Our neighborhood is quite lively when it comes to seasonal decorating. This year I decided to be a participant but, not a over-the-top enthusiast, I kept my Halloween decorating fun, nothing crazy and figured I'd go a bit bigger next year for Christmas decorations. This year we kept it simple with a wreath over the door and candle-lights in the windows.

Well, I couldn't help myself and I ended up wrapping lights around our tree out front and running them out along several branches in an attempt to kill myself before the family festivities began. Now a family of ants decided to invade our warm house and we ran out of ant-traps so I headed down to the hardware store and of course, all the Christmas items are 50% off. For next year, I'm looking to line our roof line with lights but, it's clear the miniature tree lights aren't the right size.

What size lights do members like for roof/home outline decorating? I'm thinking of using C7 sized bulbs, as the larger C9's seem a bit too big for the standard non-McMansion sized house and the smaller C6 bulbs and minis are too small. Is there a rule or, guideline that professional decorators use when setting-up light displays? Also, what kind of waterproof electrical connectors are being used? I got a neighbor down the street wrapping their plugs in duct-tape...I don't think that's how you want to do it.

I have a old one story farmhouse. About 1500 sqft. I have C6 and C7 on my house and they are about right.

They are color change. The C7 go through several colors and patterns, the C6 just go from Red to Green


I have icicle lights which are white below them on the front of the house and garage.

Best of luck on your endeavors.



ARman

corsair, I need to look at what our lights are when I pull them down. What I can say right now is that the lights around our roofline slightly larger than all the lights in our bushes.
Also, we went all LED a few years ago. we use only GE lights and they have served us well.
We have never had issues with the connections between extension cords and the light strings as far as water intrusion. I DO make sure that I support the end of the extension cord that connects to a light string so that the light string is coming up into the extension cord so no water can get in there.
I really wasn't into doing it this year as we lost both of our Boxer boys 16 days apart in November but the wife said we needed to do it.
If you contact me via the e mail in my profile I will send you a picture ot two of our spot.
We use several outdoor timers to turn the lights on.

For shrubs - Net Lights, LED, easy to install and remove, easy to store, LED use less power so you can string more together than non LED. Be sure to get the soft white if you go that direction. A plus is they don't get tangled up like the lines on a string..



Trees - they make truck nets to wrap I prefer the balls that you hang from the tree vs wrapping the trunk.

Gutters/Roofline - Not doing that but, if you do the larger bulbs are key, jmo, and color changing are good.

I use C7 bulbs for around the doors and roofline.

Consider this: Christmas Light Deluxe Stuff
And you can scroll down to the bottom to a "contact us" link and FAQ section, you can get answers from them.

You can buy the wiring strings by reel and make each of yours to the exact length you need.

You have lots of options. Pick your bulbs, buy in bulk, etc.

There are a lot of internet sellers (and some local hardware stores and Lanscape supple stores selling reels of the electric string in long length reels, all lights. In fact local to me there is a good sized local nursery that also has a big selection and supply of this stuff.

There are youtube videos featuring how you can do this, get much better quality, etc.

Another link: Cord Info LINK

Gotta go, good luck to you.
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