Get in the seasonal mood by hanging Christmas lights on various trees around your home and learn the best time and method for installation and storage with helpful advice from Tree Soldiers experts.
Timing is everything
Timing is everythingTime your installation in advance to avoid the cold and additional hazards that can occur when the ground is frozen or covered with snow. Late fall is ideal for hanging Christmas lights after deciduous trees have lost their leaves and before outdoor temperatures drop.
What type of lighting is best?
To avoid damage, electrical problems, and personal injury, make sure your lights are certified for outdoor use. LED lights are the preferred choice because they are more energy efficient than incandescent lights, have a longer lifespan, and come in a variety of color options. Look for bulbs with bulbs at least 6-8 inches apart to provide a greater amount of light over a larger area.
How to hang Christmas lights
You will need:
✓ Ladder
✓ Outdoor lighting
✓ Outdoor extension cord with ground circuit breaker protection for protection against electric shock
✓ Twine and/or gardener’s tape
Plan ahead
Decide how many lights you need and the type of look you want to achieve. White is a good choice if you want to light up all year round, while multicolored strands or solid colors add a sense of the season. If you use colored light bulbs, choose a color that goes well with the exterior of your home and use a unified palette.
Choose your tree
Plan how many lights you want to buy and choose the best trees in your yard to achieve your goals. Start with a focal point, which can be the tallest tree or a tree with an interesting shape. Work from there and select additional trees or shrubs to complete the look. Be mindful of proximity to a power source.
Lighting test
Lighting testCheck each light strand before going outdoors so you don’t waste time installing damaged or burnt lights.
Find an assistant
Make safety a priority and find an assistant to stabilize the ladder as you climb to reach higher branches.
Start from the bottom
The best way to hang your Christmas lights is to start by securing an extension cord to the base of the tree from the bottom up. Limit the number of strands in the tree to three to avoid overloading the outlet. For a more polished look, start wrapping the trunk and work your way up, leaving an even gap between each loop.
Safe lighting
Use twine or gardening tape or thread or use twine or gardening tape to secure the ends of light string and avoid using wires that may cause damage or injury.
Storage tips
The following storage tips can save you time and hassle.
Wrap the lights around a plastic hanger that runs end-to-end and tie the tail end around the hanger loop.
Place the notches on one side using sturdy cardboard. From there, start wrapping the lights and continue along the length of the cardboard, tucking the ends in when you’re done.
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