Get matched with top holiday decorators in Beardstown, IL

The cost to have your house decorated for Christmas depends on the extent of your holiday vision. Interior decorators charge between $50 and $150 per hour on average, so if your decorations are minimal, you could pay as little as $200 for a couple of hours of decorating. Interior decorators might also bill $5 to $12 per square foot, or a flat rate of $500 to $1,300 per room. You can also pay to have your Christmas tree professionally decorated for an average of $200 to $600. Contact a local interior decorator for a specific quote.

You can tackle hanging Christmas lights yourself with the right tools, accessories, and a trusted friend or neighbor. You’ll need to purchase a ladder ($100 to $300), clips ($10 to $20), hooks ($10 to $15), and lights ($25 to $100 per string).

Otherwise, you should hire a trusted holiday light installer near you. You’ll pay an average price of $200 to $650, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the job is done correctly and safely.

First of all, don’t shop for bargain lights—often, you’ll end up with a faulty or broken strand, full of dead bulbs or less-than-luminous brightness. Choose quality lights that will last you many years—LED lights have been known to last as long as 100,000 hours. Second, plan ahead and purchase lights for next year’s Christmas during this year’s post-holiday sales. Finally, have a vision and a plan—if you know the measurements of your home, including any windows, doors, and outside bushes you wish to light up, you should be able to only purchase the necessary lights and not more than you need.

Nails are a popular choice for hanging string lights, but they are not the only option. Use outdoor hooks, zip ties, or even awning hangers to string up lights outdoors. For indoor lights, use simple tacks, zip ties, damage-free adhesive hooks, or drawing pins. When all else fails, just wrap the lights around some furniture or outdoor fixtures.