Get matched with top holiday decorators in Lower Brule, SD

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. 

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.

One of the easiest ways to save money when hiring a holiday decorator is to provide storage for your decorations. If you have the space, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by avoiding storage costs through your professional. It’s also a good idea to provide as much direction as possible for your professional, as this can cut down on design services. Finally, you can pay for your decorator to take down your decorations at the end of the season, but packaging and storing them yourself will save money on labor.

When it comes to bang for your buck, LED lights are the clear winner for Christmas lights. While these will cost more upfront, they’ll last you for many holidays to come—far longer than your basic halogen bulbs. Along with that, they also save you big on energy costs throughout the season.