DIY Star Wars Lightsaber Lights

Make your own DIY Star Wars lightsaber Christmas lights using LED string lights, colorful plastic straws and duct tape! These miniature lightsabers are a fun way to decorate a Christmas tree, Star Wars bedroom or themed party.

You can customize the colors to match your favorite Star Wars characters, and no special tools are needed.

DIY Lightsaber Christmas Lights Supplies

• LED light strings
• Coordinating plastic straws
• Black duct tape
• Silver duct tape

DIY Lightsaber Christmas Tree Lights

I found this cool idea on Pinterest but unfortunately, it was one of those image-only pins. There were no instructions or a link to click through for details. So I decided to recreate them and show everyone how to make their own homemade lightsabers, albeit as a string of lights decorated like Star Wars lightsabers.

Star Wars Christmas Lights

I think the most important thing to remember is to use LED light sets so that the bulbs don’t get too hot.

I used a couple of sets of LED battery operated light strings I had stashed in my Christmas boxes. You can also find them at discount or hardware stores during the holidays.

I think it’s important that the lights are cool-running LED lights only. You don’t want lights to get too hot but they certainly don’t need to be battery operated. In fact I have made additional sets using a led lighting kit that just plug in to the wall as well. Also do not to cover the electrical connections or use damaged light strings.

DIY Project for Star Wars Enthusiasts

You could also use multicolor lights (i.e. kyber crystal colors) if you like, it really depends on what color scheme you want. Green, blue, red, purple, any color you want to use will work!  

Choose a blade color inspired by a specific movie or Star Wars character would work too. You can be inspired by the original trilogy or the many other options in the Star Wars universe. Pick your favorite character like Anakin Skywalker, Kylo Ren, Obi-wan Kenobi or Rey Skywalker. For example you could use green or blue for Luke Skywalker or red for Darth Vader, etc.

I made one set of green lightsaber lights, using green plastic straws and a string of clear LED lights.  Then I used a set of multicolor lights and made a set of red, green and orange lightsabers that turned out really fun for the holiday season. I love using a wide variety of colours best.

How to Make Lightsaber Christmas Lights

Cutting The Straws

Start by cutting your straws into lengths of about 2 inches (or however long you want your lightsabers to be). I found it easiest to prep the straws ahead of time, so I could create an assembly line process of the project.

Attach Straws To LEDs

Slide one end of the straw over the light bulb. You can see our green straws fit well on the clear light strand. The straws were a little loose on the 2nd light set but, either way, the duct tape will secure the straws to each light.

Make Duct Tape Handles

You’ll want to start with a wider strip of black duct tape to form the lightsaber handle.  Then layer a thinner strip of silver duct tape in the middle of the lightsaber handle.

For any duct tape newbies out there check out my trick for cutting duct tape, the key to easily cutting duct tape is to stick it to parchment paper first, it allows the scissors to cut through the duct tape without getting gummed up and then the duct will easily slide off the paper when you are ready to use it.

DIY Star Wars Lightsaber Christmas Lights Supplies

The process is a little time consuming but once you have your supplies set up and ready to go, it’s fairly easy. I am so excited about these Star Wars lightsaber lights, they are perfect for the holidays or really any time of year. I’ve even made a set for my son’s room in blue and green!

These mini light sabers would have been perfect for our Star Wars Halloween party and could be used for any Star Wars themed birthday or baby shower. I even used them on my Star Wars Halloween Tree.

Don’t like to DIY stuff? You can buy a string of tie fighters lights or even a light up Millennium Falcon.

More Holiday Ideas

• New Year’s Cookies made using cake mix that are so easy to make.
• Craft your Baby Yoda Snowflake using the free template.
• If you get a new visitor from the North Pole, this list of elf names could help.

Don’t miss these other DIY Star Wars Ideas:

• BB-8 Star Wars Christmas Wreath
• Star Wars Snowflakes Tutorial
• Star Wars Christmas Ideas
• Star Wars Halloween Christmas Tree

This article was originally published 12/22/15