Lighted Christmas Packages: How to Make Gifts That Glow
Lighted Christmas Packages: How to Make Gifts That Glow
Lighted Christmas packages are one of those ideas that sounds complicated and is actually simple. You take a wrapped gift, you add a small light (a fairy light, a tea light, or a lighted bow), and suddenly the gift becomes part of the holiday decor. It glows on the mantel, it glows under the tree, and it glows on the gift table at a party. The problem is that most people either skip the idea (they think it’s too complicated) or do it wrong (they use real candles or hot lights that are a fire hazard). The right approach is in the middle. You use battery-operated LED lights, you place them safely, and you get a beautiful glowing gift without the risk.
Lighted Christmas packages are gifts wrapped with integrated lighting, typically using battery-operated LED fairy lights, lighted bows, or illuminated gift toppers. The best lighted packages are safe, beautiful, and easy to assemble. The worst use real candles, hot lights, or poorly placed batteries that create a fire hazard.
The right lighted Christmas package is safe, beautiful, and easy to make. Here’s how to do it, what to buy, and what to skip.
Types of Lights for Christmas Packages
Battery-Operated Fairy Lights
Battery-operated fairy lights are the most popular and versatile option for lighted packages. They’re small, flexible, and safe.
What to look for:
- LED lights (cool to the touch, no fire risk)
- A battery pack that’s small and concealable (AA or AAA, or a coin cell)
- A wire that’s flexible and easy to shape (copper or silver)
- A warm white or cool white color (matches any wrapping paper)
- A timer function (6 hours on, 18 hours off, saves battery)
- A set of 10 to 30 lights (enough for one package)
- A waterproof option (if the package might get damp)
What to skip:
- Incandescent lights (they get hot)
- Lights with a large battery pack (hard to conceal)
- Lights without a timer (batteries die quickly)
- Lights with a stiff wire (hard to shape)
Price range: $5 to $15 for a set of 1 to 3 strings.
Lighted Bows
Lighted bows are pre-made bows with integrated LED lights. They’re the easiest option because the light and the bow are one piece.
What to look for:
- A bow with integrated LED lights (cool to the touch)
- A battery pack that’s concealed in the bow
- A timer function (saves battery)
- A size that’s proportional to the package (4 to 8 inches)
- A color that matches your wrapping paper (red, gold, silver, or white)
- An adhesive backing or a ribbon for attaching
What to skip:
- Bows with incandescent lights (they get hot)
- Bows without a timer (batteries die quickly)
- Bows that are too large or too small for the package
Price range: $8 to $20 per bow.
LED Tea Lights
LED tea lights are small, flat lights that can be placed inside or under a package. They’re the simplest option.
What to look for:
- LED lights (cool to the touch, no fire risk)
- A realistic flicker (not a steady glow)
- A battery that lasts at least 48 hours
- A set of 12 to 24 (enough for multiple packages)
- a warm white color
What to skip:
- Real candles (fire hazard)
- LED tea lights with a short battery life
- Tea lights that are too bright (they look harsh)
Price range: $8 to $15 for a set of 12 to 24.
Lighted Gift Toppers
Lighted gift toppers are decorative toppers (stars, snowflakes, or ornaments) with integrated LED lights. They’re the most decorative option.
What to look for:
- A topper with integrated LED lights (cool to the touch)
- A battery pack that’s concealed or small
- A timer function (saves battery)
- A design that matches your wrapping paper
- An adhesive backing or a ribbon for attaching
What to skip:
- Toppers with incandescent lights (they get hot)
- Toppers without a timer (batteries die quickly)
- Toppers that are too large for the package
Price range: $10 to $25 per topper.
How to Make a Lighted Christmas Package
The Fairy Light Wrap
The fairy light wrap is the most popular and versatile way to light a package. You wrap a string of fairy lights around or on top of a wrapped gift.
How to do it:
- Wrap the gift as you normally would
- Choose a string of battery-operated fairy lights (10 to 30 lights)
- Place the battery pack on top of the package, near the center
- Wrap the light string around the package (horizontally or in a spiral)
- Secure the lights with small pieces of clear tape
- Add a ribbon or a bow over the battery pack to conceal it
- Turn on the lights (or set the timer)
Tip: Choose a warm white light for a traditional look or a cool white for a modern look.
The Lighted Bow
The lighted bow is the easiest way to light a package. You attach a pre-made lighted bow to the top of a wrapped gift.
How to do it:
- Wrap the gift as you normally would
- Choose a lighted bow (4 to 8 inches)
- Attach the bow to the top of the package (use the adhesive backing or a ribbon)
- Conceal the battery pack under the bow
- Turn on the bow (or set the timer)
Tip: Choose a bow color that matches your wrapping paper.
