Smart plugs and smart sockets make Christmas lighting far easier — letting you control lights remotely and set automatic timed schedules for convenience. From indoor trees to outdoor displays, smart plugs turn traditional Christmas lights into an automated, hassle-free part of your festive décor.

Why Use Smart Plugs & Sockets for Christmas Lights?

Smart plugs and sockets give you:

• Remote control — turn lights on or off from your sofa or while out, using a phone or voice assistant.

• Automated scheduling — have lights switch on at dusk and off at bedtime, every day. Fit and forget while you focus on your other Christmas tasks.

• Energy savings — ensure lights don’t stay on all night.

• Simple installation — plug-in options need no wiring changes; outdoor smart sockets give a clean, weather-proof solution.

• Easy access — no more reaching around the back of your Christmas tree to switch your lights or and off, just use your smartphone!

For many homeowners, that convenience — especially during the busy festive season — makes smart plugs a no-brainer.

Recommended Smart Plugs & Sockets

Here are some of the best smart plug/socket options for Christmas lights available via DownlightsDirect:

• Forum RF & Smart Plug-ins — inexpensive, simple plug-in units for temporary or indoor festive displays. Works with your smartphone or with a wire-free kinetic switch. The kinetic switch provides local control that even the kids can use. Or you can manually activate it with the switch on the side. No additional hub required, it works with the free to use Tuya App or with voice controlled Apps such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

• Forum RF Only Plug-ins — Not technically a smart plug as it has no Wi-Fi capabilities, while it costs less than the Wi-Fi version, you'll need an additional kinetic switch to activate it.

• Hub-based Plug-ins — The Lightwave LP40 Smart Plug-in, for more robust app control, automation and future smart-home expansion. With energy monitoring features in the App, this is a more advanced option. This does require an additional smart link hub which adds to the costs, ideal for existing Lightwave users or people who are looking for a smart home upgrade. We regularly have offers on Lightwave starter kits which come with a hub and smart switch, the ideal way to start your smart home journey.

• Wired-in Smart Sockets — for a permanent, neat installation if you frequently use smart lighting. These Lightwave smart sockets are a robust and modern solution which also require the Lightwave smart link hub.

• Wired-in Outdoor Smart Sockets - Rated at IP66 and designed especially for outdoors — consider a purpose-built outdoor smart socket.

Outdoor Smart Socket — Built for Garden & Festive Displays

Lightwave Outdoor Smart 2 Gang Socket

For outdoor lighting — e.g. string lights on a porch, garden trees, driveway illumination or full house Christmas displays — the Lightwave Outdoor Smart 2 Gang Socket is a top pick. Some of its key advantages:

• Weatherproof, robust build: The socket carries an IP66-rated weather-resistant casing, meaning it's sealed against rain, dust, snow and UV exposure — essential for outdoor use and winter weather.

• Remote control, scheduling & automation: Via the Lightwave app (and with the hub), you can switch lights on/off remotely, set timers, or even schedule “dusk-to-dawn” operation for outdoor festive displays.

• Voice assistant integration: Works with major systems like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit — allowing hands-free control ("Alexa, turn on the Christmas lights").

• Energy monitoring & efficiency: Track energy usage for connected lights/appliances, helping you avoid wastage and keep an eye on your electricity consumption.

• Extended wireless range: Lightwave’s 868 MHz RF communication gives better-range performance than many Wi-Fi/Bluetooth-only plugs, which helps if your hub is inside and your lights are outside.

• Clean, permanent install (if desired): Because this is a dedicated outdoor smart socket rather than a plug-in adapter, it’s ideal for a tidy, long-term outdoor lighting set-up — useful not only for Christmas but garden lights, security lighting or year-round outdoor décor.

In short: if you plan to run outdoor Christmas lights, driveway lights, garden lights or porch decorations — either just for the holidays or all year round — this outdoor smart socket is the most reliable and weather-safe way to go. Just make sure your Christmas lights don't have a big chunky driver attached to the plug or you might not be able to close the lid to maintain the IP rating.

Which Smart Socket for Which Use Case?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a hub to use an outdoor smart socket like the Lightwave Outdoor Smart 2 Gang Socket?

Yes — for full smart functionality (app control, scheduling, voice commands), a hub (e.g., Lightwave Link/L2 Hub) is required. Without the hub, it will only function as a standard switched outlet only.

Is it safe to use smart plugs/sockets outdoors for Christmas lights?

Yes — provided they are weather-rated (IP65 or IP66) and installed properly. Outdoor smart sockets like Lightwave’s are designed for exposure to rain, dust and cold, so they’re much safer and more durable than standard indoor plugs.

Can I automate multiple outdoor lights at once?

Absolutely. With a 2-gang outdoor smart socket you can plug in multiple sets of lights or devices — then control or schedule them together via app or voice.

Are smart outdoor sockets worth the investment if I only use Christmas lights?

They can be — especially if you value convenience and safety. And if you want to repurpose them for garden lighting, security lights or other outdoor appliances, the value grows significantly.

Do I need an extra hub for a smart Plug?

It depends on the brand, the Forum Kinetic range doesn't require a hub and can be controlled directly from your smartphone or with a kinetic switch for local control. Lightwave always needs a hub but once you've got one it can control over 100 Lightwave devices.