Find Your Festoon
Written by: Millie Breakspeare
We’re well into spring now, which means only one thing - lazy evenings spent in the garden watching the sun go down. This is the ideal time to bust out the festoon lights for that bold glow overhead, as you host alfresco meals with friends or while away the hours in your greenhouse.
But which festoons should I use? There are many different types to choose from, but the main difference to take into consideration is the power source. Solar, battery, plug-in, or connectable, we’ll take you through our springtime favourites and you can decide which is best for your garden.
Shining Solar
What better choice than solar festoon lights in spring, now the sunny days are upon us. Not only do you feel like you’re doing your bit for the environment with these lights, but they’ll save you money on your energy bills as the spring and summer months roll by. Make sure the solar panel is positioned for optimal sun exposure, and the festoons will charge up ready for when dusk settles. Perfect for lining garden steps so guests can keep their footing, or brightening up your greenhouse as you enjoy your drink of choice and a good book in your cosy garden retreat.
Brilliant Battery
Not all gardens get a lot of sunlight, especially as the sun moves throughout the day. Fear not, you can still add sparkle to your garden without relying on mains power. Batteries are a trusty alternative, plus they’re perfect when dealing with springtime showers – we are in Britain after all. Not only are battery festoon lights great for casting a golden glow over your garden party, but they can come in smaller sizes, like our daisy festoon lights, to add a touch of spring cheer to your garden décor.
Creative Connectables
If you happen to be blessed with a big garden, one of the challenges you might be faced with is making sure you’re able to light up the entire space. This is where connectable festoon lights come in. They’re easy to connect, so you can create the ideal length of lighting you need for your garden. Our core connect festoon lights can connect all the way up to 75m of lights – what a statement!
Connectable festoons are brilliant for alfresco dining – hang them above the table to paint it in a gorgeous glow, or use shepherd’s hooks to create a perimeter around your dining area, creating a golden bubble of light. Just bear in mind to use either an indoor socket or weather proof outdoor socket when letting your connectable festoons sparkle.
Perfect Plug-Ins
If you just want easy breezy plug-in and go festoon lights, plug-in festoons are ideal (the clues in the name). You don’t have to worry about changing batteries or whether the sun has been out that day, you get a constant bright shine throughout the evening – perfect if you’re hosting your first garden party of the year.
Remember, use indoor sockets or weather-proof outdoor sockets when you plug your festoons in – you don’t want a surprise rain forecast to turn your party into a damp squib.
There’s a festoon light for every garden, it’s just a matter of checking which power source and size is the best fit. We hope these tips have gotten you started on your own festoon journey, ready to watch night fall after a long day of fun in the sun.
