Oh, Christmas lights—the ultimate holiday glow-up. They bring the enchantment, the cheer, and, perhaps, a bit of ladder-induced dread. However, with the appropriate attitude, you can transform your home into a holiday masterpiece, one clip and cord at a time. Get the facts about this topic!
Let us start at the top—the roofline.
Standing in your yard, holding a strand of lights in one hand and cocoa in the other? You are almost there. All-purpose clips are your best friend because they can be used on both shingles and gutters, keeping the lights in place without causing damage to your home. Tip: Instead of preclipping the strand, clip it as you go. It maintains the appropriate tension and aligns the bulbs.
PSA: Always use a strong ladder, and better yet, have a buddy spot you. Falling from a roof isn’t on anyone’s Christmas wish list.
Now to the trees.
Trees can be difficult, but they are completely worth it. Start at the trunk and spiral up, wrapping evenly as if you were decorating the largest candy cane ever. Use a light-hanging pole to save your neck (literally), and use larger bulbs for tall trees to make them stand out from the roadway.
When wiring, it’s important to consider the wattage. Overloading your circuit might damage more than just your lights. To ensure weather protection, use outdoor-rated extension cords, elevate your connections off the ground, and encapsulate everything with electrical tape.
Uncle Joe’s pro tip: “Don’t hang lights in the snow unless you enjoy frozen toes and tangled tempers.”
Timers are the finishing touch—keep your lights shining on time without having to rush out in your slippers.
If done correctly, your light display will not only sparkle but also stop traffic (in a good manner). Get out there and let your festive enthusiasm show!