It is almost that time of year again.  This is the time to hang Christmas lights, while the weather is not blistering cold.  Hanging Christmas lights does not have to be a difficult and frustrating process.  Bring the joy back into the holidays with these easy steps for hanging Christmas lights. 

Tools and Materials for Hanging Christmas Lights

• Many strings of Christmas lights
• Light clips for gutters and shingles
• Nail-on wire clips
• Extension cords (heavy duty)
• Tape measure (30 feet or longer)
• Long-nose pliers
• Study ladder
• Hammer

Tips for Hanging Christmas Lights

There is a large variety of decorative lights that can be found at home improvement stores.   The style you choose will depend upon your individual taste.  There are many different colors to choose from including:  clear, white, or colored lights.  You will also be able to choose whether you want the lights to remain lit the entire time or to blink or chase.   

• The most popular lights people choose today are the “mini-lights”.  They are 1.5 to 2.5 volt bulbs that are cool –burning.   They are more energy efficient than larger bulbs.  However, they are not as heavy duty as the larger bulbs.  When one light is not working the entire strand may stop working.  
• The larger bulbs may come in C-7 and C-9 bulbs.  These bulbs are more of a heavy duty bulb.  The plus side of these bulbs is that when one of the lights in the strand does not work, the rest of the bulbs will continue to work.  However, these bulbs tend to get hot to the touch, posing more of a fire hazard.
• Make sure the light strings have a male plug at one end and a female receptacle at the other.  This will allow you to plug them together from end to end.  
• If you use mini-lights, it is better to buy the 50-light strings instead of the longer strings of 100, 150 or 200 light strings.  When one light goes out, it is much easier to find the defective light.
• Choose lights that are UL-approved for outdoor use.  
• Follow all the cautionary directions found on the package.

Steps for Hanging Outdoor Christmas Lights

IMPORTANT - The electrical outlet should be a working 120-volt that is protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter.

1. Find an electrical receptacle for the lights.  
2. Use a switch controlled outlet.  If this is not possible, plug the lights into an automatic timer so they will turn on at dusk and off late at night.  Make sure the receptacle’s circuit and the timer are rated to handle the amperes combined.  Make sure the timer is approved for outdoor use.
3. Measure lengths of areas you intend to hang Christmas lights with your tape measure.  Measure the length of the house along the ground.  Measure the height of bushes or trees you plan on hanging Christmas lights.
4. Measure the lengths of the light strings.  Figure the number of 50-foot light strings it will take to hang Christmas lights in the areas you want them.
5. Before plugging Christmas lights in for testing, take a quick visual inspection.  Look for any bulbs that are missing or broken.  Check for worn or defective wires.  
6. If there are any defective wires, replace the string.  
7. For missing or broken bulbs, simply replace.  Do this by wearing gloves and using long-nose pliers.  For mini-lights, simply pull them out of the socket.  For the C-7 and C-9, unscrew the bulbs counterclockwise. 
8. Test the Christmas lights by plugging them in.  Try to find the defective bulb.  Make sure to unplug the string before replacing a bulb.
9. Set up your ladder.   Place if firmly on the ground.  Lean it against the eaves. Extend above the eaves at an angle.  If you have to lean it on the gutter, place a 2x4 inside the gutter for reinforcement.
10. Hang Christmas lights along the eaves.  When hanging Christmas lights along the gutters or the roof, use the plastic clips.  They grip shingles or gutters and will have a lower hook that will hold the light strand or extension cord.
11. Attach lights to the trim.  When hanging Christmas lights to window trim, use the tube light clips or nail-on plastic clips spacing them 12 inches apart.  Never use staples or nails to hang Christmas lights.  They can pierce or even wear away the protective insulation.  This can cause an electrical hazard.
12. If possible, have someone holding the ladder.  
13. 13. As you hang the lights, hold the string up so the weight of the un-hung part of the strand doesn’t pull of the clips. 
14. Plug in the lights to their respective cords or outlets.  Set timers.  Secure extension cords by making sure they are not dangling.
15. Turn on the lights again and check for any defective bulbs or strings. Before replacing an entire string at this point, check the connections.  It is likely to be a single bulb or a bad connection instead of a bad string, especially if the string was good before you put it up.
16. Put away all your tools.

Now you can relax and get ready for the holiday season without the frustrations of hanging Christmas lights.   Enjoy the beautiful display you created by hanging outdoor Christmas lights.  

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Comments (1)

• |2010-04-29 01:11:56 Judy Scott  - arranging the Christmas lights
  A i have some suggestions on arranging the Christmas lights ,the first thing you must avoid the traditional way of decorating indoor Tannenbaum and use any tree in the yard instead.Avoid simply toss the light strands into the trees.Whatever method you use to hang Christmas lights in trees,you have to make sure that the lights stay there neatly.
  
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