Hang Holiday Lights From Your Eavestrough This Season

It's almost the 25th… of November, that is! That means the holiday season is rapidly approaching, and homeowners are beginning to think about all the ways they can make their properties sparkle and shine this festive season. Think Las Vegas meets the North Pole!

There's always been something special about holiday lights in Ottawa that bring a certain festive cheer to any neighbourhood. While look and feel are two key parts of a winning lighting display, it's also important to know the mechanics of Christmas light installation in order to decorate with care and safety. Safety first, we always say here at Christmas Décor. It's what Santa would want, after all. Read on to learn how your home can easily become a beacon of beauty and good cheer this holiday season!

Measure The Gutters

The first thing you'll want to do before you even purchase your holiday lights is to measure the areas that you would like to decorate. This will help you figure out how many lights you'll need to purchase, and how far apart you'll want to place your lights. Measure the base of your home to do this, to avoid the hassle of moving a ladder all the way around your house. Or better yet, you could call in the professionals at Christmas Décor to do this for you!

Pick the right lights for your home

Christmas lights come in all shapes and sizes. You need to decide what style is best for you before beginning your Christmas light installation for the year. There are C9 bulbs, or "retro bulbs," which have slightly larger bulbs (3" high). Or if you want smaller ones, C7 may be a better option, though they still measure 2.5" tall.

Icicle lights are always a great option, too. These strands hang from the gutters to give the appearance that glittering icicles are adorning your roof.

Begin in the center

When you begin hanging your lights, begin in the center of the gutter. From there, you can begin clipping one side all the way across, then move to the other. Make sure that your plugs are lined up correctly. You don't want two prongs next to one another, and be sure that your receptacles and plugs line up to avoid redoing work.

Look for outlets

Look for the outlet into which you'll plug your holiday lights. Some older homes don't have exterior outlets. Don't worry! Grab your exterior rated extension cord and run it through to an interior outlet. This may go through a window or under a garage door. If you need to run the cord through the window, you can block the cold from getting through with tape and insulation.

Get a timer

It's useful to get a timer for your holiday lights to avoid wasting energy. Many homeowners run their lights from dusk until around eleven pm or midnight. You can, of course, keep your lights on all night if you'd prefer to add these to your security and safety lighting system, or to make sure that Santa doesn't miss them if he's running a bit late.

Check your lights

Once the lights are installed, it's time to turn them on and enjoy their splendor! Check for dead bulbs and crooked strands when doing so. You can then make any adjustments to ensure your lights are to your taste!

Beat the Christmas rush this year and book your consultation for Christmas light installation with Christmas Decor Ottawa now!