Get matched with top holiday decorators in Lecompte, LA

Yes, you should purchase and use an extension cord rated for outdoor use to power Christmas lights. Extension cords intended for indoor use do not have the same protective properties as outdoor versions, so they can’t withstand the exposure to the outdoor elements. Be sure to plug your Christmas lights into outdoor extension cords only.

Consider hiring your professional to decorate other areas of your house in addition to the Christmas tree. They can match the rest of your home decor to the tree's design and even extend the style to your outdoor holiday decor .

For a 7-foot-tall column, choose a light strand that is at least 32 feet long. You’ll also need to measure the distance from the column to the closest outlet to get outdoor extension cords that are the right length.

Blinker lights come with a standard box of Christmas lights, so you don’t need to pay extra for them unless you’ve misplaced the ones from the original box. You can buy replacement Christmas blinker lights for about $8 per box. If you want to plan for future holidays, you can buy a value box of 24 replacement blinker bulbs for about $12. Also called flasher lights, the replacement bulbs often come in packages of six bulbs.