Get your windows in on that holiday cheer
As winter rolls around, handy homeowners across the land are gearing up to hang those twinkling holiday lights. If you’re ready to literally outshine the neighbors this holiday season, you shouldn’t forget to illuminate your windows. Read on to learn how to hang Christmas lights around windows in just a few hours.
Before you hang the lights, you should choose the type of lights you wish to hang on your windows and make sure you have a power source for them.
Smaller lights look better around windows, as they won’t be overwhelming but will still offer a delightful twinkle. Learn the difference between LED and incandescent lights as well: white LED lights are bright, have a blue tint, and are energy efficient, which can be useful if you only have one power source. Incandescent lights will emit a warmer, golden tone.
Speaking of power sources, you should determine where you will be plugging the lights in and purchase extension cords long enough to reach the windows. If you don’t have a power source available, you can purchase battery-operated lights.
Look for a “UL” symbol on all of your light and extension cord packaging; this symbol indicates that the product is considered safe electrical equipment by Underwriters Laboratories. You should also only use lights intended for outdoor use.
Using a tape measure, measure each window on which you’ll hang your lights, to ensure you have long enough strands (or need to buy more). You will also need to make note of how many hooks you will need to hold the strands in place; a general guideline is six or eight hooks per standard-sized window. Once you know the total feet of lights you need, add one or two feet to that number to ensure you have enough. Note: light hook or clip kits come in a range of sizes, and can be purchased to match the type and size of lights you are hanging.
Make sure the window area is free of dust, dirt, and debris so the adhesive hooks have no trouble sticking and staying put. Spray the window frame with a gentle cleaner and wipe it down with a rag or microfiber cloth. Wait for the area to dry before proceeding.
Before hanging the lights, test each strand to make sure the lights all light up. If a bulb is broken, you can swap it out with a functioning bulb. If the entire strand is blown, replace it. If the strands are brand new, it might be worth asking the store where you bought them for a refund or exchange (hopefully you kept your receipt!).
Place the adhesive hooks around your windows, spacing them about two to three inches apart. Make sure there is one in each corner and one in the center of each side of the window to guarantee the lights lay properly.
With one end of the first strand sitting near the closest extension cord or outlet, start to string the lights up on the windows, using the hooks to keep them in place. Begin at a lower point of the window and then work your way around, making sure that the lights are all facing the same direction and that the string remains relatively taut (having a friend or family member around to help is a good idea). For windows out of reach, you might need to use a ladder.
Using transparent tape or plastic cable ties, secure the lights in place to the hooks. This is an optional step, but will go a long way to making sure you don’t have to reattach any light strands that get knocked off during the season.
Test your lighting design by plugging the base strand(s) into the extension cord or outlet. If everything looks as you want it, use electrical tape to camouflage the extension cord and keep it out of the way by taping it to your home.
It is not difficult to hang Christmas lights around windows, but if you wish to save time and stress, or simply do not have the mobility required to climb up a ladder to hang lights on the second-floor windows, a holiday lighting pro can do the task for you. The cost for professional light hanging service ranges from $220 to $650, on average.
Your outlet should be a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). These outlets will cut power off in the case of an electrical fire, keeping your home and family safe. Extension cords can also be GFCIs. A local electrician can replace older outlets with GFCIs, if necessary.
First of all, don’t shop for bargain lights—often, you’ll end up with a faulty or broken strand, full of dead bulbs or less-than-luminous brightness. Choose quality lights that will last you many years—LED lights have been known to last as long as 100,000 hours. Second, plan ahead and purchase lights for next year’s Christmas during this year’s post-holiday sales. Finally, have a vision and a plan—if you know the measurements of your home, including any windows, doors, and outside bushes you wish to light up, you should be able to only purchase the necessary lights and not more than you need.
Most household circuits can handle about 70 strings of 50 standard mini lights, or up to 600 strings of LED lights, which consume less power than the incandescent variety. Make sure to factor in any appliances also running on the circuit.
