Outdoor Christmas Decorating Tips

A State of Mind You can be commander-in-chief of your Christmas decorations, or you can approach it as the last man standing. The external forces of Mother Nature can disrupt internal forces and transform holiday decorating from a peaceful endeavor to a frustrating entanglement. Choose a decorating day when the wind is calm, temperatures are moderate, and the sun is shining. Devise a Plan Use Christmas decorations stored in the garage. Test bulbs and wiring, and make all Christmas ornament repairs before you begin. Decide on a theme and create a placement blueprint. Common to most themes are Christmas lights, Christmas tree decorations, and Christmas wreaths. Focus on two or three focal points that will pull your theme together. Taking Precautions Use multi-outlet extension cords with inline outlets spaced at 8-foot intervals along the length of the cord. This simplifies decorating and eliminates multiple extension cords that pose fire hazards. Put Christmas lights on a timer, or purchase Christmas lights with built-in timers to reduce utility bills. Purchase a storage system early in the season so it is available when Christmas yard decorations are dismantled.

Safety and Efficiency
For outdoor decorating, use only UL Approved weatherproof outdoor Christmas lights. Purchasing higher-priced, energy-saving LED Christmas lights rather than inexpensive C6, C7, and C9 Christmas lights, saves 90% on utility bills, and LED Christmas lights burn up to 200,000 hours. Purchase Christmas lights with straight-line construction - if one light burns out, the rest keep working. Christmas lights with tangle-resistant wire provide hassle-free storage and unwinding.

Seeing the Light
Light creates magic. Use large Christmas decorations to fill large spaces in yards; use small Christmas decorations on doors, windows, and outdoor walls. Large lighted displays such as giant snowmen decorations can remain on display throughout the winter months.

Outline your home in a show of lights, or accessorize with lights on trees and shrubs or with hanging light accents. Use pre-lit artificial or wire-framed trees, and always shine lights on outdoor nativity scenes. When decorating pillars and lampposts, wrap garland and lights together. An easy way to install lights on trees is to wrap lights around tree bases and up the branches.