A stake for holding decorative lights has a stake portion having a pointed end and a head attached to the opposite end of the stake portion. The head has an open center and a top portion. A bulb gripper is pivotably attached to the inner surface of the top portion, such that the bulb gripper can be moved from a position which is co-linear with a centerline through the stake portion to a position which is substantially perpendicular to the centerline through the stake. The bulb gripper has a tab sized and positioned to engage another tab on the head when the bulb gripper is in a position which is substantially perpendicular to the stake portion locking the bulb gripper in place.