How to Make Your Christmas Lights Flash to Music

Christmas lights are relatively inexpensive and very easy to come by. Nearly every home has at least one strand of Christmas lights. They do not always have to be for Christmas and they can, in fact, be used as party lights. Having lights just hanging around is not much fun but when you can make them flesh to your selected music they become much more exciting and this article will show you how.

Step 1 - Prepping the Christmas Lights

Your Christmas lights are the bread and butter of this operation because, depending on the kind of lights you are using, they will determine how the final product will look. You can use your standard bulb lights but you can also use net lighting if you so choose. You can even link several together for an interesting display. For the purpose of this project you will use a simple strand of bulb lights. The color is completely up to you. Use your scissors and remove both ends of the lights. You will have no need for a plug or an extra outlet. Count out 10 lights and cut the Christmas lights at that spot. You can make yours a longer length if you like. Spread the wires apart and then strip the casing of the wires. Wrap one end in electrical tape. Make sure that the wires are completely covered.

Step 2 - Connecting the Christmas Lights

This is completely safe to your equipment. Even though the Christmas lights were not meant for this use (and neither was your stereo) it is basically all the same. The lights turn on from electrical current but how they get that current is not all that important. For now you can set the Christmas lights off to the side. Get out the stereo you are planning to use. It needs an A and a B connector so look at the back of your unit. If your stereo has these connections then you may continue; otherwise you will have to obtain one. Unscrew the small nut that is used to hold wires in place on the stereo. You may have switches or a slider. Place one of the stripped wires in the A connector and the remaining wire in the B connector. Tighten the caps to secure the Christmas lights.

Step 3 - Finishing Up and Making the Christmas Lights Flash

Now, you need a place to put the lights. You can hang the strands any where you like. You could put them in your bedroom windows, around your front door or hanging over a hallway arch. It is really up to you. When your lights are hung where you want them you can insert your chosen music selection in to the stereo. When you turn the system on you are generating power to the Christmas lights. Hit the play button to start the music and turn up the volume. The lights will begin to flicker to the music.