Lit Christmas Boxes: What to Buy, How to Use Them, and What to Skip

Lit Christmas boxes are the decorative boxes with built-in lights that glow from within. They’re the decor that adds warmth and ambiance to a room without the hassle of stringing lights. The problem is that most people either buy the cheapest lit boxes they can find (thin, dim boxes that look cheap) or skip them entirely and use regular boxes with string lights (which is more work and less polished). The right lit boxes are quality, bright, and the right size. This guide covers what to buy, how to use them, and what to skip.

Lit Christmas boxes covers the decorative holiday boxes with built-in lighting, including lighted gift boxes, illuminated decorative boxes, and LED holiday boxes. The best lit boxes are quality, bright, and durable. The worst are dim, cheap, and so flimsy that they crush.

The right lit Christmas boxes make a room feel warm and festive. Here’s what to buy, how to use them, and what to skip.

Types of Lit Christmas Boxes

Lighted Gift Boxes

Lighted gift boxes are the most common type. They’re the boxes that look like wrapped gifts with built-in lights.

What to look for:

• A quality material (sturdy plastic or wood, not thin cardboard)
• A built-in light (warm white LED, not cool white)
• A size of 8 to 16 inches (depending on the display)
• A festive design (a holiday pattern, a solid color, or a metallic finish)
• A battery-operated or plug-in option (battery is more flexible, plug-in is more reliable)
• A timer (for automatic on/off)
• A set of 3 to 5 boxes in varying sizes (for a stacked display)

What to skip:

• Boxes that are too thin (they look cheap)
• Boxes with dim lights (they don’t make an impact)
• Boxes without a timer (you have to turn them on manually)
• Boxes that are too small (they get lost)

Price range: $15 to $50 for a set of 3.

Illuminated Decorative Boxes

Illuminated decorative boxes are the premium option. They’re the boxes with high-quality lighting and a more elegant design.

What to look for:

• A quality material (wood, metal, or sturdy plastic)
• A built-in light (warm white LED, bright and even)
• A size of 10 to 20 inches
• A festive design (a holiday motif, a metallic finish, or a hand-painted design)
• A plug-in option (for reliable, long-lasting display)
• A timer
• A quality construction (the light is secure, the box is sturdy)

What to skip:

• Boxes with dim or uneven lighting
• Boxes that are too expensive (over $75 per box)
• Boxes without a timer

Price range: $25 to $75 each.

LED Holiday Boxes

LED holiday boxes are the modern, energy-efficient option. They’re the boxes with LED lights that are bright and long-lasting.

What to look for:

• A quality material (sturdy plastic or wood)
• A built-in LED light (warm white, bright, and energy-efficient)
• A size of 8 to 16 inches
• A festive design (a holiday pattern, a solid color, or a metallic finish)
• A battery-operated or plug-in option
• A timer
• A long battery life (if battery-operated, at least 100 hours)

What to skip:

• Boxes with short battery life (they die quickly)
• Boxes with dim LEDs
• Boxes that are too thin

Price range: $15 to $45 each.

Stackable Lit Boxes

Stackable lit boxes are the option for a stacked gift display. They’re the boxes that are designed to be stacked on top of each other.

What to look for:

• A set of 3 to 5 boxes in varying sizes (large, medium, small)
• A quality material (sturdy plastic or wood)
• A built-in light in each box
• A design that’s meant to be stacked (flat tops and bottoms)
• A cohesive color scheme (all boxes in the same color family)
• A timer

What to skip:

• Boxes that don’t stack well (rounded tops, uneven bottoms)
• Boxes with mismatched colors
• Boxes with dim lights

Price range: $30 to $80 for a set of 3 to 5.

Outdoor Lit Boxes

Outdoor lit boxes are the option for outdoor displays. They’re the boxes that are weather-resistant and designed for outdoor use.

What to look for:

• A quality material (weather-resistant plastic or metal)
• A built-in light (warm white LED, bright enough for outdoor use)
• A size of 12 to 24 inches
• A weather-resistant design (rated for outdoor use)
• A plug-in option (for reliable, long-lasting display)
• A timer
• A sturdy base (so it doesn’t tip over in the wind)

What to skip:

• Indoor boxes used outdoors (they’ll break)
• Boxes without a weather-resistant rating
• Boxes with dim lights (they can’t be seen outdoors)

Price range: $25 to $60 each.

