For most people, there’s only one type of Christmas light hanging clip that they know about: the ones that they used last year.

Which is perfectly fine – unless these clips are a big part of the reason why you view putting up Christmas lights as the most “Bah, humbug!” holiday chore there is. If you dread the entire Christmas light installation process, maybe it’s time for you to see if using a different type of light clip can save you some headaches.

Here is a primer on the various types of Christmas light clips:

1. Type: All-in-one clip
Fastens to: shingles or gutters
Bulb Types: Standard C7/C9, C6, mini lights
Details: Easy to install and remove

2. Type: All-in-one Plus clip
Fastens to: shingles or gutters
Bulb Types: Standard C7/C9, C6, mini lights, icicle lights
Details: Has additional hook for icicle lights

3. Type: Omni all-in-one clip
Fastens to: shingles or gutters
Bulb Types: Standard C7/C9, C6, mini lights, icicle lights
Details: Has serrated edge to be better secured under shingles

4. Type: LED All-in-one clip
Fastens to: shingles or gutters
Bulb Types: Prelamped LED C7/C9, C6, mini lights
Details: Ideal for all LED light sizes

5. Type: C-Style All-in-one clip
Fastens to: shingles or gutters
Bulb Types: Standard C7/C9, C6, mini lights, rope lights
Details: Has a clip head which rotates 360 degrees

6. Type: Gutter clip
Fastens to: gutters only
Bulb Types: Standard C7/C9
Details: Is perfect for gutters that have thicker lips

7. Type: S-style gutter hook
Fastens to: gutters only
Bulb Types: all
Details: Secures wire over gutter lip; any type of lights can be used

8. Type: Original shingle tab
Fastens to: shingles, gutters, or flat surfaces
Bulb Types: Standard C7/C9
Details: Popular choice for shingles, or gutters with space between soffit and wall

9. Type: Bi-axial shingle tab
Fastens to: shingles only
Bulb Types: Standard C7/C9
Details: Has a folding tab which secures clip under shingles 

10. Type: Icicle light clip
Fastens to: shingles or gutters 
Bulb Types: icicle lights
Details: Feature flexible clips for installation and removal

11. Type: Rope light clip
Fastens to: shingles or gutters 
Bulb Types: rope lights
Details: Neatly hangs rope lights of up to 13mm in diameter

12. Type: Tile all-in-one clip
Fastens to: roof tiles only
Bulb Types: Standard C7/C9, C6, mini lights, icicle lights
Details: Has tile clip for slate or clay tile roofs

13. Type: Combo-C clip
Fastens to: flat surface only
Bulb Types: Standard C7/C9
Details: Ideal for permanent light installation, especially on commercial structures

14. Type: Brick clip
Fastens to: brick only
Bulb Types: all
Details: Fit 2 1/8″ to 2 1/2″ brick without damaging mortar

15. Type: Siding hook
Fastens to: siding only
Bulb Types: all
Details: Ideal for vinyl siding; also holds other decorations

16. Type: Mini-light adhesive strip
Fastens to: window framing
Bulb Types: mini lights
Details: Ideal for stringing lights around windows

Much like many exterior home improvement projects, the chore of hanging lights is made easier when you use the proper tools. The bottom line is, using the correct type of clip or hook to secure your Christmas lights will make this annual task substantially easier. Who knows – while putting up your holiday lights this year, you might even find yourself getting into the Christmas spirit!

Written by Del Thebaud