Helpful Tips For Putting Up Your Christmas Lights Outdoor

1. Measure the area you want to light up;
2. Determine what kind of lights you will need for your outdoor Christmas lights. (This may seem obvious but some of us have been guilty of going out and buying whatever looks pretty.);
3.  Locate your power sources ;
4. Once you have your outdoor Christmas lights, test them before you start decorating your home. If you have a bad string of lights, you will want to identify it early before you daisy-chain several strings together and attach them to your home.
5. Use light clips to hang your outdoor Christmas lights. They are easy to use and they eliminate the need for screws or nails. All-purpose light clips attach to both your outdoor light strings and to your railings, window trip, gutters, etc. For best results, attach them every 18 to 24 inches;
6. To make wrapping easier, roll your lights into a ball shape. Start with the female end on the inside, and finish with the male end on the outside. Once you start, hold the ball of lights in one hand, and use your other hand to guide;
7. If you have outdoor shrubs, consider lighting them. Small evergreen trees make natural focal points. Use net-style lights with green cording to cover shrubbery. 
8. If you are wrapping outdoor trees, start at the base and wrap it tightly. You want a snug fit around the tree because this helps to prevent wind and storm damage.
9. When putting lights on trees, use a long pole with a hook on the end to string lights on high branches.
10. Use an outdoor Christmas light timer to save money on your electric bill.
11. It is generally acceptable to put your outdoor Christmas lights up on the night of Thanksgiving and take them down by the 5th of January, (which, incidentally, is the 12th day of Christmas).

Supplies You May Need For Christmas Lights Outdoor

In addition to your outdoor Christmas lights, you’ll need a few tools and supplies to get the job done. The supplies you need will depend on your overall design needs. Here are the most common tools you’ll need:

• An outdoor measuring tape;
• A Ladder (if you are hanging lights on trees, etc);
• All-purpose light clips;
• Outdoor extension cords – (use green to hide them better);
• Outdoor Christmas light timers;
• Light-hanging Pole (if needed).