Just for Fun: Christmas

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Creating a Winterland Theme With Outdoor Christmas Lights

Shendy

When it comes time to decorate your front yard, many people are looking for a subdued yet festive scene. After all, it is important to be welcoming and celebrate the holiday season. This is true even if you're not very religious. After all, in places where there are large Hispanic populations, it is not uncommon for non-Hispanics to display Cinco De Mayo decorations on the outside of their home during the Cinco De Mayo season.

A common idea for people who do not want to focus on cartoon characters is using outdoor Christmas lights. The lights create a winter land theme without being garish. In addition to the Christmas season, winter is celebrated by celebrating snow. Simulating snow or snowflakes is always an appropriate way to decorate the yard during the Christmas season. Outdoor Christmas lights are a natural choice for these kinds of holiday festivity.

Choosing the Right Outdoor Christmas Lights

In general, to create a winter land theme, the idea is to simulate sparkling snow in the moonlight. There are a few ways that this can be accomplished. Namely, it means focusing more on the outdoor Christmas lights than other iconic decorations. The most popular things to buy for winter land theme are:

o White lights
o Blue lights
o Snowflake shapes

Areas to Decorate

The house is not the only place to include your outdoor Christmas lights. In order to create a full winter land theme, don't forget to include bushes and trees. Net lights are perfect for this solution. Unlike other outdoor Christmas lights, net lights are specifically designed for trees and bushes. This takes a lot less time to decorate and creates a beautiful affect.

Choosing Winter Land Colors

Of course, you do not want to use a lot of multicolored lights when decorating for a winter land theme.

Winterland Theme With Outdoor Christmas Lights Photos

Although it may be a temptation, you should stick to three basic colors for your outdoor Christmas lights. Besides white, blue and yellow will produce the effect you're looking for.

Just be sure to use the same color with the same object. At night, the shape of the tree, bush, or house is defined by the color of lights.

The only exception to that rule can be the roof. You can have a lot of fun using the colors to create a snowdrift affect on the roof. Your neighbors will appreciate your classic and beautiful decorations.

Decorating Bushes With Outdoor Christmas Lights

Shendy

Of course, we all think about decorating trees for Christmas. But what about the bushes? After all, it is common to have more bushes around your house than trees. Thankfully, many companies are thinking about the exact same thing. Companies are realizing more and more that people want to decorate and cover as much of the unsightly weather effects as possible.

Typically, a main reason to decorate in the winter is due to the brown vegetation. After all vegetation dies and turns brown, it is often covered by patchy bits of snow. That is followed by times where there is mud everywhere. Outdoor Christmas lights take care of many of the unsightly problems related to the wintertime blues.

Types of Outdoor Christmas Lights for Bushes

In addition to a wide variety of colors, there are also different types of lights that you may find more appropriate than others. Of course, there are the type of lights that look like the kind you hang on that Christmas tree inside your home. Some people find that they're not as effective as others. Many people prefer rope lights because they did not get entangled in the bushes. Others prefer outdoor Christmas lights that are shaped into nets. They find them much easier to put on the bushes.

Types of Lights to Avoid

While everyone loves to experiment with creativity, there are certain lights that you should avoid using outdoors. Commonly, they are not outdoor Christmas lights at all. They are lights that are used for some other purpose. In particular, lights to avoid using in your bushes are:

o Strobe lights
o Regular light bulbs
o Lamps
o Indoor Christmas lights

What to Look For In Outdoor Christmas Lights

Typically, you'll be able to see right away if the lights are particularly outdoor Christmas lights. The next choice you will need to make is the brightness of the lights. This does not necessarily mean that larger lights burn brighter.

When you are selecting your lights, pay attention to wattage. This will help to determine how bright the lights are. You can also have a timer or multifunction light programmer that will produce a desired effect.

Outdoor Christmas Lights for bushes Photo Galleries

The next choice will be the plastic that encases the electrical wires. For this choice, many people will
choose the color based on what they're using it for. If you're bushes are green, for example, you might want to use outdoor Christmas lights that have green plastic. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2730271

Types of Christmas Lights

Shendy

As the holiday season approaches, people become fascinated with the lights and decorations of the season. Homes and businesses alike are often decorated with many different types of Christmas lights. During the 17th century people placed candles on their trees at Christmas time. In the 1800's electric lights became popular and now there many different types on the market.

Christmas lights can be purchased in a variety of colors. A classic color for Christmas is white.

However, today there are lights available in colors such as blue, red, green, yellow, pink, and green. These lights come in a large range of sizes as well. There are quite a few different bulb styles available too.

In addition, there are also types of lights that can be set to glow continuously or can be set to blink for a twinkling light effect.

Christmas lights can be purchased to be used indoors or outdoors. A few of the types of outdoor lights available are regular strands of lights, icicle lights, and rope lights. Indoor lights, such as the ones used on Christmas trees, are usually regular strands of lights.

Over time, the bulbs used have changed. There are now LED lights available. LED lights offer a much more vibrant light than older strands of Christmas lights.

