Brighten the Season: Your Ultimate Guide to Holiday Lighting
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about holidays? If your answer was lighting, you’re in the right place.
Holiday lighting is bright and jolly, making the indoors and outdoors festive and cozy. And the best of all - you can use it in many ways to create decor unique to your style.
How to do it?
Stay with us as we break down the details, explaining the different types of lights and how to use them this holiday season. We also included a few tips to help you get the most out of your holiday lighting regardless of the type you go for.
The Importance of Proper Holiday Lighting
Proper holiday lighting can enhance the beauty and curb appeal of you property during the jolly season.
Depending on the type and style of lights, it can make it prettier, more put together, or more colorful and festive.
However, proper lighting is important because not all lights are suitable for the holiday season. This is especially true if you’re looking to decorate the outdoors, as you should look for weather-resistant lighting.
Evaluate Your Home's Exterior and Outdoor Spaces Before Deciding
There's a variety of holiday lighting options, and they can be overwhelming, so it’s best to start with a look around. A quick glance at your home’s exterior and outdoor spaces can help you decide which holiday lights and holiday lighting products you should use.
If you buy the lights first, you might have a hard time fitting them anywhere in your outdoor area. By evaluating the area first, you can visualize the idea you had in your mind, making it easier to decide on the right type of light.
Evaluating the outdoors first will also help you decide on the number of lights, the length of the cable, and other such things. And don’t forget to measure (or at least estimate) as well, including your fences, the height of your home, the length of your roof’s perimeter, etc.
Budget and Research Lights
The next step is to decide on the amount of money you’re willing to spend on this project. You can find lights that are both cheap and expensive, so it’s safe to say everyone can enjoy holiday lights no matter the budget. Nonetheless, it’s best to invest in lights and holiday lighting installation service that will guarantee your lights will last for years and not just a single holiday season.
Whatever your decision, it helps to have a set budget in mind just so you know what to plan for and what to buy.
Looking into the different lighting options is also a good idea. Researching holiday lights beforehand helps you learn all there is so that you can make an educated decision on what to spend your money on.
Incandescent Lights vs LED Lights
The first thing everyone will tell you is that incandescent lights are cheaper than LEDs, which is true. However, there’s more to this than just the initial cost, and when you break it down, you’ll see that you don’t really save any money by buying cheaper.
What do we mean by this? Well, high-quality LED lights are more expensive at the start, but they’re also more durable and likely to outlast any incandescent lights you have. On top of that, LEDs work well in cold temperatures, which is important for the holiday seasons, especially if you live in an area where the temperatures drop below zero.
They also now come in a wide variety of presentations, designs, and sizes that weren't possible before with just incandescent lights.
LEDs are also energy-saving. According to the Department of Energy, they are up to 90% more energy-saving than incandescent lights and last up to 25 times longer.
How Much Do You Need for an Outdoor Tree?
The trees we have in our backyards are typically the easiest to decorate during the holidays. They also look the best as well, so it’s a win-win. However, it’s sometimes hard to tell the number of tree lights you need for a tree. In most cases, a tree requires anywhere from 100 to 300 mini bulbs, depending on its size.
Here’s what you’ll need in more detail:
100 mini or 25C-sized bulbs (C3, C5, C6, C7 or C9) for a 4-foot tree
200 mini or 50 C-sized for a 6-foot tree
300 mini or 100 C-sized for an 8-foot tree
Common Types of Lights for the Holidays
There are many types of lights out there, but some are more used for holidays than others. You can use any type you like to bring your vision to life, but it doesn’t hurt to do a bit of research and see which lights work the best. A general rule of thumb is to always go for outdoor lighting that can endure harsh weather conditions to ensure your decorations will last.
Light Strings
String lighting or light strings, both mini and large, is a highly popular option during the holidays. These strings of light have a certain number of bulbs spread out on a cable you can wrap around a tree or hang up on the roof. They are also great to wrap around a fence, porch posts, and other similar objects in your yard.
