Get matched with top holiday decorators in Pierson, FL

In the Christmas days of yore, people braved winter weather to staple or tack their Christmas lights onto their rooftops or nearby surfaces like the fascia boards. Problems quickly emerged with that approach. Damage to the roof, even small marks from staples, provides entryways for moisture and similar issues that can hasten roof rot, wear, and associated leaks. Plus, some homes had tough fiber cement boards or other materials where staples and screws didn’t work.

Most contractors will include removal of your lights in the price of installation, but it’s always a good idea to double check. Storage of the lights is often also part of the package when you hire an installation professional, since you might choose to use the same lights for several years.

It's safe to hang Christmas lights from gutters with a few considerations. First, when installing the lights, follow safe ladder-use guidelines and avoid getting onto the roof. Second, for best results and the integrity of your lights, use clips to keep the bulbs away from inside the gutters where they could run into trouble with water or ice. 

Yes, you can synchronize Christmas lights with music to create a DIY light show. To do this, you will need several components. For hardware, you'll need standard holiday lights, decorations, lawn ornaments, tools, outdoor-rated extension cords, a computer, and a light show control system or digital controller. You will also need specialized software to program the show; popular options include Light-O-Rama (LOR), Vixen, xLights, and Animated Lights. Some, like Vixen and Animated Lights, are considered more beginner-friendly. The process involves using the software to program your lights, choosing an audio method such as speakers or an FM broadcast, and testing the entire system to make sure it's working correctly before the show.