Get matched with top holiday decorators in Fair Play, MO

The type of lighting you choose can have a big part in the aesthetic and function of your space. Ambient lighting refers to indirect or diffused lighting that evenly reaches most areas of the space. Task lighting illuminates specific areas, such as a workspace. Accent lighting draws attention to details in your home, and decorative lighting draws attention to itself.

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.

No, you should not leave LED Christmas lights up all year. While the LED lights themselves are very durable, their wiring and casings can be as vulnerable as any Christmas lights. They’re subject to drying out, experiencing cold or sun damage that causes them to crack, and even damage caused by gnawing pests. (The same is true of incandescents.) If you want your lights to last the years that they’re rated for, bring them inside after Christmas is over. 

Ensure you have a safe environment for them to work on, and there aren’t items such as logs, build-up of yard materials, missing or damaged shingles, and weak areas on the roof. Communicate any known electrical issues with contractors at the beginning of the project, and consider hiring an electrician to fix those. Finally, if you are attempting the project yourself, do so when there isn’t any rain, and you can safely get your footing on the roof using proper equipment, such as an extension ladder. Don’t attempt this alone, and have a helper nearby to assist.