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"  Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner \u2014 and that means more backyard time! Outdoor lights are not only essential, but they can also transform your yard into a summer oasis where the whole family can kick back and relax. There are no rules when it comes to outdoor lighting; mix-and-match all the options below to create your own magical nighttime haven. Candles are a surefire way to create a romantic, intimate ambiance. They&amp;#039;re the easiest to set up and add instant charm. And, let&amp;#039;s be honest, everyone looks good in candlelight. Be careful of open flames however, because the last thing you want on the menu at your barbecue or romantic dinner is the porch furniture. Also, keep in mind that candles are only a temporary form of lighting \u2014 they can burn out and need replacing even before the evening&amp;#039;s over. The best part about these battery-powered candles is that you can&amp;#039;t see the &amp;quot;flame&amp;quot; because it&amp;#039;s designed to look like it melted the same way a wax candle does! Designed in a similar fashion to the candles above, these candles are also battery-powered, but with a smooth, waxy appearance. Not only do they come in sets of three, but they also come with a remote so you can &amp;quot;blow the flames out&amp;quot; from a distance. For more festive lighting, choose Colored Paper Lanterns. String them up in a line or clusters, or stack them on poles to create light columns that give the area height. Paper lanterns are available in lots of different shapes and sizes, allowing you to use your own creative flair to personalize your outdoor area. Also consider glass lanterns, which although more expensive, can last through many summer seasons. These paper lanterns are environmental friendly and come in a variety of colors, so you can match them to the rest of your outdoor decor. If you&amp;#039;re the arts-and-crafts type, have some fun by designing dramatic Lighted Table Centerpieces. They&amp;#039;re perfect for any themed event and can be fashioned out of different textures, colors, and materials. For example, the red, white and blue motif for your Memorial Day or Fourth of July can come from your own unique, homemade centerpiece! For the brightest light, place lanterns with clear, glass panes into the middle of your centerpiece. If you&amp;#039;re going for an enchanted ambience, opt for colored or patterned versions. You can purchase an already completed centerpiece or save some money by making a visit to the crafts store and picking up supplies to do-it-yourself. This black metal lantern comes with a battery-powered candle whose light accentuates the shape of the lantern the same way a real candle would. Use it for a centerpiece or line many to light a walkway. No need to move your food and drinks out of the way in order to light the outdoor table at night. This light fixture fastens right to the pole of your patio umbrella! Who said String Lights were only for the Christmas season? This classic lighting is so incredibly simple to install that there&amp;#039;s really no excuse for sitting in the dark. Try hanging the lights along the border of your outdoor space to create a twinkling wonderland. String lights are also available in fun shapes and bright colors that add a dash of playfulness to any area. Rope lights are another durable option since they have a protective plastic layer. These string lights are made of black mesh and look very classy in an outdoor setting. Solar Lights are as eco-friendly as they are practical. They require no upkeep and because they&amp;#039;re fueled by the hot summer sun during the day and turn on by themselves at night, your yard will be illuminated regardless of whether or not you&amp;#039;re outside. Personally, I love the Bambeco Soji Solar String Lights which combine the beauty of strings with the practicality of solars. They come in classic white or vibrant colors.  The color and pattern of these solar-powered hanging lanterns blends in well with the colors of nature, and yet they stand out in a subtle, decorative fashion. These solar-powered lanterns collect sun throughout the day in order to glow like the moon for up to 6 hours at night. These solar-powered outdoor light votives are made of glass and each contain a variety of colors so that the light caught from the sun emits light in a kaleidoscope of colors. With LED Lights you can save some money while you&amp;#039;re saving the world. This eco-friendly lighting option lasts much longer and is a lot more energy-efficient that incandescent alternatives; a single LED light can outlive twenty traditional light bulbs. While they&amp;#039;re costly, you can recoup your spendings over time and in energy cost savings. Plus LED&amp;#039;s are low maintenance, giving you more time to relax and enjoy the festivities. Check out one of my favorites, the OXO Demi Glow Set. For more information on LED outdoor lights, check out our tips for LED candles. This pussy willow battery-powered light fixture is sure to stand out more than any other light in your yard and plant in your garden. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/a23819/outdoor-lighting/>