Get matched with top holiday decorators in Dunkerton, IA

You can take a few steps to prolong the life of your holiday lights. Make sure to replace burnt-out bulbs as quickly as possible to avoid overloading the rest of the circuit and knocking out more lights. Before packing them up each year, plug each strand into the wall to confirm everything is still working. Wrap the lights carefully back into their original packaging or something similar—winding a strand tightly together or leaving it to hang loose in a storage bin can lead to frayed or damaged wiring. 

There aren’t many alternative methods to hanging Christmas lights on fascia without using clips. But if you don’t have fascia clips to hang your Christmas lights, you can use clothespins in a pinch. To do this, hold the strand of lights in place and clip it in place with the clothespin. Using nails or staples is never a good idea, as they can damage your fascia.

If you are hosting a large party this year or have staged your home for potential buyers, having a professionally-decorated tree can make a big impact. Christmas tree decorating services can also be more than worth it if you're unable to reach the top of your tree and need assistance with precarious ladder work.

How many string lights can be on one outlet depends on a number of varying factors, including the total wattage of your circuit, the type of lights, the energy needs of the lights, and cord specifications. It’s better to play it safe here to protect your circuit, so figure out the max wattage of your circuit, compare that to the lights, and move on from there. Generally speaking, LED string lights require less energy than incandescent bulbs, translating to a higher number of lights per circuit.