Christmas will be here faster than we know it! Now that you know everything about Christmas lights, here are 4 easy steps to follow when hanging Christmas lights outside.

Step 1: Plan
Before you go out and buy the lights, you need to come up with a plan. Go outside and look at your house. Take a notebook and mark everywhere you want to put lights. Some popular spots for outdoor Christmas lights are:

• Along rooflines & eaves
• Around windows and doors
• Wrapped around railings
• Around trees and trunks
• Atop bushes, hedges and shrubs

After you’ve decided where you are going to hang your lights, it’s a good idea to measure those areas. Don’t forget to measure the distance from your lights to your outdoor power source.

Step 2: Shop
After you’ve figured out where you’re going to hang lights and approximately how many you need, it’s time to figure out what kind of lights you will use. Refer to our Christmas Lights 101 post for more information on this.

When you’re shopping, be sure to:

• Check that the lights are for outdoor use
• Stick with the same brand of lights – it ensures a consistent look and ease in connecting strands to one another.
• Always buy an extra box or two for backup.
• Look at hooks/fasteners, extension cords, and timers.

Step 3: PrepIf you aren’t buying new lights, be sure to test your old ones before you hang them. Check for broken or burned out bulbs and damaged wiring. Be sure to check all your extension cords as well. You don’t want to get everything hung and in place and THEN find out the lights don’t work or you extension cord is damaged.

Now that you have all your lights, you need to prepare the house. Place all your hooks and fasteners ahead of time. Note: Avoid using nails. Not only do they rust and put holes in your structure, but you can easily pound one through a wire. There are multiple products for hanging lights that are safe, durable and work better than nails. While you’re up there, it would be a good idea to clean out the gutters and eaves. Place all your extension cords in areas where they won’t be in the way.

When you begin hanging your lights, start at the power source and work away from it. Don’t attach more than three strands together. After the third strand, start back at the power source.

Work from top to bottom. Start with the roofline and then work on columns, windows, doors, and railings. The yard should be the last area you decorate. Having a helper will make the job go much faster. It’s easier to work in daylight, and having the lights plugged in while you’re hanging them is very helpful.

After you’re finished, take a step back and be proud of your work.

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A Cypress Homes, Inc. Blog