Hanging outside Christmas lights

[Up_North]

Mrs Up_North wants to hang some outside Christmas lights over our downstairs window - those icicle type things. But we don’t have any kind of gutter or fascia above the window - it’s flush with the wall above. So looking for ideas to hang the lights. I don’t really want to bang in a while load of cable clips. I did think of a catenary wire but decided this was overkill and I think they’re really designed to support wires in free air BETWEEN walls not along a wall. So thinking a curtain pole type thing hanging on hooks so it can easily be taken down etc. Just wondering if anybody has any other options worth considering.

Ta!

[mikeiow]

I’d suggest just screwing in some small cup hooks to blend with the mortar or bricks.
Perhaps needs photo to see if that could work.
We use them on our wooden soffits, which is clearly easier and more hidden, but I’d have thought that could work okay. The wire would be “tensioned” between the end ones with a couple more for holding in between.

[Simpo Two]

I use small brown cable clips every couple of feet, at a slight downwards angle so you can get the wire in and out at the top (or you could cut the loose end a bit short). They've been there for years and are effectively invisible against the brickwork.

[Steve Campbell]

Simpo Two said:

I use small brown cable clips every couple of feet, at a slight downwards angle so you can get the wire in and out at the top (or you could cut the loose end a bit short). They've been there for years and are effectively invisible against the brickwork.

That's what I do.

[Up_North]

Thanks for the replies guys. I get that cable clips are the simplest idea but I seem to have bad experiences with cable clips. Whack ‘em in, mortar crumbles or the just easily pull back out. I’m sure it’s just my, lack of, technique.

[M1AGM]

This VHB tape might work:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Double-Sided-Tape-White-1...

[DorsetSparky]

Up_North said:

Thanks for the replies guys. I get that cable clips are the simplest idea but I seem to have bad experiences with cable clips. Whack em in, mortar crumbles or the just easily pull back out. I m sure it s just my, lack of, technique.

Not just you. Hateful little things. I sometimes end up using the smallest cleats I can find instead if it's for actual cable, everyone hates those damn things.

[Russet Grange]

Hot glue gun, glue the wire to the brick.

Should hold all winter, easy to remove.

[i4got]

Do the lights have to be above the window frame? If you have UPVC window frames you could maybe get away with suction hangers like these.....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/12Pcs-Christmas-Light-Hoo...

[Jakg]

Up_North said:

I get that cable clips are the simplest idea but I seem to have bad experiences with cable clips. Whack em in, mortar crumbles or the just easily pull back out. I m sure it s just my, lack of, technique.

Might be OTT for christmas lights but you can get pin plugs which are basically rawlplugs for nails, drill and hammer in, work well on brickwork.