Roofline Lights
Roofline lights are among the most commonly used for the outdoors because they look pretty, gentle, and stylish. They come in various colors and can be long enough, although in some cases, you might have to pair a few to go around the entire roofline.
LED Lights
As we mentioned above, LED lights are another common type you can easily find in any electronics store. They might be a little more expensive, but they’re long-lasting and can endure harsh weather conditions. Depending on the LED you choose, they can last from 50,000 to 200,000 hours, which means you won’t have to replace them mid-season.
Lit Wreaths
Lit wreaths are a great way to add a festive spirit to your house. They consist of lights, leaves, flowers, and other decorations, so you can find a range of colors and even sizes. Most people hang them on the door, but you can put them wherever you like.
Large-Bulb Lights
Large bulb lights are modern and festive, especially when you hang them in your garden or between trees. You can also add them on the roofline of your porch or anywhere else you want a touch of festive lighting. One thing to keep in mind is that these can be rather expensive due to how big they are.
Color Light Bulbs
There’s hardly anything more festive than color light bulbs with their wide range of colors. You can pick between a variety of color combinations, although the most popular are green, blue, red, and white. They often have several settings to turn the lights on and off at different times, creating an even more jolly look. Much like other bulbs, these are attached to a cable you can wrap around different posts and objects.
Bush Wraps
There’s more to holiday decorating than putting lights on your tree. In fact, decorating the bushes in your yard is among the best ways of bringing the holiday spirit to the outdoors. Bush wraps come in many sizes and colors, so you can choose based on your style as well as the size of the bush.
Icicle Lights
Icicle lights are good for the inside and outside of your home and come in various colors. You can put it on the roofline, on the porch, above your fireplace, on the fence, and in any other area where you see fit. In most cases, they look gentle and stylish, but they can also be very festive if you go for colored ones.
Light Show Projectors or Lasers
Light show projects and lasers are modern and highly popular among people who love decorating their homes. You can often see them in one of those neighborhoods that compete in who decorates their house the best. They can project different colors and shapes, such as snowflakes or just little dots, but other styles exist as well.
Light Fails? Here's What to Do
Lights can fail for many reasons, so whatever you do, make sure you’re approaching the problem with safety precautions in mind. Always ensure the lights are not plugged in when looking to fix them.
The most common fails are:
Blown fuse
Tripped circuit breakers
Burn out bulbs
If you have a burn-out bulb, you can easily fix the problem by replacing it. A blown fuse and a circuit that isn’t carrying power are a bit more complicated to fix. For this reason, it’s best to leave this to professionals if you don’t want to buy an entirely new set of holiday lights.
Holiday Light Storage Tips
Storing lights properly is important to ensure that they last a long time. This is especially the case for string lights and other types involving a long cable that can get tangled if stored improperly.
You Can Use a Bucket
Use a large plastic storage container for all your lights and holiday decorations. This helps keep them in one place, protected from dust and other elements. If you can, it would also help to separate decorations by type, so keep lights in one container and other decor in another container. Also, don’t forget to label each storage container and bucket.
Or Even Use a Hose Reel
Using a hose reel is an excellent way to store string lights. However, make sure not to store them too tightly, or you might break the cable. Also, it would help to cover the reel with something to protect the lights from dust and other elements.
Bags Aren't Fancy, But They're Useful
If everything else fails, you can always use a bag to store your lights. However, storing them neatly is important, so avoid just shoving everything inside a bag. Instead, use ribbons or elastics to wrap each light so that cables don’t get tangled with one another.
Use a Hanger For Your Wreath
Storing a wreath is a little challenging because of how easily it can break. To avoid any loose parts the next time you want to put the wreath up, it’s important to store it away safely. One of the best ways to store it is to hang it on a hanger and place a plastic bag over it to protect it from dust.
Tips for Outdoor Holiday Lighting
Holiday lighting is fun and easy to work with, but there are a few things to remember. A few tips can help you create the most festive look without too much effort, money, or time. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
Use Color-Changing Lights for Use All Year
Color-changing lights can go a long way, as they’re not intended for holidays only. You can use them all year round if you go for the right colors. For example, keeping red, blue, and green throughout the year might seem too festive for the summer. But you can change this with color-changing lights that allow you to use one color at a time.