LED lights are also energy efficient and do not get hot. There are many stores and online retailers that sell a variety of lights. Christmas lights have a long history and have now come to be a fascinating and enjoyable part of the holiday season.

Designing your own Christmas light displays can be a rewarding and fun project for your family. There are many different types of Christmas lights on the market so you should be able to find some unique ideas for your home.

The Correct Way to Put Lights on a Christmas Tree

Shendy

Undoubtedly, Christmas does not feel the same without a rich green fir tree complete with twinkling lights amidst yuletide songs and family and friends. Of course, the real essence of the season is goodwill to all men; but surely the anticipation of good things to come is greatly helped by the festive atmosphere all homes endeavor to create. Here are helpful tips that show you the correct way to put lights on a Christmas tree so you can enjoy a safe and merry holiday.

If setting up Christmas trees is a family tradition you've always kept, then you probably have some lights stashed away in your basement or attic. Check to see their working condition. Busted bulbs you can replace but do so with caution; frayed wires you should never cover with tape. As much as possible, replace old and messed up lights with new ones- it is an investment well worth it.

The general rule of thumb in Christmas tree lights is to use 100 bulbs for every one foot of tree. That means for the average 7 ½ foot tree, you should use lights with 700 or 800 bulbs. Instead of buying one long strand of 800 bulbs, use shorter strands of lesser number of bulbs. Not only is it easier to hang up the tree; it will be simpler to find and fix broken bulbs.

Some people find it easier to start at the top of the tree and work their way down. Personally I think the best way on how to put lights on a Christmas tree is by beginning in the bottom tier first. This way you don't have to worry about having unsightly excess strands dangling at the tail of your tree.

Mark out a spot for your tree. If you are using an artificial tree, attach the first level and carefully wound lights around each branch as how you want it to look. Install the next tier and repeat process until you reach the top of the tree. Make sure that you use a sturdy stool to stand on, preferably with a friend nearby to assist you as you go higher in decorating the tree.

For a live tree, begin the same way running the cord in the center of the tree. Wrap the lights around the limbs, interweaving between the tips of every other branch. Drape the lights as evenly as possible as you go up the tiers. After setting the last strand in place, close the light of the room and step back to see the effect. Change and tweak the places that you feel needs altering and when satisfied, you can begin decorating; first with the garlands then finish it off with ornaments and Christmas balls.

Keep liquids and pets that can chew the cords away from the tree to avoid potential disasters. After the holidays, coil the wires around the cardboard of a large tissue roll; taking care to disentangle the cords thoroughly.

Now you know the correct way to put lights on a Christmas tree, you can enjoy the company of loved ones and the spirit of Christmas so much better don't you think? Enjoy the holidays!

How to Put Lights on a Christmas Tree

Shendy

Even without a calendar I always know when Christmas is near. You can smell it in the air. People are cheerier, shops are brighter and homes are warmer. So companies try to make money out of it, will you let that dampen your Christmas spirit? Really, it's the season for merrymaking and where better to start than in your own home.

One of the best ways to usher in the season is by putting up-what else, a Christmas tree in your home. It is a well-worn and best loved tradition between family members. There are many times though that we all could do with a refresher course on basic things like putting up of holiday lights the best way possible. It has often been a matter of contention between alpha males and overly cautious women so here is a complete guide on how to put lights on a Christmas tree.

First of all, you need to get yourself a sturdy and handsome fir tree. If you have a synthetic one stashed up in the basement-- that will do. However, for a cozier feel, you can visit a Christmas tree store that open during the season in almost every area. Make it a family Christmas tradition by packing everyone in the car and choosing the perfect tree together.

Find a spacious spot for the tree. The living room or family den is the most recommended as it most used for entertaining. When setting up the tree, place it near the wall where you can plug the lights but far enough so you can walk its circumference comfortably as you decorate around it.

Do you have a theme for your decorations this year? Whichever motif you pick out, make sure the lights you have complement the look. Christmas lights come in different colors, shapes and sizes so you will have no trouble finding the perfect look to go along your tree.

If you have lights you use every year, bring them out and slowly unravel them, checking for burnt out bulbs frayed wires. It may be better to purchase new lights if the ones you have now are well-used. The general rule is 100 bulbs for a one foot. Measure your tree and decorations accordingly.

Run the cord along the spine of the tree and start hanging the lights starting with the bottom, wrapping them around the trunk and branches. Be creative in draping them leaving space for the other decorations you are planning to add. Do this at every level, until you reach the top part of the tree. Attach the extension cord at the last strand, strategically covering it well with the branches.

Plug the power cord in an outlet and take a few steps back to get a better perspective on the over-all look of the tree. Are the lights evenly distributed? Are there unsightly pieces sticking out that can be tucked away properly?

Make the necessary changes and add on the other decorations until satisfied. Now you know how to put lights on a Christmas tree safely and beautifully. Enjoy and let the season's good tidings keep you and your family well until it rolls in again next year.