The Glowing Interior
The glowing interior is the way to light a package from the inside. You place a light inside a translucent or open-top box.
How to do it:
- Choose a translucent box (clear, frosted, or colored)
- Place the gift inside the box
- Place a battery-operated tea light or fairy light inside the box, next to the gift
- Close the box (if it has a lid)
- Turn on the light
Tip: Choose a box that’s translucent enough to let the light glow through.
The Lighted Stack
The lighted stack is the way to light a group of packages. You stack 3 to 5 packages and wrap a single string of fairy lights around the entire stack.
How to do it:
- Wrap 3 to 5 gifts in a coordinated paper
- Stack the packages (largest at the bottom, smallest at the top)
- Choose a string of 30 to 50 battery-operated fairy lights
- Place the battery pack at the back of the stack
- Wrap the light string around the stack (in a spiral)
- Secure the lights with small pieces of clear tape
- Turn on the lights (or set the timer)
Tip: This is a beautiful display for under the tree or on a mantel.
Safety Tips for Lighted Christmas Packages
Use LED lights only. LED lights are cool to the touch and have no fire risk. Never use real candles or incandescent lights on or near wrapping paper.
Conceal the battery pack. The battery pack should be concealed under a bow, a ribbon, or a piece of wrapping paper. Don’t leave it exposed.
Use the timer function. If your lights have a timer, use it. This saves battery and prevents the lights from running all night.
Don’t overload the package. One string of 10 to 30 lights is enough for a single package. More than that is overkill and hard to manage.
Keep the package dry. If the package might get damp (outside, in a garage), choose waterproof lights.
Turn off the lights when you’re not around. Even LED lights use battery power. Turn them off when you’re not in the room to extend battery life.
What to Skip Entirely
Real candles. Never use a real candle on or near a wrapped gift. Wrapping paper, ribbon, and tissue paper are highly flammable. Use LED lights only.
Incandescent lights. Incandescent lights get hot and are a fire risk near wrapping paper. Use LED lights only.
Lights with a large battery pack. A large battery pack is hard to conceal and makes the package look bulky. Choose lights with a small, flat battery pack.
Lights without a timer. Lights without a timer will run until the battery dies. Choose lights with a timer (6 hours on, 18 hours off).
Too many lights. One string of 10 to 30 lights is enough for a single package. More than that is overkill and hard to manage.
Lights that are too bright. A soft, warm glow is more elegant than a harsh, bright light. Choose warm white LED lights.
FAQ
How do I make a lighted Christmas package? Wrap the gift as you normally would. Choose a string of battery-operated LED fairy lights (10 to 30 lights). Place the battery pack on top of the package. Wrap the light string around the package. Secure with clear tape. Add a ribbon or bow to conceal the battery pack. Turn on the lights.
What lights are safe for Christmas packages? Battery-operated LED lights are the only safe option. They’re cool to the touch, have no fire risk, and are easy to conceal. Never use real candles or incandescent lights on or near wrapping paper.
Where can I buy lights for Christmas packages? You can buy battery-operated fairy lights, lighted bows, LED tea lights, and lighted gift toppers on Amazon, at craft stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby), at department stores (Target, Walmart), and at dollar stores. Choose LED lights with a timer function.
How much do lights for Christmas packages cost? Battery-operated fairy lights cost $5 to $15 for a set of 1 to 3 strings. Lighted bows cost $8 to $20 each. LED tea lights cost $8 to $15 for a set of 12 to 24. Lighted gift toppers cost $10 to $25 each.
Can I use real candles on Christmas packages? No. Never use real candles on or near wrapped gifts. Wrapping paper, ribbon, and tissue paper are highly flammable. Use battery-operated LED lights only. They’re cool to the touch and have no fire risk.
How long do the batteries last in lighted Christmas packages? With a timer function (6 hours on, 18 hours off), batteries typically last 5 to 7 days. Without a timer, batteries last 1 to 2 days. Choose lights with a timer to extend battery life.
How do I conceal the battery pack on a lighted package? Place the battery pack on top of the package, near the center. Wrap the light string around the package. Add a ribbon or a bow over the battery pack to conceal it. Choose lights with a small, flat battery pack for easier concealment.
References
- Amazon. “Battery Operated Fairy Lights.” Check on Amazon
- The Spruce. “Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas.” https://www.thespruce.com/christmas-gift-wrapping-ideas-1358066
- Martha Stewart. “Christmas Gift Wrapping.” https://www.marthastewart.com/275489/christmas-gift-wrapping
