Outdoor Christmas Light Hanging Basics for Newbies

If one of your favorite childhood memories about Christmas was riding through neighborhoods in your area and noticing all of the pretty lights, now that you’re a homeowner, how about hanging some of your own? Although initially it might sound like a complicated task, the reality is if you follow a few simple steps, you can have your house looking like you’re a pro at outdoor holiday decor.

So if you’d like some outdoor Christmas light hanging tips, here are some that will bring about some absolutely amazing results.

Select the best kind of lights. Before you can hang your lights, you first have to choose the best kinds to use. If you want your home to have an elegant holiday look, opt for all-white bulbs. If you want to be eco-friendly, use LEDs instead of incandescent ones; they conserve more energy and last longer, too. And if you want to use lights that will show up well in trees, go with lights that say C7 or C9 on the box. They are larger than standard ones.

Get a quality ladder. If you plan on outfitting your entire home with lights, including your roof and gutters, you’re going to need a ladder. If you can’t remember the last time you used the one that’s been collecting dust in your garage, invest in a new one. For tips on how to purchase the right kind of ladder for your needs, visit Lowe’s and put “how to choose the right ladder” in the search field.

Hide all of the cords. There’s a pretty good chance that at least a couple of cords are going to show after you’re done hanging all of your lights. The key is to do all that you can to make them blend into their surroundings. So when it comes to the lights in your trees and shrubs, go with green cords and if you happen to be hanging lights against a white house or white shutters, use white cords. The same rule goes for extension cords. Speaking of cords, also check to see if they are frayed or torn. If they are, get some new ones. Otherwise, you put yourself at risk for electrical shock.

Use some light clips. Say that you decided to go to a store like WowLights Productions in order to get the kind of Christmas lights that are set to music. If you’re wondering what you should do to keep your lights in place on your gutters, roof, and windows, you can purchase what are known as light clips. They are a great way to string your lights and hold everything in place. You can pick some up at your local home improvement store or online at Christmas Lights Etc.

Get a ground fault circuit interrupter. When you’re planning on hanging Christmas lights, there’s one more thing that you should consider doing: purchasing a ground fault circuit interrupter. That way, you can limit the amount of cords that you use and also potentially save on energy costs as well. Do take note that you will need a certified electrician to assist you with this particular task. For tips on how to find a good electrician in your area, visit Red Beacon and put “find a good electrician” in the search field.