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“Dad, you taught me everything I know about exterior illumination.” Those are the famous words of Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and we all know how that turned out! Whether your tempted to deck out your home with over-the-top “Griswold Lighting” or prefer an elegant and understated display, making sure your holiday lights are properly installed is the key to a beautiful and safe holiday home.

First, start by making a plan. What areas would you like to decorate with lights? The roofline, windows, doors, lamp poles, trees, bushes or all of the above? Once you decide, measure each area to determine how much “length” of lighting you will need. Check stored holiday lights (if you have them)  to see if they are still in good condition. If holiday lights are tangled or worn with broken lights, for safety’s sake, it’s time to buy brand-new lighting.

We recommend commercial grade C9 LED light bulbs for new installations because they last longer and use less energy. Make sure all connections between the socket wire are made with manufacturer recommended plugs to ensure safe and durable operation each season. With holiday lights, you usually get what you pay for – inexpensive generally equals problematic.

Once you’ve chosen the lighting, buy plastic clips if you are planning on securing lights to your roofline or gutters. Just make sure you don’t have leaf screens, heavy duty shingles or clay roof tiles covering the edge. If so, you may have to opt for adhesive clips or nails. If you plan on lining walkways or flowerbeds, pick up some commercial grade lawn stakes to hold sockets securely in place for a neat appearance. Don’t forget the hot glue gun. Believe it or not, it’s the best way to install lights around the front porch and windows where plastic clips cannot be used. The glue will hold throughout the holiday season but allows for easy removal in January. You may also want to pick up a timer with a photocell to set your lights to come on from dusk until dawn or turn off after a set amount of time. It will save you time and energy, literally!

If you are climbing on a ladder, it’s wise to have a partner on the ground to keep it secure. Take extreme care and don’t over-reach when hanging lights to avoid losing your balance. Just one of the pitfalls of outdoor holiday decorating, you’ll also want to make sure electrical wiring and electrical sockets are in excellent shape and used properly to avoid a shock, sparking, or even a fire. Also, avoid installing lights when the weather is inclement.

If this sounds like more work than you’re willing to take on, don’t feel bad. Many homeowners feel the same way and are now opting to hire a professional team to put up their lights. At Terra Turf, we offer these services in Plano, Texas AND have seen a steady increase in business over the years. And while there are no solid statistics on how fast the professional holiday decorating industry is growing, business owners around the country have told the National Association of Landscape Professionals, they are busier than ever. We’re not surprised!

If you choose to go the professional route, you’ll enjoy many benefits. At Terra Turf, for example, our trained and experienced installers use commercial grade C9 LED lights, with manufacturer recommended UL approved wiring and electrical sockets. They measure precisely, install accurately to ensure beauty and safety, and will return to take care of any unexpected repairs like a burned-out bulb, at no added expense. Our team also arrives in January to expertly remove and repackage the decorations. Since they are custom-fit to your home, they are included in the decoration fee, yours to store and reuse year after year.

If you live in the Plano area, give us a call at 972-424-8873 or visit Terra Turf Landscape to learn more about our professional holiday lights service. If you live in another part of the country, make sure any professional service your contact adheres to similar quality and safety standards.