Our Top Tips for Holiday Lighting

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. It's also a great time to show your holiday spirit with some festive lighting! Whether you're putting up a few lights outside or going all out with professional Christmas decorations, these tips will help you light up your home in style.

Year-Round Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting isn’t just for the holidays! Adding some decorative lights to your porch, walkway, or garden is a great way to add year-round ambiance and style. If you are planning on using them only during the holiday season, be sure to buy good quality lights that can withstand the elements.

However, if you do choose to invest in quality outdoors lighting year-round, you can easily swap out bulbs during the holidays for an easy festive makeover! Thus, consider adding in some new light fixtures that can be switched up for different seasons. 

Amp It Up With Holiday Lighting

If you're feeling extra festive this year, go all out with your holiday lighting. For maximum effect, try stringing lights along your roofline or in trees around your house. There's nothing quite like seeing thousands of twinkling lights as you drive down the street.

If you’re adding decorative lights to your roofline, make sure to balance with ground level lights, as well. Something as simple as wrapping bushes in front of the house or lighting up your front steps can really amp up your overall design. 

Tips and Tricks

When installing outdoor lighting for the holidays, remember these tips:

- Start with a plan! That way you’ll know how many lights you have and where you want to put them. 

- Measure during your planning stage. That means take note of the lengths of anything you plan on decorating. This could include windows, doorframes, fences, railings, etc.

- Make note of the location of the power source or extension cord. 

- Use an outdoor timer to make sure your lights come on at the right time each day.

- If you’re using plug-in lights, get extension cords in bright colors or that match your decor.

- Choose energy-efficient bulbs to reduce your electricity bill.

- Use zip ties to string up temporary lights on railings. They won’t leave a mark or damage your property!

Keep An Eye On Your Energy Bill

Holiday lighting can add up quickly when it comes to energy costs. Make sure you shop around for good deals and keep track of how much electricity your decorations are using by checking your utility bills. Again, a timer will help you get the most bang for your buck - make sure it’s set so the lights turn off around sunrise and come on at sunset. 

Key Considerations

When choosing holiday lighting, don’t forget these important considerations: safety, weatherproofing, and electrical safety standards. Be sure to buy lights that have been certified by an independent lab for compliance with applicable safety codes.

Safety First

It’s important to be safe when hanging lights. Use a ladder or other sturdy platform when reaching high places and make sure you have someone there to help in case of an emergency. Additionally, be careful to never overload your electrical outlets. Lights should always be connected into a ground fault interrupter outlet. This will help reduce the risk of shock and shortage. Be cautious using multiple extension cords to power-up your display. Too many can lead to circuit overload.

Easy Storing Tips

When the holidays are over, don’t just stuff your decorations into a box. Take time to properly store them so they’ll be in great shape next year. Wrap each string of lights around a piece of cardboard and put them in labeled plastic bins for safekeeping.

Professional Lighting

If you’re looking to really wow your guests this holiday season, consider hiring a professional lighting company. They will be able to help you choose the best lights for your budget and install them safely and securely.

When hiring a professional installer, be sure to ask them the following important questions to prevent problems later on:

• Are they fully insured?
• Are they OSHA compliant and certified?
• Do they use clips/hardware that won’t damage your home?
• Do they have any official lighting design training?
• Will they create a custom lighting plan for your property?
• Will they offer maintenance be throughout the season?
• How will they handle extra lights hanging off your gutter?
• Are they using LED bulbs/fixtures?

TrustDALE certifies local service providers to ensure you’re working with a reputable company. We can recommend reliable, expert lighting companies that provide outdoor lighting for all situations, including seasonal Christmas lighting.

Takeaways

Lighting up your home for the holidays is an easy way to show off your festive spirit. Whether you go all out or keep it simple, following these tips will help make sure that your lights look great and last through the season. 

If you are ready to get into the holiday spirit and brighten up your home’s exterior, professional lighting design and installation is the way to go. And when you use a TrustDALE certified professional, you're always protected by Dale's trademark $10,000 Make-It-Right Guarantee. So start looking for a trusted lighting professional in your area today. Have fun, get creative, and enjoy the holiday season!