How to Select the Best Outdoor Christmas Lights
Christmas is a time to demonstrate your holiday spirit with colorful decorations, boldly trimmed Christmas trees and, of course, Christmas lights. These add color to the exterior of your home for you and your neighbors to enjoy. If you are thinking of decorating your home with Christmas lights this holiday season, there are some considerations to keep in mind to be sure that you are choosing the best lighting for your needs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Draw a sketch of your desired lighting plan. There is a large variety of lights available on the market, from multi-colored bulbs to single-colored strings, and even lights that come in various shapes and sizes. Understanding before you go shopping what you are looking for is the best way to know which outdoor Christmas lights will suit you best.
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Select LED-powered lights if you plan to run your Christmas lights for a long amount of time. This style of lights uses less power, making them run a bit cooler than other lights and last longer for your decorating needs.
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Choose versatile lights that can fit a variety of functions. For example, look for lights that can be strung both around the gutters and around wire Christmas decorations to get the most value for your purchase.
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Check the packaging on the lights to see if they are UL approved. If they have a red label, this indicates it is appropriate for outdoor use. While all Christmas lights pose some hazard as they have the potential to overload, there are some signs to look for when purchasing your lights. For example, do not purchase any lights that appear to have been opened or show frayed wiring.
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Research product reviews. This is especially easy if you are purchasing your lights online as most Internet stores feature a place for comment and reviews from customers. If you have a brand or style in mind, try to find reviews that explore the worth of the product based on its cost, performance and overall quality.
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Look for energy-efficient lights such as ones that are solar-powered or use LED bulbs. Each year, Christmas lights are costly to run because the amount of energy they require. If you measure good Christmas lights by their price tag, don't forget the additional costs that come with holiday lighting. Using energy-efficient bulbs will not only save you money, it is friendlier to the environment.
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References
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Digital Vision/Getty Images
