Brighten your Christmas with outdoor lights
If you want to run some rope lights along the garden fence or light up the whole neighbourhood; a little planning and common sense can make it much easier.
Plan your light display
Before you buy a single bulb, take a look at your house and decide exactly where and how you want to apply lights. Magazines and the internet can help you come up with some interesting and eye-catching lighting designs, should you need a little inspiration. This is also the time to take your measurements and figure out how many strands of lights you’ll need.
Getting power outside
Along with lights and replacement bulbs, be sure to purchase a heavy-duty extension cord so you have something to plug the lights into. If you’re planning a large installation or want to make the lights a regular feature at Christmas, talk to an electrician about the possibility of adding an external power point to your house.
How to hang your lights
One popular application is to run strings of lights under the eaves or along the roof line of your house. Space hooks evenly along the area where you want to hang lights, so that the hooks fall between where the bulbs will be. Then string the lights. As you do so, take a moment after installing each section to turn the lights on. Step back, and make sure you’re getting the effect that you want. Don’t wait until everything is in place to fix any problems.
Less is more
Avoid the temptation to overdo the outdoor Christmas lights. A few strands of well-placed lights are much more attractive than a massive pile of flashing multicoloured bulbs. Your neighbours will thank you for being restrained! You’ll be surprised at how much a minimal investment of time, money and effort will brighten your house for the festive season.
