’Tis the season to adorn lawns in twinkle lights, replica reindeer, and even deploy the occasional two-story inflatable Santa. Traversing one’s roof with a spool of holiday lights is not for the faint of heart — or dexterity. We spoke with three holiday lights experts who decorate dozens of homes a season, seeking winter safety and decor tips that’ll make your house a little more Fifth Avenue and yourself a little less National Lampoon.
View this post on Instagram
“Safety is the most important thing overall. Make sure you buy quality materials; you want the LED chips in lights to be able to hold up and not dim over time. They also need to be okay for the outdoors and able to get wet. This goes for plugs and wires, as well.”
—Chris Waugh, NY Landscape Lighting LLC
View this post on Instagram
“Before you hang your lights from last year, plug them in first and make sure they work! As simple as it sounds, it’s easy to forget. To get creative with styling, try out the larger, vintage-looking C9 bulbs on your shrubs or maybe some icicle lights along the roof. Be sure to pair garland and greenery with your lights to tie the whole holiday design together.”
—Olivia O’Haire, sales and marketing manager, Nature’s Cradle
“Two of the most important things to remember are to get creative and have fun. Holiday lighting is a great way to get the entire family involved, whether it’s coming together to plan the design or actually hanging the lights themselves. An easy place to start with the design is to highlight the main entryway and expand from there, as a little light by the front door goes a long way in giving your guests a warm and festive holiday welcome. This means wrapping any railings and/or columns beside the front door to begin with and, if you are feeling adventurous, add garland or even wrap one or two bushes on either side. Use warm, white LED lights for an elegant and understated look, or go with multi-color LED lights to demonstrate all of your holiday cheer!”
—Chris Russo, Pelham Lights
Related: Where to See Santa in Westchester County This Holiday Season
