Christmas and lights go together like strawberries and cream. When lights are absent in the home at Christmas time it looks a little bare and can be difficult to create any festive cheer without them. Lights and fairy lights are an inexpensive way to create a grotto effect in the home and with that comes a huge helping of Christmas spirit. Children in particular enjoy the effect that fairy lights can have in the home. They are versatile and fun, and allow you to dress up your home in a way that at any other time of the year might seem a little bit childish. Getting it right though is important. Whether you like lots of colour, just a smattering or completely plain lights you can create a dramatic effect with ease. This article discusses the best colours to use at Christmas for the best possible effect.

Red is probably the most well known Christmas colour. Stemming perhaps from Santa's clothes (which in fact stems from coca cola!) red is one of the most commonly found colours used in lights and other decorations at Christmas time. It needs to be used in combination with other colours as too much red is not ideal and can start to look a little tacky, particularly when it comes to tinsel. When used with white or clear lights a very sophisticated display can be formed, likewise with gold.

Green is the other colour most often associated with Christmas. Perhaps because of the colour of the Christmas tree? Again, used alone this colour doesn't work, and other colours must be woven into it to really make it stand out. Green also works well with plain or white lights, bringing a very sophisticated feel to any room where this combination is displayed. Green is an important part of any multi-coloured display at Christmas and really helps bring the magic of Christmas into the home. Displays of green foliage and holly can help to decorate a room well - you could try adding sprigs of holly behind pictures and mirrors and create a beautiful natural wreath to hang on the front of the door.

White is often an accompanying colour at Christmas time. It brings elegance and style to any decorative display. White ribbons are particularly popular decorations and can look wonderful when tied to branches of the Christmas tree or included in table decorations. White or plain lights can dress up the house extremely well at Christmas time. Mirrors and pictures can be framed, mantle pieces and fireplaces can be adorned and outside, trees and flowerbeds can be lit up to highlight them at night time.

Gold has an important place at Christmas. Tinsel and other tree decorations can be used to add plenty of sparkle in the house. Children often use gold spray paint and glitter to make homemade decorations because they stand out so well. When used in moderation, gold can bring elegance and sophistication in the same way that white can, although too much can have a negative effect so use it sparingly.

Silver is the final colour that goes hand in hand with Christmas. Tinsel, table decorations, tree decorations and more all benefit from a hint of silver. This is also a very sophisticated colour when combined with other colours and used in moderation in the home. A great way to use some silver spray paint is to spray pine cones for display around the house. This is a very inexpensive and fun way to decorate the house. Children love doing this and it is a good way of bringing the outside indoors.

Coloured xmas lights and other decorations are brilliant for creating a joyful Christmas atmosphere in the home. There are 5 main colours that in particular are used at Christmas time that provide a beautiful overall effect when used creatively. It is important that each colour is used in the Christmas tree lights display or other led Christmas lights used in the home for the best possible effect.