Getting your Christmas lights tangled is an inevitable part of the season, much like baking and eating your first batch of gingerbread cookies. I assure you, though, that putting up spectacular Christmas lights www.myeverlights.org need not consume your entire Saturday. Here are some practical pointers to help you save time (and sanity) amidst all the mayhem.
Run through all of the tests first. Before you even consider scaling a ladder, make sure to plug in every strand. Nobody likes to find out halfway down the roof that a huge section is off-limits. Accompany that with a package of replacement bulbs. You can always count on one blown bulb to remain hidden until the entire fixture is mounted.
Act like a mastermind. Even if it’s only a doodle on a receipt, plan it out. What stores do you have? What is the length of each string? To stay away from the “extension cord spaghetti” syndrome, it’s helpful to draw things out.
A little secret: light clips work far better than staples or nails. They are fast, inexpensive, and won’t ruin the appearance of your siding by January. Plus, when the time comes to remove them, your future self will not curse your name.
Start at the top and work your way down. Working your way down the house, beginning at the roofline, you will eventually reach the bushes or trees. So, why try to defy gravity? Just let whatever falls to the ground. On your way back down, fix it.
Sections should be large. Instead of laying out all one hundred feet at once, unroll and spread your strands in ten-foot sections. You won’t have to play Twister with five pounds of extension cord and yourself anymore thanks to this end to the famous Christmas light limbo.
Bring in the pros. Get yourself a friend or entice the kids with hot cocoa; it’s worth it. Supporting one another with ladders, untangling strands, and yelling “a little to the left!” doesn’t feel like work. Plus, you’re covered in terms of security.
Keep timings in mind. At midnight, nobody wants to get out of bed and unplug the lights. Connect timers. Just like last year, you can set them to make your home energy efficient and show off your impeccable taste to your neighbors.
Keep off the ice and rain for now. You can’t use hospital bills as decorations. To avoid rain, hold the gathering indoors with hot cocoa.
After the season is over, organized storage will be your best friend. Pinch each set between two pieces of cardboard, place in an appropriately labelled box, and prepare to be pleasantly surprised next December.
Above all—enjoy yourself. Once all the lights are turned on, take a picture while laughing at the knots and listening to some oldies. When the lights are tucked away, that’s what will stick with you.