Best Ways to Hang Outdoor Christmas Lights

If you've ever dangled precariously off a ladder in attempts to hang outdoor Christmas lights, then you are not alone. Millions of people every year attempt to hang strands of Christmas lights outdoors only to find that the end result is usually not worth all the effort. There are a few simple tips that will help you create a warm and welcoming Christmas theme for your yard without having to spend hours and hours on a wobbly ladder hanging Christmas lights.

Minimal Lighting is Best

Popular Christmas movies often show neighbors competing to see who has the most outlandish Christmas display in their yard. Surprisingly, most people probably do not even find such extravagant displays to be visually appealing. Simple and minimal lighting often makes a bigger statement, and the Christmas decorating process is often easier and more attainable. When decorating outdoors for the Christmas season, try to focus on a small area that will be the focal point of your yard. Of course, that doesn't mean that you only need to decorate one tree, but it might mean that you only need to decorate a few places in your landscape rather than your entire yard.

Hang Outdoor Lights Using Small Nails

Almost every method for hanging lights that does not include the use of small nails is a failed attempt. Tacks, masking tape, and duct tape might work on some things, but on outdoor Christmas lights, these items tend to fail miserably. For the best results in hanging Christmas lights, use a tiny nail in between the small twisted light cords. To ensure that the light strand is not damaged, hammer the nail and then weave the light cords between the nails. You certainly don't want to puncture one while hammering. Nails provide the support and balance that outdoor Christmas lights require. Due to winter weather conditions and windy days, Christmas lights will only hang well when a nail is used to secure the light strands.

Christmas Lights Can be Hung Within Reach

Outdoor Christmas lighting doesn't have to be tall to be effective. Remember, your goal is to create a focal point with your lighting, so don't hang lights everywhere. Otherwise, your house will look like the candy land house and guests won't even know where to look. Hang your Christmas lights in areas that are most visible and then used lighted candles in the windows. One of the most effective lighting techniques is to hang and wrap Christmas lights around medium height trees and bushes that don't require the use of a ladder. These keeps the bulk of the lighting at eye level, and you can use the lighted candlesticks in the windows to provide added symmetry to the Christmas décor. Don't hesitate to use a spotlight because this will bring attention to the front of your house, and minimal light strands can be used to accentuate a few bushes.