Tips for Hanging Your Outdoor Christmas Lights

The holiday season is nearly here and many of us are getting the itch to make our homes “merry and bright.” But before your visions for decking out your home start dancing in your head, check out these tips on how to hang your Christmas lights like a pro.

1. Plan your light display.

When it comes to hanging your outside lights, resist the urge to simply “wing it.” Instead, spend some time coming up with a lighting display game plan. Start with a focal point like your entryway, and go from there. Here are some commonly decorated areas:

• Columns, posts, and deck railings

  
  

• Bushes, hedges, and trees

  
  

• Fences, driveways, and pathways

  
  

• Windows, door frames, and other architectural features

  
  

• Window boxes and planters

  
  

• Rooflines or eaves

  
  

Keep it simple and stunning:

• Planning to light up the bushes on your front lawn? Try using net lights. Simply lay them over the bush, and voila!

  
  

• Consider using icicle lights to provide visually stunning lighting on the eaves of your roof. Just be sure to cluster them together. If stretched too far apart, you’ll lose the look you’re going for.

  
  

Determine how many lights you’ll need to wrap around your outdoor trees by using this handy reference chart:Source:  christmaslightsetc.com

2. Prepare your lights.

• Measure the area you plan to decorate and make sure you have enough lights.

  
  

• Ensure your lights and extension cords are approved for outdoor use. 

  
  

• Test your lights to make sure they work and discard any frayed or damaged light strings. These are a safety hazard and could ruin your entire lighting design.

  
  

• Group your lights by color and plug them in before hanging to ensure they match. There can be a lot of variation in color–even among white lights—due to the light type (LED versus incandescent), age, and manufacturer.

  
  

• Gather the kind of clips you’ll need to hang your lights.

  
  

3. Follow light safety guidelines.

• Ensure your outdoor outlets are equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). This will help prevent electrocution in areas where water and electricity might meet. A GFCI outlet has “test” and “reset” buttons. If you don’t see these indicators, you should upgrade your outlets.

  
  

• Don’t connect more than three strings of incandescent lights. If you're using LED lights, check the packaging for an indication of how many strings you can safely connect.

  
  

• Keep light and extension cord connections dry by placing them off the ground and using conduit and waterproof cord covers.

  
  

If you can’t afford to hire a professional to string your lights, be sure to follow these ladder safety tips:

About Cormack Construction

Cormack Construction is an award-winning design-build company located in Madison, New Hampshire. We provide home remodeling, construction, and furniture restoration and repair services throughout Northern and Central New Hampshire and Western Maine. For further information, visit our website.