Do you remember that breathtaking moment when you were a kid and the last string of outdoor lights was finally put into place -- and it was you who got to flip the switch? When the lights sprang to life, casting their cheery glow, you knew the holidays were really here!
You knew then just like you know now that Christmas lights brighten the season for you, your family, holiday guests, and passers-by!
These festive little luminaries add zing and take their inspiration from Mother Nature in a season when there's not always a lot of light or color left in the landscape.
So, twinkle, twinkle, now's the time to dress up your yard with these crafty, budget-friendly season brighteners!
When holiday decorating has you scrambling for inspiration that spreads the jolly, think outdoor Christmas lighting ideas!
A traditional display using incandescent lights can be made into an extra festive experience by using specialty lights.
The lights come in almost every color imaginable, including your standard white, and clear, and all one color, and with colors mixed.
And they can be made to blink, chase, or stay lit with options that are synchronized to flash and twinkle to any rhythm or flash in patterns and more!
But to get a look that really packs a punch, focus your efforts.
Design your outdoor Christmas lights by creating little vignettes, and you'll get more visual appeal than if the lights are installed willy nilly.
Outdoor animated christmas lights are extravagant and over the top in the best possible way.
Combine a few colors with animated features spread and over a large area.
Start your outdoor holiday decorating with a theme in mind. Having a unifying concept gives even the most modest light display a professional twist.
Don't be afraid of tunnel vision when planning your outdoor holiday decor. It's almost preferable.
Whether your theme consists of simple outdoor Christmas trees with lights or an animated old town celebration complete with trains on tracks that toot, and toy soldiers come to life, choose a theme and stay true to it.
No worries, it's really a matter of personal taste.
It's all about the ambiance of the season!
Christmas is probably the one time of year that you want your holiday outdoor decor to be the focus and steal the show.
I like to think of outdoor Christmas decorations as jewelry for the home. It's like a Christmas greeting card to the whole world!
And while you're dreaming up the scale of any single area, think about how close people will be when admiring your work.
Save the intricate details for your outdoor Christmas wreath and indoor Christmas crafts.
Large and simple makes sense for outdoor Christmas lights -- they'll be viewed from a distance at night.
LED outdoor Christmas lights help you create Christmas magic with fun shapes like snowflakes, starbursts, raspberries and strawberries.
And they're 90% more efficient than their old school tungsten counterparts.
They also last longer, and stay cool to the touch so the risk of injury or fire is lower. And their small size makes storage a snap.
Solar powered holiday lights save you time and hassle. They soak up the sun in the day, and automatically turn on at night.
Incandscent bulbs have that classic look, but they use more energy than LEDs. On the upside, these lights are more reliable. When one light stops working, all the others continue to shine.
To prepare yourself for the task of installation, identify the electrical outlets that will power your light displays.
If possible, use a switch-controlled outlet or plug to turn the lights on and off. Or for convenience, use an automatic timer to turn them on at dusk and off late at night.
Light strings come in lengths of 25 to 200 lights.
Trees and bushes need about 50 lights per foot of height. So, measure the length and height of every object in the yard where you'll string lights, including the bushes and trees. Then add 30 feet or so for good measure.
Use plastic light clips and gutter clips to hang outdoor Christmas lights along the eaves and around windows, securing them about 12 inches apart.
Always be careful, though.
Like any other electrical device, outdoor Christmas lights should be used with caution.
Before you start, look for damage like broken sockets, frayed wires and loose connections and avoid using any damaged strings altogether.
Make sure your lights are certified as safe for use outside.
Be sure to plug all outdoor electric decorations into an extension cord large enough to handle the intended load. The thicker the cord, the larger the amount of electricity it can carry.
Use surge protectors to safeguard your house and your family from harm.
And be sure to turn off the outdoor Christmas lights when you go to sleep or when you're away from the house.
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