7 Quick Tips for Buying and Hanging Christmas Lights
1. Christmas lights originated in Germany in the 17th century. They were in homes of only the very wealthy and the lights were actually candles. Electricity did not enter the picture until 1882 when Edward Johnson lit up a Christmas tree in New York City with 80 small electric bulbs.
2. Mini Christmas lights are generally lit by incandescent lamps. These lamps produce a broad-spectrum white light and are colored by coating the glass envelope with a transparent or translucent paint that acts as a color filter.
3. LED Christmas lights emit diodes rather than traditional miniature incandescent bulbs. They do not have a filament inside that can burn out and take the entire strand of bulbs with it. LED lights are a great choice because they do not emit excessive heat like incandescent bulbs can and they use less electricity.
4. Net Christmas lights and tree wraps are becoming popular choices because they make for quick and easy holiday decorating. Nets are generally tangle-free and offer uniformly spaced lighting that can quickly be placed on shrubs and bushes.
5. A ladder and hanging hooks will be needed before you begin hanging your lights outside. Wear shoes with good traction and pick a dry day to avoid any slippery accidents. It may also be useful to wear a tool belt to keep nails, hooks and your hammer handy.
6. Determine the location of your exterior outlet or run a heavy-duty extension cord from inside the house. Tape the cord down to avoid anyone tripping on it. We recommend you test your lights on a reliable inside outlet before hanging them on the house.
7. We recommend preparing your lights for storage by labeling them with tags indicating the length and type of light. This will save you from having to unravel the entire strand and will make it easier to see what you already have for next year.
