Christmas Lights - Christmas Light Decorations

Christmas Lights

Christmas lighting adds a festive look to Christmas decorations. Christmas lights can include strings of small or large bulbs to decorate Christmas trees and other holiday decor that may be colored, attractive house lightings and Christmas candles. Elaborate Christmas displays give the whole neighborhoods a magical touch and make them look paradisiacal. Christmas trees are also decorated with abundance of Christmas light ropes that are hung as swags or other ways and even treed and branches are wrapped to give them a divine look. Sparkling icicle lights make dark winter nights look cheerful.

Albert Sadacca is believed to be the person who made Christmas tree lighting popular. In the mid-17th century, small candles were first attached to the branch tips of the Christmas trees using wax and pins. In 1882, Edward Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, first decorated a rotating Christmas tree in America in which 80 red, white and blue bulbs were hand wired. In 1895, President Grover Cleveland set up a lighted Christmas tree in the White House and the tradition soon caught on with the general public. By 1900, large illuminated Christmas trees were used to lure the public into shopping malls. Here are some Christmas lighting tips and ideas:

Check the bulbs, sockets, light cords and extension cords well before you start hanging out lights every time you use them. This will help you to choose and discard fused bulbs, exposed wires, broken insulation, nicks and cuts and avoid any accidental hazards.

Make sure that lights and extension cords that you are using outdoors have been approved for exterior use.

Miniature lights build up relatively less heat, so they are safer. Use them instead if light strings with large bulbs, especially near things that are combustible.

Never force three-prong male plug into a two-prong cord or outlet. First adapt it to the outlet using adapter plug with an attached ground wire, which in turn is connected to a proper grounding source.

Never use an exterior extension cord without the proper grounding leg.

Secure two strings of lights together, while connecting them, with an electrical tape, so that they don't get disconnected.

Use appropriate type of connectors. Do not nail or staple wires in place as it often damages the insulation jacket of the wire, cause corrosion or may even result in a short circuit.

Use exterior timer for of exterior lights and decorations to turn the lights on and off at times you want. It makes exteriors safer for you and avoids misuse of electricity.

Variety of hangers is available in the market such as metal hooks and small plastic clips. They make installation of exterior lights easier.