How to Hang a Wreath With an Extension Cord

Unless you have a battery operated lighted wreath, the setup will typically call for an extension cord along with a wreath hanger or hook, to enable you to plug in your wreath.

The most challenging part of the process is concealing the extension cord. Learn how to use careful arrangement and some clever decor tricks to do the job.

Before you start hammering nails or putting up hooks, carefully plan how and where you will hang your lighted holiday wreath.

‌Where will it go?‌ Your desired spot could be on the front door, on a front porch railing, above the top of the door or over a fireplace mantel. Your home decor plans might include multiple holiday wreaths, such as matching wreaths at each side of the door, or a set of wreaths mounted along a balcony. Have a friend or family member hold up the wreath in the desired spot, stand back and take a look. Mark the most-desired position for each wreath with a pencil or strip of masking tape.

‌How will you plug it in?‌ Determine whether or not your chosen wreath hanging spot can accommodate an extension cord. Where is the closest wall outlet, whether indoors or outdoors, to the wreath? Can you trail the extension cord from the wreath to the outlet without causing a tripping hazard? Does the cord need to slide over, under or around a door frame? Try all the possible options with the cord before hanging the wreath or plugging anything in.

The best options for hanging your wreath will depend on where you are hanging it, whether or not you are OK with creating holes in the door or wall, and whether the wreath is lightweight or needs heavier hardware.

Here are some of the best ways to hang a wreath:

• Purchase a special ‌wreath hanger‌ that fits over a door or railing. These are available in various decorative and plain versions.
• Hammer a ‌nail or scre‌w a hook into the door or wall stud. Choose a thicker, longer nail or hook for a larger, heavier wreath. The nail or hook will typically be concealed within the wreath, but will leave permanent holes in the door or wall.
• Use a ‌removable adhesive hook‌. Check the packaging for weight limits and choose an appropriate size and strength of hook.
• Use an adhesive or screw-in ‌hook or nail on the reverse side of the door‌ from the side where you will display the wreath. Hang the wreath from the hook or nail with fishing line or festive ribbon that you pass over the top of the door. This method enables you to position the hook or nail in a more discreet position.

Plug your extension cord into the socket attached to the wreath, but do not plug it into the outlet until you're done. Pass the cord through the hinge side of the door, if necessary, or allow it to fall directly to the floor, mantel or closest piece of furniture. It might help to temporarily hold the cord in place against the wall, baseboards, furniture or mantel with strips of masking tape. Create a path from the wreath to the wall outlet that's flush against the walls and not crossing any space where people might walk and trip.

Secure the extension cord against the walls or other surfaces using your preferred method from the following:

• Use a series of small, ‌transparent adhesive hooks‌ to hold the cord. Space them every foot or so along the length of the cord.
• Tape ‌gaffer tape‌ along the length of the cord to avoid a tripping hazard, especially if the cord runs along the ground. Masking tape can serve a similar function, as can careful use of duct tape. Look for tape in a color that matches the background.
• Hammer ‌U-shaped nails‌ around the cord into baseboards, or use a staple gun for the same task. Be very careful not to pierce the cord, and never do this with the cord plugged in.

If a visible extension cord is ruining the look of your wreath arrangement, or you still want to conceal it for aesthetic reasons, there are many ways to do so creatively. You can hide the bulky wreath plug behind a wreath bow, or tie it behind the wreath.

One of the easiest is to incorporate a faux greenery garland, swag or other type of Christmas garland into the wreath decor. Attach the cord to the garland using twist ties, zip ties or chenille stems, and arrange the garlands so that the cord is concealed. The garland/cording could wrap around a door frame, drape across a mantel or lie along baseboards. Add more garland going in other directions to make the design look intentional.

Another option is to make the cord part of the design. Wrap the cord in decorative washi tape, or wrap red tape around a white cord at an angle to resemble a candy cane. Arrange excess cord or a bulky surge protector inside a gift box or decorative basket with Christmas ornaments or pine cones on top to hide the electronics.

If a wreath adorned with Christmas lights is a must for your home decor this holiday season, follow all the tips above. Remember, even if the extension cord remains visible, there's a good chance nobody will notice it—they'll be too distracted by your delightful Christmas decorations!