Every winter, who is bold enough to carry ladders, fight slippery roofs, and crawl through crooked gutters? Who untangles the mess of extension wires, climbs up and down slippery stairs, and fixes that annoying flickering light bulb in your garage? Meet the brave people who put up holiday lights. They appear to hang from the eaves more often than Santa himself. Get the facts here!
My neighbor told me a sad story about winter just lately. She tried to decorate her huge oak tree with sparkling icicle lights while wearing several of layers. After two hours, a lot of problems, and almost falling off the ladder, she promised to let the professionals handle it next time. And when the lighting crew got there with their buzzing tools and endless reels of lights, her yard was already dazzling before her kettle had boiled.
Believe it or not, these businesses are already making plans for the holidays when most people are still trying on Halloween costumes. They have an amazing ability to know which bulbs will shine the brightest, how many amps your outlets can withstand, and how to keep connectors safe from wet mulch. In their work trucks, which are part toolbox and part Santa’s sleigh, you can find everything from old-fashioned C9 bulbs to dazzling LEDs and smart gadgets that will keep your decorations lit up. Do you want to live in a soft white world? Do you like a crazy mix of hues or maybe a blush of pink that isn’t in season? They are ready to go.
When the specialists come to change the lighting, the planning meeting can feel a lot like a fast-paced TV quiz. Do you want starbursts through your trees? There are sketches, samples, and quick-fire questions. Want to add more style to the bushes? All of a sudden, you’re making important choices about color schemes, power loads, and whether or not the picket fence should be a runway.
Timing is almost everything in this world. The calendar fills up faster than a pie does on Thanksgiving. If you miss your window, you’ll have to wait until after the holiday rush to put up your display. If you jump the gun, you can end yourself being the talk of the neighborhood for getting your holiday happiness wrong. Crews rush from street to street, rushing against the setting sun and changing their plans on the fly.
Nature has a role to play as well. Blizzards may knock over the best displays, squirrels can get a taste for cables, and fuses seem to blow right when your cocoa is ready. Luckily, these installers are ready with extra bulbs, backup gear, and the skills to fix problems quickly. It’s a fine line between getting enough power for that holiday glow and not so much that you trip the breakers. It’s all about making that lovely winter night gleam.
Families like to keep things fresh by changing the colors and patterns of their installations every year. Rental solutions are becoming more popular. Pros take care of everything from installation to storage to the big reveal next season. No more cold fingers or embarrassing wrestling contests in the attic in January.
The most amazing thing is that while most of us are getting over the holidays, the lighting experts are already coming up with ideas for next year’s splendor. They write down what impressed them the most, what could use some work, and who might need to change a light bulb at midnight. You just have to flip a switch, soak up the festive glow, and drink something hot inside. You’re glad you stayed away from the ladder this year.