Rent or Buy Christmas Lights

Is It Cheaper to Rent or Buy Christmas Lights?

October 01, 20253 min read

When the holidays roll around, many Indiana homeowners face the same dilemma: should you rent or buy Christmas lights?

At first glance, buying might seem like the better long-term investment. But when you factor in quality, safety, time, and hidden costs, the true answer might surprise you.

Let’s break down the real difference between buying your own lights and opting for professional Christmas light rental with Blue Duck Christmas Lights (Indy Christmas Light Pros).


Buying Lights: The Hidden Costs

Buying lights yourself seems affordable—but the expenses add up quickly.

Typical costs include:

  • $200–$600+ on retail-grade lights (roofline, bushes, walkways)

  • $50+ on clips, extension cords, timers, and tools

  • Replacement bulbs every 1–2 years

  • Ladder or equipment rental for multi-story homes

  • Your time (shopping, testing, installing, troubleshooting, takedown, and storage)

Plus, store-bought lights are often:

  • Lower in quality

  • Less weather-resistant

  • Prone to early burnout

Summary: You’re fully responsible for everything—and it can be more expensive than it looks.


Renting Christmas Lights: All-Inclusive & Hassle-Free

When you rent Christmas lights from Blue Duck, here’s what’s included:

Custom design for your home
✅ Commercial-grade, weatherproof LED lighting
Professional installation
✅ Ongoing maintenance (yes, we fix outages)
✅ Safe takedown after the season
✅ Organized storage until next year

With one flat seasonal price, you skip all the guesswork and gain peace of mind.


Rent vs. Buy: Which Option Really Saves You Money?

If you're thinking about buying your own lights, remember to factor in more than just the cost of the bulbs. Here's what you're really paying for:

When You Buy Christmas Lights:

  • You’ll spend $300–$700+ on lights, clips, timers, and extension cords

  • You’ll need to spend hours installing them (or risk paying someone else)

  • You’re responsible for any repairs if bulbs burn out or strands stop working

  • You’ll need to take everything down after the holidays

  • You’ll also have to store everything until next year—hoping it still works

When You Rent Christmas Lights from Blue Duck:

  • One flat seasonal price includes everything

  • We handle design, installation, maintenance, takedown, and storage

  • You never touch a ladder, wrestle with cords, or fix a bulb

  • We use high-quality, commercial-grade lights that shine brighter and last longer

  • Plus, you get peace of mind with full support all season

💡 Bottom line: Renting may seem more expensive upfront, but it saves you time, stress, and long-term replacement costs—making it the smarter choice for most Indiana families.


Why More Indiana Families Are Renting Their Lights

Homeowners in Fishers, Carmel, Westfield, and throughout Indianapolis are switching to Christmas light rentals because:

  • It’s safer (no ladders or roof climbing)

  • It’s faster (we install in days)

  • It looks better (custom designs, pro-grade lights)

  • It comes with exclusive perks like access to Frosty Fest, our invite-only Santa breakfast event


Skip the Headache. Keep the Holiday Magic.
Ready to enjoy the season without the stress of buying, hanging, or storing lights?

Contact Blue Duck Christmas Lights today to get a quote and learn how easy and affordable Christmas light rentals can be.

Back to Blog