Nothing spells Christmas better than a picturesque, well-lit home decked out in Christmas lights. However, achieving that perfect festive look requires more than just randomly draping strings of colored bulbs around your property. It involves creativity, accuracy, planning, and, most importantly, safety measures.
This article reveals expert tips on hanging Christmas lights for the best festive look.
Plan your Design Beforehand
The first step to achieving your desired festive look is to come up with a plan. This involves several key points:
- Determine the locations for your Christmas lights: Front yard, entryway, roofline, trees, or windows.
- Decide on the color scheme to use. Traditionalists might prefer classic warm white lights, while enthusiasts might choose multi-colored ones.
- Estimate the total length of Christmas lights needed. This can be done using a measuring tape to estimate your lights’ path before buying.
- Draw out a rough sketch of your design plan — where to start and end, where to place different colors if using more than one, etc.
Choosing the Best Christmas Lights
Choosing the correct type of Christmas lights is more crucial than you may think. Keep the following points in mind:
- LED lights over Incandescent: Though a bit more expensive, LED lights consume less energy, have a longer lifespan, and are safer as they produce less heat.
- Waterproof Ratings: Depending on where and how you’re planning to hang lights, it is essential to consider weatherproof or waterproof-rated lights.
- Certified Lights: Always go for lights certified safe by a recognized testing laboratory.
At the heart of this selection process, you may want to check Santa’s Quarters for the best Christmas decor deals. This store is lauded for its vast range of high-quality and safe Christmas light selections.
With choices ranging from incandescent to LED lights and from warm white to multi-colored, this place has your needs covered. Notably, their lights are certified safe by recognized testing laboratories, ensuring optimal safety for your festive decor.
The Hanging Process
The next step in your journey to a festive look involves hanging up the Christmas lights. Here are some pro tips:
- Use Light Clips: Never use nails or staples as they risk damaging your home’s exterior or the lights’ wire insulation, leading to dangerous electrical shorts. Plastic light clips are a safer choice.
- Work in a Team: Always involve someone else in the process, especially when using a ladder. They can hold the ladder steady and hand you up things, ensuring better safety.
- Start from a Central Point: Try not to start or end your light strings at the end of an eaves trough, as this could cause water to redirect into it.
- Timer: Consider using a light timer for your outdoor decorations to conserve energy and prolong the lifespan of your lights.
Safety Measures To Consider
Above all, keeping things safe is of utmost importance. Here are some safety tips:
- Use a sturdy ladder with someone holding it for you.
- Wear gloves and safety glasses.
- Only use outdoor extension cords.
- Make sure your connections are not sitting in the water.
- Do not use more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.
- Unplug lights before replacing bulbs, removing them, or making any adjustments.
- Turn off the lights before going to bed or before leaving the house.
How To Incorporate Christmas Lights Into Your Holiday Decor
While stringing them across a Christmas tree is a beloved tradition, these bright beacons of holiday cheer can be used in a myriad of other ways to create a dazzling, festive atmosphere.
Here, we explore unique ways to incorporate Christmas lights into your holiday decor.
Illuminate Your Living Spaces
Just making some creative changes to how you hang Christmas lights can significantly impact your home’s festive ambiance. Try hanging them along your ceiling, tracing your doorways, or elegantly draping them from your mantel.
Christmas Light Jar Displays
Place your Christmas lights in transparent jars of various shapes and sizes to create beautiful, light-filled displays. This will not only recycle your mason jars but will also create a charming and unique ambiance.
DIY Lighted Garland
Create your custom garland by wrapping Christmas lights around traditional green garlands. You can choose a colored or white light to suit your space’s overall theme.
Boost the cheer factor with wire-edged ribbons, ornaments, or frosted pinecones.
Light Up Your Outdoor Tree
If you have trees in your yard, remember to include this natural decoration in your lighting scheme. Wrapping strings of lights around tree trunks or hanging them from branches can create a magical wonderland right in your backyard.
Illuminate Your Windows
Don’t restrict your lights to the interior of your house; let them shine as beacons to the outside world. Adorning your windows with Christmas lights allows passersby to share in your holiday spirit.
Creative Wall Décor
Get creative by using Christmas lights to make festive shapes or words on your wall. It could be a Christmas tree shape, a star, or even a simple word like ‘Joy’.
Bedazzled Mirrors
If you have wall mirrors in your home, consider draping some string lights over them. The reflection of the lights will instantly double your sparkle and create a dreamy, illuminated aesthetic.
Miniature Christmas Light Displays
Use miniature lights to create mini holiday displays for a fun, whimsical touch. Wrap them around mini Christmas trees, or create miniature “fireplaces” with logs and lights.
Final Words
Achieving the best festive look with your Christmas lights comes down to proper planning, selecting quality lights, and observing optimal safety precautions.
Whether you’re thinking of replicating the North Pole or simply looking to give your home a warm, magical Christmas glow, these expert tips should guide you right. Remember, the Christmas spirit doesn’t end with the lights but continues with the joy and warmth you share with others.
