Always on the lookout for different ways to use Christmas lights, we couldn’t resist trying a hula hoop chandelier.

Since so many of our celebrations with lights involve patriotic holidays, we chose to make this project red, white, and blue. 

Materials

• red, white, and, blue icicle lights
• clear packing tape
• twine or jute
• any color hula hoop
• extension cord

Hula hoops are available in big box stores and dollar stores. We found ours for a few dollars.

Test the icicle lights by plugging them into an outlet before installing them on the hoop.

Attach the lights to the hula hoop with clear packing tape applied every few inches.  

Packing tape easily holds the lights on the plastic hoop.

Alternatively, if you want to change the color of the hoop, using colorful duct tape is a great alternative to clear packing tape.

Continue taping the lights around the hoop until you reach the plug, leaving a bit of wiring free between the hoop chandelier and male plug to make plugging in the icicle light set easier in the final installation.

The chandelier makes an impact installed under a tree where electricity was readily available. A brown or green extension cord might be required for this part of the project.

Attaching 4 3-foot lengths of twine at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 positions on the hula hoop with slip knots, the ends are gathered in a knot and simply hung the on a branch of the tree.

Customize the length of the twine or cord to fit your installation. Consider using a hook or nail to hang your chandelier if required.

The red, white, and blue icicle lights are perfect for a July 4th party.

Consider leaving the chandelier up for other parties during the summer. Lights always make any evening more festive.

Originally published July 4, 2017, 4:12 pm