Christmas is coming, and I know a lot of you are already stressing about decorations and Christmas lights. Well, worry not! On the Christmas lights part, we got you all covered up. In this article, I will show you how to hang Christmas lights on your outdoor spaces safely and securely to make your home shine bright with the colors of LED Christmas lights.
Photo from shutterstock
What You'll Need
Here is a list of things that you are going to need:
Equipment/Tools:
- Camera or smartphone
- Ladder
- Measuring tape
Materials:
- Plastic light clips
- Plastic zip ties
- Outdoor extension cord
Instructions
1. Take a Picture of Your House
The first step, before starting any practical part like insulation, is to stand outside and take pictures of your house using your camera or smartphone. Take pictures of all sides and from different distances. This gives you some perspective on how your house looks to neighbors and passersby. And hence, you will have some ideas about which places are better to hang Christmas lights.
Photo from shutterstock
2. Measure Where the Lights Will Hang
Secondly, after deciding where to hang the Christmas string lights, take the measurements of that area. Use a measuring tape to determine the width and height of the area you've chosen. Write down your readings. If you do not want to use a ladder, you can just measure the width at the base of your house.
Photo from shutterstock
3. Ensure Lights Are for Outdoor Use
Now that you have your measurements, it is time to pick your Christmas string lights. When shopping for twinkling Christmas lights, it's essential to ensure they are specifically designed for outdoor use. Also, it would be good if you also look for the “UL” label on the box, as this label shows that the lights have been tested for safety by the Underwriters Laboratories.
4. Buy Plastic Light Clips
Plastic light clips are handy and useful. They will definitely help you with this project. Thankfully, they are affordable and high-quality. After you are done, you can collect them and store them for the next season.
Photo from shutterstock
5. Test Your Lights Before Hanging
So, you shopped for your LED Christmas lights, made sure that they are durable, and now they are in your possession. What you should do next is to test all the lights that you bought. If there is a defect in any of them, return them to the seller.
Photo from Ollny Customer
6. Attach the Clips to the Strings
Attach the clips to the string lights or rope lights, making sure that there is a space of 6 to 12 inches between every clip and the next.
Photo from shutterstock
7. Collect Excess Wire for Even Spacing
After you hang the Christmas string lights, you might find that there is some extra wire. To handle that, you can wrap the string lights loosely around the unused clips. Roll the wire to make sure the lights are evenly distributed. This will give them a tidy appearance.
Photo from shutterstock
8. Add Grounded Power Stakes
Remember, this is not just about hanging LED Christmas lights; it is about safely hanging them. For that, use a grounded power stake, as they are designed to provide multiple outlets for outdoor use safely, thereby reducing any electrical hazards. You can drive them into the ground at the location you desire.
Photo from shutterstock
9.Attach Lights With Plastic Zip Ties
This step is an extra security if you live in a place with high winds, snow, or storms. These weather conditions can bring down your Christmas string lights after you spent all the effort to construct them carefully. To prevent that, secure your Christmas lights firmly in place using plastic zip ties.
Photo from shutterstock
10. Turn on the Lights
Bring an extension cord suitable for outdoor use, then plug in the last cord. After that, plug the extension cord into an outdoor electricity outlet (one that you can control with a switch). The last step is the most rewarding: turn the lights on and enjoy the twinkle of your Christmas string lights.
Photo from shutterstock
Conclusion
When the matter is related to string lights and electricity, then there is no doubt that security is of utmost importance. Following this guide step by step should allow you to hang your Christmas string lights securely and give you a better chance at enjoying an incident-free Christmas.
Photo from shutterstock
➡️ Buyer's Guide: Ollny LED Christmas Lights
➡️ How to Choose the Best Outdoor Christmas Lights This Holiday Season
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