Five Easy Steps for Hanging Holiday Lights

One of the first signs that the holidays are nearing are the beautiful lights that people hang to make their homes more festive. Hanging lights and other decorations doesn't need to be difficult as long as you spend a few minutes planning in advance.

Step One: Take a few moments to consider what you'd like your finished look to be. All white with lots of icicle lights, multi-colored, flashing or still, subtle or eye-popping? This is also a good time to check with your community to see what restrictions they might have on holiday lighting and decoration.

Take a look at any architectural aspects of your home that you'd like to highlight as well as any existing architectural lighting and develop your holiday lighting around them.

Also be aware that as pretty as icicle lights are, they have a tendency to blow up into your gutters during inclement weather, and you might find yourself taking out the ladder to pull them out more often than you'd like during the holiday season.

Step Two: Holiday lighting can be purchased anywhere from your local home improvement store, department store, or discount store, or even through the mail. Just be sure that any lighting you purchase is approved by the Underwriters Laboratory. If you don't already have lighting, you'll need to go buy it. It's not a bad idea to shop around a bit, as pricing for like items can vary widely from store to store.

If you've already got lighting, take an inventory of what you've got, and determine if there are any lights that need to be replaced, or if you'd like to add on additional items. If you'll be buying it for the first time, it's a good idea to measure the areas you plan on lighting so you can be sure you'll be buying enough lights. This is also the time to make sure you have adequate extension cords, ladders if you'll be hanging lighting high enough to need them, and something to hang the lights with. 3-M makes a peel and stick clip, and there are also gutter and shingle clips available.

Step Three: Take each strand of lights and plug them in to test them, even if they are brand new. It's very frustrating--not to mention time consuming--to get your lights up, only to realize that they don't work. Replace any burnt out bulbs and untangle as needed. Also untangle your extension cords. Lay net lighting out on a flat surface.

Step Four: Begin hanging your lights. If you need to use a ladder or get on the roof to do so, make sure you've got someone else helping who will remain on the ground in case of an accident. If your roof is very steeply pitched or high, you might want to consider hiring a professional to hang your lights.

Lay the lights out on the ground to make sure they are the right length to fit the area you'll be hanging them on before you start putting them up. That way if they are too long or short, you can adjust your spacing.

Step Five: Make any adjustments and if you've got extension cords visibly hanging, you can wrap them in garland. Put away your ladder and any tools you've used, make some hot cocoa and enjoy the holidays.