Ten Smart Ways to Install Christmas Lights With Less Stress
Whether you want to put on a big, spectacular light show or a low-key display for the holidays, putting up Christmas decorations can be stressful. Deciding how to attach things without damaging your home, getting the lights to look the way you want, and leaving time to celebrate are all challenges involved in creating a great display without breaking down. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to make the decorating process easier and faster, so you have more time to enjoy the holidays with friends and family.
Make a “long stick”
Instead of lugging around a ladder or stepladder, you can use what I call a “long stick.” For hanging lanterns, garlands and wreaths, this is a post with an inverted hook attached to it. If you don’t have a hook, you can use a wire hanger with a hook or a similar shaped item. Once you have this setup set up, you can use it to hang lanterns and string lights in hard to reach areas without having to climb a ladder. Keep it until the end of the season so you can easily return items.
Pre-attach hooks for hanging
Pre-attach an “s” hook for easy access. If you are hanging lights along the edges of a gutter or along another edge, you can use an “s” shaped hook pre-taped to the light strip every few feet. By using a “long stick” you can push the hook up and land it on the edge of the gutter without having to climb or permanently attach anything to the gutter. To avoid scratching the gutter, you can wrap the hook in duct tape or choose one with a rubber coating .
Light in stripes rather than spirals
When adding garlands to a tree or wreath where they will need to be removed at the end of the season, you should place the garlands on the surface of the branches rather than wrapping them around. For a tree, starting at the top of the tree, stretching one strand all the way to the top and then working your way down, spreading the light across the branches as you go will help distribute the light more evenly, getting more light. The lights on each strand will be visible and will be easier to remove later.
Label your lamps
Labeling the strands of fixtures as you add them to your display can help you identify any problems, count the number of strands per string, and keep your fixtures tidy when you put them away for the next year. Using a letter and then a number if you have multiple circuits running at the same time can help you sort things out and ensure accurate calculations. Another benefit of strand marking is that it helps you troubleshoot problems as you go. If you have a problem with one strand (say A-3), you can come back to it later, knowing exactly which strand of lights you are looking for from the label, and resolve the problem or decide to remove the strand from the commission. If you don’t want to number the strands, you can also mark the problem strand with a colored tape flag so you can easily identify it later.
Pre-light your decor
Light decorations before setting them up. For wreaths and garlands, adding lights and then hanging them means less time on the stairs fiddling with blonde strands. Before you start hanging things, check the lighting on the ground so you can troubleshoot problems while sitting comfortably and safely at a table or on the floor. You can use Velcro straps, reusable zip ties, or duct tape to secure the lights securely without damaging them. For tall trees, you can also start attaching lights to the top of the tree before lifting the tree.
Use smart timers and strips
Using a smart power strip or smart timer to connect your lights will give you the ability to control when they turn on and off without having to access the outlet where the lights are plugged into. This can be especially useful if you want to hide extension cords and cords behind furniture or in other hard-to-reach places. Using your phone or smart home hub to control your lights will make it much easier to turn them on and off.
Store lamps without damaging them
Store your lanterns by wrapping them around a bucket , garden hose reel , or even the box they came in. Using a larger object to wrap the lanterns will help prevent damage. This method will also help prevent the bulbs from getting tangled, which often causes the bulbs to be pulled out, causing the entire string to go out.
Ensure reliable connections
To prevent the plugs from coming apart, cover the connections with electrical tape or use Velcro. This will not only keep the display bright, but will also help reduce the risk of fire caused by partially connected cords. If the plugs are tightly connected, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that a loose extension cord won’t slowly heat up somewhere behind the couch.
Use solar options
For outdoor displays, consider using solar walkways with color-changing lights , solar fountains , and solar lanterns to add to your overall look. Solar lights don’t require batteries or cords, making them a low-maintenance option for adding colorful light to your yard.
Hide your sins with bows
Use ribbons and other embellishments to hide large, obvious hooks, forks, batteries and other items you don’t want included in your display. Make holiday bows to match your garlands and wreaths and attach them in areas where hanging accessories, Velcro ties, or cord connections are visible. You can add ribbon to garlands or other decorations before hanging them to avoid fiddling with it on the stairs.