Do you want to be the house on the block this holiday season? You know—that one that all the kids want their parents to drive by again and again? Creating a dazzling holiday light display may not be an easy task, but the payoff is worth it. When it comes to holiday light ideas, one quick internet search can provide you with a million creative suggestions. However, there’s not a lot out there to guide you on exactly how you should do it. Well, not anymore. Read on to learn how to create your own dazzling holiday light display.
You’ll Need Sufficient Power for Your Holiday Light® Display Ideas
Powering your holiday light display requires more electricity than your system usually uses throughout the rest of the year. Any weaknesses in the system, frayed wiring, or surges could create a dangerous problem. When in doubt, always consult with licensed experts.
Advance Planning Is Key
Although it may be tempting to just pick out any flashy lights that grab your eye at the store, that’s not the best way to go about it. Planning your light display is essential. A good plan can be the difference between pulling it all off or pulling your hair out in the process.
Here’s are some things you should do before you spend big on all those pretty lights:
- Decide which areas of your home you’d like to decorate (windows, walkways, gutters, etc.), all of it, and how.
- Thoroughly measure the areas of your house where the lights will be hanging.
- Make a detailed list of what you need to make your vision a reality (different colors, effects, shapes, etc.).
- Make sure the areas you’re decorating is accessible to outdoor outlets.
- Don’t forget the accessories, like clips, ties extension cords, etc.
Buy More Holiday Lights Than You Think You Need
Even though you’ve measured the areas you’re decorating you may find that slopes, corners, and walkways look sparser than you originally imagined. For this reason, and because it’s also good to have replacement strands on hand, err on the side of caution and purchase more light than you need. Once you start hanging your lights, it’s better to have more than not enough if and when you need them.
Maintenance Required
Once your lights are all placed, go ahead and let out that sigh of relief. Getting everything hung is half the battle. However, your display will require a little maintenance. Bulbs may burn out, wind may knock strands out of place, a circuit may blow—you never know what may happen. To keep your lighting display dazzling, clear out any snow that may accumulate in certain areas and add extra clips or fastens if you expect a storm. And of course, prevention is the best way to avoid problems. So before hanging any light strands, plug them in first inside to check for any dim or burnt-out bulbs. It’s also smart to have a stock of extra bulbs on hand, so you can replace them when necessary. A little ongoing effort keeps your display looking festive and amazing all season long.
Safety Steps
When designing and installing your holiday lights display, always put safety first.
- Ladders – A ladder will help you reach the higher areas of your home or place lights in the tree. But make sure the ladder is sturdy, stable, and in good working order before you begin hanging any lights. Have a friend, neighbor, or family member secure the base for you. Don’t use the ladder in bad weather. Be careful not to avoid electric lines that may be hanging above your yard or close to your house.
- Climbing on the roof – Wait for clear weather before hanging any rooftop lights. Never go on your roof when it’s raining or snowing, or if there’s snow, rain, or ice already on your roof.
- Kids – Children might want to get involved. Helping decorate the house for the holidays can be exciting and fun for kids, but be sure to give them safe jobs to do. Untangling strands of lights or choosing which colors go where is a great way to get kids involved. Never let kids climb a ladder or play with strands of light that are plugged in.
- Overloaded circuits – Most home electrical systems should be able to handle the extra load of holiday lights. However, it’s not uncommon for some circuits to be overloaded when they’re given more responsibility than usual. If you trip a circuit and aren’t sure how to safely rectify the problem, consult with a professional electrician.
Get Professional Holiday Light Display Assistance
A holiday light display is a great way to get involved in seasonal activities and show your holiday spirit. But with everything else that goes on during the holidays pulling it all together in time can be a bit overwhelming. If you want a dazzling holiday display but just don’t have the time to invest, we can help. Our professionals are experts when it comes to setting up light displays that are the envy of the neighborhood. Take the pressure off of doing it all this holiday season and let us help you have the holiday display you always wanted. Whether it’s just a few lights or an entire holiday display, we can make it happen. We’ll even help with takedown and storage so you can sit back and really enjoy the holidays. Give us a call or visit us online at Your Holiday Lights.