How to Use Lit Christmas Boxes

On the Mantel

The mantel is the most common place for lit boxes. It’s the place where they can be seen and where they add warmth.

How to do it: Choose a set of 3 to 5 lit boxes in varying sizes. Arrange them on the mantel (largest in the back, smallest in the front). Turn them on. Set the timer.

Tip: Choose warm white lights for a cozy glow.

Under the Tree

Under the tree is the place for lit boxes that look like gifts. It’s the place where they add to the magic.

How to do it: Choose a set of 3 to 5 lighted gift boxes. Arrange them under the tree (as if they’re real gifts). Turn them on. Set the timer.

Tip: Choose boxes that match your tree’s color scheme.

On the Porch

The porch is the place for outdoor lit boxes. It’s the place where they welcome guests.

How to do it: Choose a set of 2 to 4 outdoor lit boxes. Arrange them on the porch (near the door or the steps). Plug them in. Set the timer.

Tip: Choose weather-resistant boxes for outdoor use.

As a Centerpiece

A lit box can be used as a centerpiece. It’s the decoration that makes the table feel warm.

How to do it: Choose a single lit box (10 to 12 inches). Place it in the center of the table. Turn it on. Set the timer.

Tip: Choose a low box so it doesn’t block conversation.

In a Window

A window is the place for lit boxes that are visible from both inside and outside.

How to do it: Choose 1 to 3 lit boxes. Place them in the window. Turn them on. Set the timer.

Tip: Choose boxes that are visible from the outside.

What to Skip Entirely

Boxes that are too thin. They look cheap and don’t last. Choose quality.

Boxes with dim lights. A dim light doesn’t make an impact. Choose bright lights.

Boxes without a timer. A box without a timer has to be turned on manually. Choose a box with a timer.

Indoor boxes used outdoors. Indoor boxes will break in the weather. Choose outdoor boxes for outdoor use.

Boxes that are too small. A box that’s too small gets lost. Choose the right size.

Too many boxes. 3 to 5 boxes is enough for most displays. Don’t buy more than you need.

FAQ

What are lit Christmas boxes? Lit Christmas boxes are decorative holiday boxes with built-in lights that glow from within. They come in lighted gift boxes, illuminated decorative boxes, LED holiday boxes, stackable lit boxes, and outdoor lit boxes. The best are quality, bright, and durable.

What should I look for in lit Christmas boxes? Look for a quality material (sturdy plastic or wood), a built-in warm white LED light, a size of 8 to 20 inches, a festive design, a battery-operated or plug-in option, a timer, and a set of 3 to 5 boxes in varying sizes. Choose quality over quantity.

How much do lit Christmas boxes cost? Lighted gift boxes cost $15 to $50 for a set of 3. Illuminated decorative boxes cost $25 to $75 each. LED holiday boxes cost $15 to $45 each. Stackable lit boxes cost $30 to $80 for a set of 3 to 5. Outdoor lit boxes cost $25 to $60 each.

Where can I buy lit Christmas boxes? You can buy lit Christmas boxes at Amazon (wide selection), a home goods store (HomeGoods, TJ Maxx for quality), a big box store (Target, Walmart for affordable options), a craft store (Michaels, Hobby Lobby for decorative boxes), and a hardware store (Home Depot, Lowe’s for outdoor boxes).

What should I avoid when buying lit Christmas boxes? Avoid boxes that are too thin (they look cheap), boxes with dim lights, boxes without a timer, indoor boxes used outdoors, boxes that are too small, and too many boxes (3 to 5 is enough).

How do I use lit Christmas boxes? Use them on the mantel (a set of 3 to 5, arranged largest in back), under the tree (as lighted gift boxes), on the porch (outdoor lit boxes, weather-resistant), as a centerpiece (a single low box), or in a window (1 to 3 boxes, visible from outside). Set the timer for automatic on/off.

Are battery-operated or plug-in lit boxes better? Plug-in boxes are more reliable and don’t need battery changes. Battery-operated boxes are more flexible (can be placed anywhere, no cord needed). Choose plug-in for displays near an outlet, and battery-operated for displays far from an outlet. Choose boxes with a timer in both cases.

References

• Amazon. “Lit Christmas Boxes.” Check on Amazon
• Target. “Lighted Christmas Decor.” https://www.target.com/c/lighted-christmas-decor
• Home Depot. “Lighted Holiday Decor.” https://www.homedepot.com/lighted-holiday-decor