DIY: 5 Tips from the Pros to Help you Create a Stunning Christmas Display for your Home!

1. Plan

Whether you hire a Christmas lighting company or you decide to decorate your house yourself it helps to plan ahead. Many people begin thinking about doing Christmas lights around Thanksgiving. Believe it or not, by this time most professional Christmas lighting companies have already been installing lights on businesses and homes for over a month. Their schedules are so full that they may not be able to fit in any more jobs.

For a less stressful holiday season and to get the most enjoyment out of your lights it is best to start planning in September and early October. This gives you the time to research Christmas lighting companies and to schedule an installation. Or if you are doing the lights yourself, it will give you time to plan how you want to decorate your house and yard, time to plan which outlets to use, time to make sure you will have enough power for the job, time to order the lights, and time to put them up so they are ready to turn on right after Thanksgiving.

2. Buy Quality Lights

I have had bad experiences with this one. When I was starting out, I did not realize the vast difference in the quality of Christmas lights you could buy. Most lights from places such as Home Depot, Lowes, and similar stores have cheap lights with inferior performance. Both Led and incandescent lights from these places may hold up for a year or two if that, and can likely have problems during the season.

At one time, I ordered lights from a supplier in Oklahoma City. I installed the lights on two homes before I realized they were junk. The color was a funky green instead of a warm white and water was getting in the bulbs and discoloring them even more. I had to redo those two jobs and try to send a thousand bulbs back and get a refund for my money. It was a hard learning experience to say the least.

It is worth it to pay a little more for top quality lights. You will save more in the long run, have less hassle fixing lights, and the lights will look better! Though I do buy a few items from the big box stores, my favorite place to buy lights is from Christmas Lights Etc. located in Alpharetta, GA. All the pro companies buy lights from them. I probably buy 90% of my Christmas lighting supplies here. It is open to the public for online orders, and they have great customer service.

3. Have the Right Tools

Here are some tool that work really great for putting lights up. Extension poles can lift light strands high up into trees as well as be used for taking the lights down. I like using the long painter’s extension poles. A screwdriver can be taped diagonally at the end to hold the light strand. Manuel staple guns work well for stapling Christmas lights to wood soffits, tree trunks, and places where clips will not work. Just be careful not to staple into the wire. Timers are another essential part of lighting supplies. Spending a few dollars on timers will well worth it. You can have the lights turn on and off at any time and not have to worry about it.

4. Install your Lights Early

Put the lights up a week or two before you want to turn them on. Mini light strands and roof lights are not very visible during the day and will not create an eye sore. If you have wreaths and greenery you want to add, these can be put up later. Getting your lights up early will enable you to test them and fix any problems.

5. Take Down Tips

Taking down Christmas lights is the final part of the lighting job and something that is often dreaded. Here are some tips to make it easier and more enjoyable.

Take down the lights when they are dry if possible. If you have to take down lights that are wet, let them dry before storing. Wet lights can mold and will not last as long.

Wrap mini lights like a ball of yarn starting with the female end. This way they will not get tangled and can easily be tested next year to see if they work.

Label all your roof lights and extension cords with tap or colored zip ties and make a diagram so you remember where everything goes for next year. This will make the installation next year so much easier and quicker.

Use zip ties for keeping extension cords and roof lights neat and untangled.

Lastly store lights in a dry cool place to extend the life of the lights. Attics are generally not the best place to store lights especially in the south because of the high temps.