🎄 Homeowner Corner: The Great Christmas Light Adventure (and How Not to End Up in a Holiday blooper reel)

Ah, December. The one time of year when otherwise reasonable adults decide to climb ladders, crawl on roofs, and wrestle with 47 feet of knotted extension cords—all in the name of “festive cheer.”

If you’re gearing up to hang Christmas lights, here’s a quick guide to staying safe, staying sane, and avoiding becoming the star of the next neighborhood viral video.

1. The Ladder Is Not Your Friend (But It Can Be If You Treat It Right)

Listen… we all think we’re more coordinated than we really are. But ladders? Ladders love to expose the truth.

• Make sure it’s on flat ground.

• Don’t lean it on that one gutter that’s been questionable since 2019.

• And for the love of mistletoe, don’t stand on the very top step. That’s not a step. That is a cry for help.

2. Test the Lights Before You Hang Them

Every year someone decorates their entire house, flips the switch, and… nothing.
Save yourself the heartbreak: plug those bad boys in first.
If half the strand is out? You have two options:
A) Hunt for the one evil bulb sabotaging your holiday spirit
B) Toss the whole strand and pretend you’re upgrading to a “more efficient” look

3. Extension Cords: The Silent Assassins

Those green outdoor cords? They’re great—if they’re actually meant for outside.
Make sure yours are weather-rated, not frayed, and not plugged into a single overloaded outlet that looks like it might start smoking at any moment.
If your display rivals the Griswolds, consider spreading the wattage love around a bit.

4. Roofs Are Slippery—Even When You’re Feeling Confident

If your plan involves actually walking on the roof… maybe rethink your plan.
Wet shingles + gravity = a very undignified slide into your shrubs.
Use clips instead of climbing—your future self (and your ankles) will thank you.

5. When in Doubt, Go for Minimalist Chic

Nothing says “classy holiday spirit” like a simple wreath and a strand of lights that you didn’t have to risk your life to hang.
Your neighbors aren’t judging your display. They’re judging whether yours looks better than theirs, and honestly, that’s on them.

Bottom line: Hang those lights. Make the house glow. But let’s keep your holiday spirit high and your emergency room visits low.

If you’d like recommendations for local pros who can take on the high-ladder heroics for you, I’ve got some great contacts! Happy decorating! 🎅✨