Decide on Colorful or White Lights—Or Both
Colorful lights are great for the holidays, but there’s nothing wrong with using white if that’s more your style. Go back and forth and play with both styles to see what fits your aesthetic more. If you can’t decide, why not use both?
Make Sure They're Outdoor Lights When Using Outdoors
Outdoor lights are specifically made for outdoor. They’re more durable, resistant, and safe to use in winter conditions, whether it’s snow or rain. For this reason, avoid using any indoor lights outside and stick to those specially marked for use in outdoor spaces.
Extension Cords Should Also Be For Outdoors
You might have to use an extension cord depending on where you have power outlets. If that’s the case, make sure to use one that’s meant for outdoor use. Much like your lights, the extension cord will be exposed to different weather, so it’s important to ensure it can endure that.
Remote Control or Timers Are Your Friends for Holiday Lights
Having to go outside in the blistering cold to turn on your holiday lights is a big no. For this reason, it’s best to have a remote control or timer that turns the lights on and off at a certain time. This is especially useful if you tend to forget to turn your lights on.
Get a Light Bulb Tester
A light bulb tester is useful even during other seasons. It’s a common and inexpensive item you can buy at any hardware store to determine which bulb is the problem.
You Can Use Your Gutters to Hang Some Lights
Gutters are a great place to hang lights, and it’s easier than using only the edges of roofs, but make sure to get some help during the process. You’ll probably need a ladder, so ask someone to hold them when you hang the lights. For this, it’s best to use string or icicle lights.
Avoid Stringing Too Many Lights Together
Too much of anything is no good, and unless you’re competing to see who has the most holiday lights or spectacular holiday lighting display, you probably don’t need every type out there. Keep it festive but simple to ensure you’re not overdoing it with too many colors, shapes, and types of lights.
Use Clips or Hangers for Lights Instead of Nails
Nails are commonly used, but they can damage the facade, your tree, or any other area where you want to hang lights. Instead, you might want to use clips or hangers that won’t leave a hole after you remove them.
Don't Mix LED and Incandescent Lights When Decorating
LED and incandescent bulbs don’t go together because they’re not as visually appealing when mixed. You can certainly do it, but it often doesn’t look good. Plus, your LEDs will likely outlive the incandescent bulbs, leaving you with only some lights working.
Make a Hook for Putting Lights on Tall Trees
Use a long pole with a hook at the end to hang lights on tall trees. You can use any pole for this, but in most cases, a paint roller extension pole or a broomstick works the best. For a hook, you can use an old hanger to wrap around the pole.
Why a Professional Holiday Lights Installation Is the Safest Bet
Safer For You and Family
Professionals know how to install lights properly, and they have the right tools to ensure everything is running smoothly. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to call them instead of doing it yourself. This is especially true if you have a challenging setup or are unsure if some of your lights are working properly.
Design Experts
Experienced professionals will help you set everything up so that it looks aesthetically pleasing. The right design expert has the skill and the eye for detail to bring your vision to life.
Experience With Many Holidays
Professionals do this all the time and are constantly hired, especially for the holidays, so they know what and how to do holiday lighting to make your outdoor look as festive as possible.
Storage Made Easy
Once everything is over with, you can call the same professionals to remove all the lights. They will also give you advice on how to store your lights so that they’re ready for use next year.
Don't Worry About Maintenance
If you come across any lights that aren’t working, professionals can help fix or replace them. The right team has the right tools, so make sure you ask if they do maintenance as well as holiday light installation.
Summary
Holiday lighting will bring the holiday cheer and festive season to your outdoors as easily as it does indoors. Even if you're not trying to outshine the rest of the houses in the neighborhood, we suggest you try several types of outdoor holiday lighting to make your home look jolly and inviting. However, outdoor lighting is a tad more challenging due to harsh weather conditions, which is why it’s always best to work with experienced lighting professionals who know how to install, maintain, and remove these lights safely.