Get matched with top holiday decorators in Jackman, ME

Professionals use the same methods found in this guide unless they’re decorating a particularly large Christmas tree. In that case, they may also make use of tools like extension poles to get the job done. 

Several options for hanging Christmas lights won't damage gutters. Using shingle clips avoids any hardware contact with them, and using plastic gutter clips minimizes the likelihood of scratching gutters. Remember not to rest a ladder, especially a metal one, against the gutters, and use a ladder stand-off device or stabilizer if you need to use an extension ladder. 

Yes, you can try removing and replacing each individual light bulb one at a time until you find the problem bulb—just be prepared for it to take a while. The bulb tester is worth the investment if you don’t have a lot of extra time to spare or need to test several strands of lights.

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.