7 Tips for Holiday Decorating

Holiday Lights Decorating has provided customers with unique holiday light displays for 20 years. Now, customers can visit the business in its first retail space, where they can see example displays and browse unique decorative items.

Tony Snider, Holiday Lights Decorating owner and decorator, has software that allows him to show shoppers what their light display would look like all set up, without having to physically set anything up. With just a photo of your home or building and the software, Snider can virtually design custom displays for your unique setting and show it to you without even having to leave the store.

See also: Crafeteria 2013 Lineup Announced

The store, 310 South 29th Street, is next to Holiday Lights Decorating's warehouse where they design one-of-a-kind décor. But the decorators don't just design custom displays and put them up for you. At the end of the season, they also break everything down and store it in their warehouse until you need it again. The company has a $500 minimum for their décor services, but because each project is unique, prices can vary. Holiday Lights Decorating will provide you with a free estimate that's specific to your site.

Snider provided Jackalope Ranch readers with a few tips to make your holiday decorating safer and more enjoyable.

7. If you choose a live tree, keep it away from any heat sources, and make sure that you check the water level daily and water when necessary as live trees are highlight flammable and dry trees may cause a serious fire threat.

6. If you purchase an artificial tree, make sure it's fire-resistant.

5. Buy quality lighting and decorations. Spending the extra money on well designed decorations means they will last many, many years without having to be replaced and will be well worth the money.

4. If you are installing your holiday decorations yourself, make it a family event. Go through your decorations, plan on what goes inside and out, play some holiday music, and serve some hot chocolate or eggnog and make this a great occasion to kick off the holiday season.

3. Make sure that you take a few simple safety steps, for instance, if you're working on a ladder, make sure you have someone hold the ladder and hand you up the items you need to reduce having to go up and down.

2. Make sure you know how many light strings can safely be strung together. The manufacturer will list this information on the box. When these measures aren't adhered to, it may cause shorts and potentially fires.

1. Make sure that you wrap all cord outlets and connections in waterproof tape in case of rain. Wet connections can also pose a fire threat or at the least trigger a short.

Because holiday decorating isn't just for December, the store will be open year-round from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Holiday Lights Decorating schedules clients on a first-come first-serve basis, so head to the store soon to see what they have to offer. For more information, visit the Holiday Lights Decorating website or call at 602-692-4668.

Follow Jackalope Ranch on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

• DIY
• Fun