DIY Christmas Lamppost

1 5-ft section 2” PVC pipe

2 1-ft section 1” PVC pipe

1 2” × 1.5” PVC Double Sanitary Tee

2 1.5”x1” White PVC Bushing (smooth NOT threaded)

2 1” PVC Cap

1 3” x 2” PVC pipe Reducer

1 Outdoor Pole Mount Lantern Light Fixture

1 LED Flame Light Bulb

1 6’ extension cord

1 24” basic Christmas Wreath (optional)

1 100ct indoor/outdoor mini Christmas light string (optional)

3 32x1 Machine Screws

1 32x2 Machine Screw (optional)

NOTE: Why 32x1 and 32x2 machine screws? Because that's what I had on hand.

1 5-6 ft T-post (optional but recommended)

Spray paint (color by preference)

PVC pipe cutter (hacksaw or miter saw even better)

Rubber mallet

Electric drill

5/32" Drill bit

1.25” Drill bit

The first thing is to cut the PVC pipes to length. I found that it was much cheaper to buy longer PVC pipe and cut to length than buying the exact lengths AND you’ll need to cut the 2” pipe anyway so you may as well save some $$$.

I went to my local big box store and bought 2 10’ length of 2” PVC and 1 10” length of 1” PVC. I was making 5 lampposts so this met most of my needs. Obviously if you’re making less, just buy what you need.

Side note: I don’t own a truck and I’m not driving around with 5 feet of pvc pipe hanging out the window, so I brought my 2” pvc pipe cutter, bought the 10’ lengths and just cut it in the parking lot!

Using your pvc pipe cutter (or hacksaw/miter saw) cut your 2” PVC pipe into 5 ft sections. Then cut 6” from either end of the 5 ft section.

Next cut your 1” pipe into 1 ft sections (you’ll need two 1 ft sections per lamppost)

Using your 5/32” drill bit, screw three evenly spaced holes in the 3” section of the 3”x2” pvc reducer.

IF YOU WANT TO ADD THE WREATH:

Insert the 6” length of 2” pipe into the North section of the hub. Hand tighten then make a mark where the pipe lands on the hub.

Remove the 6” pipe section from the hub. Using your 1.25” drill bit, drill a hole about 2” above the mark. Using the 5/32" drill bit, drill a hole about 1/2” above this hole.

If you don’t want to add the wreath, don’t want electric lights on the wreath, or if you want to run power to the wreath on the outside of the lamppost, you can skip this step.

The post will, essentially, take the form of a cross with the PVC Double Sanitary making the hub.

The 4.5 foot 2” pipe section will form the “south” leg; the 6 inch 2” pipe section will form the “north” leg and the two 1 foot 1” pipe sections will form the east and west legs.

First, insert the 1.5” x 1” PVC bushing into the east and west portions of the hub. This will allow you to insert the 1” PVC sections into the hub.

Next, put the 1” PVC end caps onto the ends of the east and west legs. Using your rubber mallet, tap the PVC sections into a secure fitting.

Side note: I’m intentionally not using pvc glue because I want to have the option of disassembling for storage. So don’t go to town on hammering the pvc sections together or you may not be able to remove!

Next, insert the 6” section of the 2” PVC pipe into the north portion of the hub. Again, use the rubber mallet to get a secure fit but make sure you don’t cover the 1.5” hole you drilled earlier. Also, align the machine screw hole to center it with the hub.

Next, insert the 4.5’ section of the 2” PVC pipe into the south portion the hub. Use mallet to secure.

Finally, insert the 2” portion of the 3”x2” PVC reducer onto the top of the north leg of the cross and secure with mallet.

Spray paint the assembled lamppost any color you desire. I wanted it black though you can choose any color you want but keep in mind, depending on the color of the lamp, you may have to paint the lamp portion as well.

I used a plain wreath to decorate my lamppost in order to keep the costs down but if you prefer a fully decorated one, have at it!

I also chose to run electric lights inside the lamppost assembly but you could always run a separate extension cord on the outside of the lamppost, use solar or battery lights, or don’t use lights at all!

In my first attempt I used a 50 ct light string and just wasn’t satisfied, so I would recommend a 100 ct string.

Wrap the lights so that the male end of the plug ends up at the top of the wreath. (Yes, I know I can turn whatever end of the wreath I want into the top portion. Quit judging, LOL)

Add any ribbon or other decorations that have to be wrapped around the wreath at this time.

Next, replace the 2” machine screw into the hole you drilled earlier into the 6” portion of pvc pipe (north leg).

You can finish decorating the wreath with hanging ornaments after the post is assembled.

Lay the post onto a table for easier assembly.

Thread the 6 ft extension cord through the north and south legs of the lamppost.

Run the male plug of the wreath lights through the 1.5” hole in the north leg of the post and thread it out the top.

Plug the lamp and the wreath into the extension cord. Temporarily plug the extension cord into a power source to make sure the lights are functioning then unplug from power source.

Stuff the wiring into the 2” pipe then insert the neck portion of the lamp into the 3” section of the 3x2 reducer.

Insert a 32x1 machine screws just into the three 3/32” holes you screwed into the 3” section earlier.

Next, SLOWLY tighten the screws to secure the lamp to the post. You will want to go back and forth between screws tightening a little at a time to ensure you keep the lamp straight.

Once the lamp is secured, stand the post up and secure the wreath to the 2” machine screw and finish decorating.

Obviously, you will have a top-heavy structure once assembled and will want to protect against the wind.

I purchased a 4' t-post, drove it about 10" feet into the ground, put the lamppost onto the t-post and then secured it by drilling a 2" inch screw into the lamppost and into the t-post (it doesn’t actually go “into” the t-post, it’ll push up against the post and keep the lamppost from moving). Depending on wind conditions in your area, you may need to put 2-3 securing screws in place.

In my case, I didn't need to secure it. Once it was put on the t-post, it wasn't going anywhere.

Once the post is secured, have fun! If you want to build a fancier base around the bottom, have at it! Just have fun!!!

I intend to repurpose the lampposts for Halloween too! I have a great skeletal vulture that I intend to perch on one of the two arms!