Up to three sets can be linked ordinarily to give you about 30 feet of lights per outlet. Three single-string light sets connected end to end usually stretch about three times as far as three icicle sets. The price of icicle lights has dropped dramatically over the years, and it pays to comparison shop. A variation on the icicle theme that is popping up in stores this year is the swag light set. Swag lights are arranged in parallel loops that hang down like swag curtains.
Manufacturers say the swag lights are particularly appropriate for Victorian-style houses.
Some swag sets create series of small loops of about three rows each about a foot across, while others have larger loops of five or six loops about three feet across. The sets with larger loops tend to cover less distance. Light nets started appearing a couple years ago and now are quite common. Light nets have their wires arranged in webs with lights set at the corners of squares where the wires meet. The nets are used to wrap shrubs or to cover horizontal features such as porch railings.