Tips for Christmas lights: Buying, Decorating, and Organizing

What are the Holidays without holiday lights? Christmas lights have a reputation of being a hassle. However, holiday lights have changed! The nightmares of Christmases past have largely been resolved due to LED technology. From Everything Outdoors Holiday Division's many years of experience here are our illuminating tips.

  1. Make a plan: This plan does not need to be elaborate. Ask yourself: Do I want my lights in a select few spots or everywhere? Do I want a classic look or a more modern look? Do I want my lights to be subdued or showy? Once those questions are answered, then measurements are taken. For example, a 10-foot rail may need 16 feet of lights if your plan is to wrap it tightly so the lights appear fuller and are close together. Then you choose a color scheme for your property's lights.
  2. Choose your bulb: Depending on the bulbs you decided to use it can change the entire look of your residential home or commercial building. Traditional incandescent lights evoke cozy memories for many with their soft and warm glow. However, over the years LEDs vibrant lights have come a long way. These lights use less electricity, stay cool to the touch, are longer-lasting, and come in a large variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and finishes. Whether you select the more traditional option or LED lights, it is best to not mix the two in one display. Not only will the lights aesthetically clash, but you may experience some power issues.
  3. Decide how much you want to spend: Traditional incandescent lights are sold at a lower price than LED lights and outdoor-specific or commercial-grade lights will cost more. Keep in mind that although incandescent lights are less expensive to buy, they use significantly more electricity and don't last nearly as long as LED lights do. Even though the LED lights are a bit pricier, they come with a lot of pros, these lights are energy-efficient and typically last up to five seasons.
  4. Know your power: As it was said before, the biggest difference between Incandescent and LED lights is the amount of energy used. Keep track of what outlets are available for use and determine what else in the home is being powered by said circuit.
  5. Store lights properly: You may have your own preferred way to keep your lights organized when they are not in use. We suggest wrapping your Holiday lights in a circular pattern or rolling them into a ball.
  6. Make memories: In the end, it does not matter what design is chosen. Christmas lights brighten the holidays and spread joy far beyond your property.