Most people think of the backyard pool as a summer-only asset. Once the temperature drops and the swimsuits go into the back of the closet, the pool usually becomes a dark, lonely rectangle in the yard. Honestly, that’s a huge waste of prime real estate. If you want to decorate pool for christmas, you have to stop thinking about it as a swimming hole and start treating it like a giant, liquid mirror.
It’s about reflection.
When you get the lighting right, the water doubles your holiday display. It's essentially a force multiplier for your electric bill—but in a good way. However, I’ve seen enough "Pinterest fails" to know that just throwing some tinsel near the deep end isn't going to cut it. You’re dealing with water, electricity, and likely some wind. Safety matters more than aesthetics, but you don't have to sacrifice the "wow" factor to keep your house from burning down.
The Floating Light Dilemma
The most common mistake? Floating cheap plastic ornaments in the water and calling it a day. They just huddle in the skimmer box. It looks sad. If you want to decorate pool for christmas effectively, you need to control where things go.
LED floating globes are the gold standard here. Brands like LOFTEK or Emaxery make waterproof, rechargeable spheres that can change colors via remote. Instead of letting them drift aimlessly, use a bit of fishing line and a small fishing weight (a sinker). Drop the weight to the floor, tie the line to the globe, and suddenly you have "floating" orbs of light that stay exactly where you want them. It creates a grid pattern that looks intentional and high-end rather than accidental.
Some folks try to put real Christmas trees on rafts. I’ve seen it. It’s heavy. It’s unstable. And if it tips, you have a sodden mess of pine needles clogging your filter for the next three months. If you’re dead set on a floating tree, use a lightweight artificial one and secure it to a high-density foam base. Even then, tether it to four points on the pool deck.
Perimeter Lighting and Safety
Don't just wrap the fence. Think about the "waterline" effect.
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LED rope lights are your best friend here, but they must be rated for outdoor use (IP65 or higher). A cool trick is to run the rope lights along the underside of the pool coping if you have a lip. This hides the actual bulbs and creates a neon-like glow that reflects off the surface of the water. It’s subtle. It’s classy. It doesn't look like a landing strip.
Avoid the "National Lampoon" Disaster
Electricity and water don't mix. We all know this. Yet, every year, people run interior-grade extension cords across wet pool decks.
- GFCI Outlets: Only plug your decorations into Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets. If there’s a surge or a short, it cuts the power in milliseconds.
- Cord Protectors: Use "clamshell" weather-resistant covers for every connection point where two cords meet.
- Low Voltage: Whenever possible, stick to 12V or 24V lighting systems.
I talked to a professional pool tech in Arizona last year who mentioned that the biggest cause of pool-side electrical fires isn't the lights themselves, but the heat generated by "daisy-chaining" too many strands together. Stick to the manufacturer's limits. Seriously.
What Most People Get Wrong About Inflatables
Inflatables are polarizing. Some people love the giant floating Santa; others think it’s tacky. Regardless of your taste, if you put an inflatable on the water, you are essentially putting a sail in your backyard.
A 15-mph gust of wind can turn a floating reindeer into a projectile.
If you're going to use them to decorate pool for christmas, you need a heavy-duty anchoring system. Don't rely on the little plastic stakes they come with. Use nylon cord tied to weighted bags (filled with pebbles or sand) resting on the pool floor. Also, make sure the blower motor—the thing that keeps it puffed up—is nowhere near the water's edge. Most inflatable blowers are NOT submersible. If the inflatable deflates and the motor gets dunked, it’s game over.
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The "Iceberg" Aesthetic
If you live in a climate where it doesn't actually freeze, you can fake it. This is a personal favorite of mine.
White lights only.
No greens. No reds.
By using cool-white LEDs (the ones with the slight blue tint) around the perimeter and floating white "frosted" globes in the water, you create an Arctic look. It feels sophisticated. You can even find floating "iceberg" decorations made of molded plastic that look incredibly realistic under the moonlight. This works particularly well for modern, geometric pools with sharp angles.
Greenery and the Chlorine Factor
Wreaths look great on the pool fence. However, real evergreen wreaths shed. They shed a lot.
Chlorine is a harsh chemical. If your greenery hangs over the water, the rising vapors can actually bleach real pine needles, turning them a sickly yellow-brown within a week. Stick to high-quality artificial greenery for anything within five feet of the water. If you want that pine scent, buy a spray, but don't sacrifice your pool chemistry for it.
Speaking of chemistry, if you use "pool dyes" to turn your water red or green for a party, be careful. Most are harmless and break down with chlorine over 24-48 hours. But if your pool is plaster or has old stains, the dye can sometimes latch onto those imperfections. Always test a small amount first, or just stick to colored LED lights. It’s easier and you won't have to explain to your neighbors why your pool looks like a giant vat of Kool-Aid.
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The Logistics of the Pool Cover
If you live in the North, your pool is likely covered. This doesn't mean you can't decorate it.
You can't put heavy items on a pool cover—even a safety cover—because it stresses the springs and the anchors. But light-up net lights? Those are perfect. Draping a net of warm white lights over a black or green safety cover makes the pool look like a glowing field of stars. It’s one of the easiest ways to decorate pool for christmas when the water is off-limits.
Just make sure the cords are routed away from walkways. No one wants to spend Christmas Eve in the ER because they tripped over a power strip while looking at the lights.
Practical Steps for a Stress-Free Setup
Start early. Testing your lights on the grass is a lot easier than testing them while they're floating in the middle of a 40-degree pool.
- Audit your power: Count your outlets and check their wattage limits before buying a single strand of lights.
- Weight your floats: Buy some 1oz or 2oz lead fishing weights and clear 10lb test fishing line. It's the "invisible" way to keep your decor from drifting.
- Timer everything: Don't manually plug things in. Use a smart outdoor plug or a mechanical timer so the pool glows the second the sun goes down.
- Check the pH: If you are adding floating elements, check your water chemistry. You don't want a "Christmas surprise" of algae because you stopped maintaining the pool just because it's December.
Think about the viewing angle. Most people view the pool from the back sliding door or a kitchen window. Place your "hero" pieces—the big floating tree or the brightest orb—directly in that line of sight. Everything else is just supporting cast.
Decorating the pool takes effort, but it completely changes the vibe of the backyard. It turns a dark void into the centerpiece of your holiday display. Just keep the electricity high and dry, the anchors heavy, and the color palette consistent.