subject: A Practical Approach To Lighting Your Home For Christmas [print this page] It's that time of year again, and one of my favorite pastimes involves driving through the surrounding neighborhoods to enjoy glittering displays of Christmas lights. Some families go for maximum color, with the bulbs in white, green, red, and blue, while others opt for a more simplistic design with strings of icicles or simple white lights.
If you haven't already done so, you are probably thinking about decorating your home for the holidays. But maybe you aren't sure where to start. Allow me to offer you a few suggestions so that you can enjoy a festive household in no time at all.
Before you run out and purchase half a dozen strings of lights, you will want to first get a good idea of what type of lights will compliment your exterior. While bright bulbs of varying colors might be eye-catching, they can clash if you are installing varying brands and/or shades.
So, you may first want to do a rough sketch of your home and try out a few different designs. Lit nativity sets, reindeer, and other miscellaneous ornamentation can be a lot of fun, but try not to overdo it. I have seen so many lawns cluttered with Santa Claus, the Holy Family, and blown-up snowmen, and it's just too much.
Try sticking to more simplistic styles. Wrapping tree trunks and/or shrubs in your yard can highlight landscaping across the yard without going over the top.
That is all not to mention that overdone lighting can suck a whole lot of power. Particularly in the current economic conditions, families are disinclined to add any extra bulk to their winter months' electric bills. But there are more efficient alternatives.
You have probably heard of light emitting diodes--usually referred to as LEDs. These little bulbs pack white a punch despite their size. Plus, they are tremendously energy-efficient, which is what makes them so appealing in this time when you are already cranking up the heater and dreading the financial results.
LED outdoor Christmas lights are a great solution to this dilemma. There are widely available in local hardware stores, but sometimes you can find even better deals by shopping online.
Just like traditional incandescent bulbs, LEDs come in a variety of shapes and colors, including icicle, "raspberry," and "strawberry." (Raspberries are small, spherical lights whereas strawberries are the larger, conical-shaped lights that are a little more old-fashioned). In vibrancy and intensity, traditional bulbs just can't compare.
Whether you decide to go with LED Christmas lights or not, don't keep your home from being festive. Coming home to a fully lit house helps you to get into the Christmas spirit.
