Outdoor Christmas light decorations are beautiful and worth the effort it takes to hang them. Precautions should be taken with outlets, overloads, extension cords, and UL listed lighting. Select the type of lights that work best and know the amount of outside Christmas lights needed before beginning.
Outdoor Christmas Lighting
Before purchasing outdoor Christmas lights, measure the house, garage, and any other building where lights will be hung. Count the number of bushes, trees, and posts as well. Using a measuring tape, preferably 30 feet or longer, measure the house, taking special consideration for porches, windows, and doors that lights will be hung on.
Check for any outdoor outlets that can be used to plug in lights. Avoid running extension cords through windows and doors to plug into indoor outlets. Only use heavy duty extension cords rated for outdoor use. Consider purchasing an outdoor ground stake with extra outlets and a timer or remote control.
Types of Exterior Christmas Lights
With so many different types of lights on the market it can be hard to choose which type will best suit a house and its landscaping. Keep in mind house shape, type of house, landscape, neighborhood, and distance from the road when purchasing lights. Some types of Christmas lights are:
- mini-lights
- string lights
- C7
- C9
- LED
- net lights
- tree wraps
- icicle lights
Lights also come in several different variations such as: flashing, twinkling, sequential, blinking, alternate blinking, and in an array of colors. Keep in mind the shape of the house when purchasing lights. Icicle lights may not be the best choice on an A-frame home. Nor can mini-lights be seen as well as C9 lights if the home is located far from the main road.
Hanging Outdoor String Lights
When hanging outdoor Christmas lights, it is best to purchase shingle tabs or gutter clips. Shingle tabs are made to slip underneath shingles where lights can be strung through. If the tab does not feel secure simple fold and slide back in for a snugger fit. Gutter clips attach to the gutter with ease and hold C9 lights secure. Shingle clips and gutter tabs can both be placed under gutters, if desired.
Net lights are the easiest to hang. These lights are simply draped over shrubs and bushes with little effort. Tree wraps used for tree trunks are easily hung as well. Don't overload circuits and check to make sure the lights are UL listed for outdoor use.
Outside Christmas Light Decoration Tips
Exterior Christmas lights should be inspected before hanging. Look for broken bulbs, cuts in wires, and outside outlets to make sure they are working properly. Attach lights securely to last throughout the holiday season's weather with little upkeep.
Read package directions carefully when stringing lights together. Do not overload circuits by plugging too many lights together. Keep a close watch on indoor lighting when Christmas lights are turned on. If indoor lighting dims, the circuits are overloaded and the lights need to be plugged into several different outlets for safety. After Christmas, look for Christmas lights on sale for next year's decorations.
Sources:
“Tips for Hanging Christmas Lights.” Home Tips.com (accessed October 8, 2010).
Annette Phillips - Annette Phillips is the Topic Editor for Natural Disasters. Phillips is also the author of Willow's Ride and a licensed Cosmetologist.
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