Five Proven Tips For Setting Up Holiday Lights
Can you hear that folks? No, it's not the sound of sleigh bells ringing or elves making toys in a faraway land. In fact, it's not even the sound of snow flakes falling! That's still another month or so away, fortunately.
Instead, what you're hearing is the sound of old, decrepit holiday lights clanging together in the garage. And yes, the time for change (and preparation) is now, before the cold of winter sets in and willpower goes out the window. Because embellishing your yard and home with holiday lights can be a tricky undertaking, especially when it's cold and snowy. Before you grab a ladder and start stringing your holiday lights, take a few tips from our Ottawa Christmas lighting experts and keep the following guidelines and precautions in mind.
Planning is Important
A high functioning Ottawa Christmas lighting design requires lots of planning and enthusiasm. It's the holiday season, so it really should be fun. In order to get your creative juices flowing, take an evening and really look at your house from the street. Consider where and how you'd like to light your home to look. Make note of any eaves, pillars, posts, windows, or other architectural features that could be worth accenting. Next, make note of any bushes, trees, window boxes, planters or paths that could benefit from a little extra light. You might even want to take a few pictures in order to have a visual handy throughout the design process. Go to love the mobile phone cameras!
Remember to Balance Things Out
Everyone and their uncle hang Ottawa Christmas lights on their roofline. However, very few people think to balance this out by adding lighting elements down below. Our professional Ottawa Christmas lighting elves always recommend balancing your outdoor display with some subtle path lighting. This helps to flesh out the entire scene, providing a more aesthetically pleasing final design.
Assess and Ensure Your Safety
Before you tackle your Ottawa Christmas lighting design, make sure to check that all of your lights and cords are in good working condition and rated for outdoor use. What's more, never connect different types of lights on the same circuit as this could cause a short and a potential Clark Griswold moment. When hanging your lights, always be cautious and never work without a helping hand or spotter. Avoid decorating trees that touch power lines and always stay away from the top rung of the ladder. No one wants to spend the holiday season in the emergency room!
Don't Forget About Your Backyard
Planning to host a holiday party or two during the Christmas season? Then don't forget to decorate your backyard as well. Whether you're enjoying a glass of eggnog indoors and looking out into the yard, or participating in an impromptu snowball fight, backyard lighting will help illuminate the space and extend your festive feeling even further.
Measure Accordingly
If you want to save yourself hours of frustration, invest in a measuring tape and spend a few minutes mapping out just how many lights you're going to need. If you're not sure how to estimate the amount of lighting that you'll need for your trees, our Ottawa Christmas lighting design experts recommend multiplying the height by the width, then doubling that to figure out the approximate square footage. It's a can't-lose service!
