In one aspect, the invention features a flexible base receptacle configured to be coupled to a lighting unit. The base receptacle includes a lower portion, which has a lower portion perimeter. The base receptacle includes a neck portion, which is movable relative to the lower portion. The neck portion has a lower neck portion perimeter that is proximate the lower portion. The neck portion has an upper neck portion perimeter. The neck portion has an intermediate neck portion perimeter, which is smaller than the lower neck portion perimeter and the upper neck portion perimeter. Some embodiments enable outdoor lighting assemblies to absorb forces due to bumping, thereby making it more difficult to break the outdoor lighting assemblies.