if you want to make your ancestors proud, toss some greenery in there! Throw some stars at the problem! How ’bout a bird? Everybody likes birds, right?

These are very versatile. You can hang these from small shepherd hooks to create a magical pathway, you can hang them from an archway with some garland, you can hang them from trees, or you can just plop them on a table like I did and call it a day.