Last Updated on October 20, 2026 by Ellen Christian
There’s something magical about pulling into the driveway on a dark December evening and seeing the house glowing with warm white lights. There’s nothing magical about the Saturday it takes to get them up: untangling strands, discovering half of them don’t work, and balancing on a ladder in the cold while the kids ask when dinner is.
Posts may be sponsored. This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you love a beautifully lit home but don’t love the process, a little planning can make the season easier. Here’s how to approach outdoor holiday lighting when your calendar is already full.
Start With a Simple Plan
The most striking displays usually aren’t the most complicated. Before buying anything, step across the street and look at your house. Pick two or three features to highlight:
- The roofline, which frames the whole house
- Windows and the front door, which make the entry welcoming
- One or two trees or shrubs near the front walk
A clean outline with one or two accents almost always looks better than lights on everything.
Pick One Color Story
Choose either warm white, cool white, or multicolor and stick with it. Warm white feels classic and cozy; multicolor feels playful and nostalgic. Mixing them often looks unplanned. If you have kids, letting them choose the color story for the year can turn it into a fun family tradition.
Measure Before You Buy
Measure the roofline, the width of windows, and the height of trees you want to wrap. Add a little extra for reaching outlets. Knowing the numbers prevents three trips to the store and the mid-project discovery that you’re one strand short.
Choose LED and Outdoor-Rated Everything
LED lights use far less electricity, stay cool to the touch, and last much longer than older bulbs. Make sure every strand, extension cord, and timer is rated for outdoor use. A plug-in timer is the single best upgrade for busy families: the lights turn on at dusk and off at bedtime without anyone remembering.
Learn how to fix Christmas lights.
Safety First
Every year, holiday decorating sends people to the emergency room, most often because of ladder falls. A few basics help:
- Use a sturdy ladder on level ground and have someone hold it.
- Never staple or nail through light wires; use plastic gutter and shingle clips.
- Keep cords out of walkways and away from puddles and snow.
- Don’t overload outlets or connect more strands end to end than the package allows.
- Skip the roof entirely if it’s icy, steep, or windy.
When It Makes Sense to Hire It Out
For many families, hiring a professional is the moment holiday lighting goes from chore to joy. Professional installers typically design the display, supply commercial-grade lights cut to fit your home, install everything safely, fix any outages during the season, and come back in January to take it all down.
It’s especially worth considering if you have a two-story home, a steep roof, limited weekends, or simply no desire to spend December on a ladder. In the Chicago suburbs, companies that offer professional Christmas light installation usually start booking in October and install through November, so it pays to reserve a spot early.
Make It a Tradition
Whether you hang the lights yourself or hire help, the best part is the moment you flip the switch. Make it an event: hot cocoa, a countdown with the kids, and a slow drive around the neighborhood afterward to see everyone else’s lights. That’s the memory your family will keep, not the tangled strands.
Ellen is a busy mom of a 29-year-old son and 33-year-old daughter. She owns nine blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
