Install Your Christmas Lights like a Pro
Monday, November 23rd, 2015
‘Tis the season to spread holiday cheer all over the front of your house! But whether you want to go full Griswold, or be slightly more sedate, there are a few steps you can take that’ll make your display look better, and go up with a minimum of profanity.
Start Small
If you’re not well versed in the art of making a neighbour envy-inducing display of colourful delights, don’t go overboard. Pick a few manageable areas to decorate – say, one tree and your front porch – to keep it classy and strategic. You can ramp it up next year.
Make a Plan
From the minute you crack open your Rubbermaid tub of tangled lights, you’re probably going to be thinking about the craft IPA you’ll crack open when it’s all done, but that’s no reason to rush headlong into stringing the lights. Long run, you’ll save yourself time and aggravation if you make a plan first. Decide which lights you want where, and measure the space, then measure the distance between the lights; with this information, you can determine both how many and what kind of clips you’ll need to properly secure your lights, and can have everything on hand. Plus, you won’t find a string is too short unexpectedly.
Test on the Ground
Before hanging any lights, test each string and replace any burnt out bulbs. It’ll be a whole lot easier to deal with problems here than when they’re attached to your house.
Play it Safe
Use a properly sized ladder to reach high areas like eavestroughs and trees; don’t balance precariously on one that’s too small. Wear boots with good grips, and make sure you clear any ice from your ladder before climbing it. Use extension cords rated for outdoor, cold weather use and never plug in a power cord that’s frayed or has exposed wires. And be careful not to overload your breaker (although with LED lights this is no longer an issue).
There are few things as heartwarming as wandering your neighbourhood with the kids on a December evening to look at Christmas lights. Do your part to spread that holiday cheer!
Looking for a new place to hang your lights? It’s a great time to buy – contact me today!
