“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” I’m sure that these lyrics are playing in the heads of just about everyone who lives in the residential communities of Jacksonville and Nocatee. But isn’t it the most wonderful time of the year? This is the time of the year when the weather is cooler. This is the time of the year when carolers roam the street signing our favorite Christmas tunes. This is the time of the year when schools are closed and work is shutdown; this is the time of the year when we spend that quality family time we missed during the other 11 months. This is the time of the year when we gaze in awe at the beauty of Christmas lights.
Here are some tips for hanging outdoor Christmas lights for the do-it-yourself people out there. With these tips and steps, you will not only be gazing in awe at your neighbors Christmas lights but your own, too.
• Planning Comes First
You should never jump into anything without a plan. You first want to decide how you are going to go about your design. Some quick planning should help you do the trick. Some things to think about while planning are: the quantity and style of lights that you are going to need/want, the surface that you are going to be hanging lights from, other miscellaneous materials like an extension cord and light clip that you may need, and measuring to ensure that everything is going to fit correctly.
• Preparing Your Lights
Reading instructions is never fun, but it usually will help us to get things done quickly and the right way. So for this reason, you first want to make sure that you read the installation instructions. This will help to ensure that you safely and correctly install your Christmas lights. While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to make sure that all the lights are facing the right direction.
• Testing, Testing
Once your lights are prepared, it is a good idea to test them to see if they are working correctly. This is a good time for a mock run. Test all of your sets of lights before you attempt to hang them up (this will save you a lot of time). This is the time to test for color and brightness, among other things.
• Installing the Goods
Finally, you’ve planned, you’ve prepared, you’ve tested; it’s time for action! When installing Christmas lights, you’ll need a ladder, an extension cord, light clips, and most importantly a spotter. It’s always a good idea to have a helper down below when you’re on a ladder and hanging things from a roof or any high surface. Remember, safety first!
• Enjoying Your Masterpiece
You’ve put in all that time, handwork and effort, it’s time to reap the benefits of all you’ve done. Grab a loved one or ones and go enjoy yourself. Put on your sweater, grab a cup of hot chocolate, cuddle up with family and enjoy the night under the starts, or should I say under the lights?
• Playing it Smart
And you thought you were finished? Your friends here at Best Fence don’t want to see you rack up a mega electric bill. Don’t forget to turn off your lights before you hit the hay at night. Trust me, you’ll thank us later. A timer is also a good way to ensure that your lights are turned off at the end of the night.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas this year from your friends at Best Fence Company of Jacksonville!
Sources: https://www.pexels.com/photo/christmas-xmas-santa-claus-advent-3462/