Who we write for
Homeowners and renters across the United States decorating for the holidays, from a single window to a full outdoor display.
Everything here lives in one category, Holiday Decor: choosing lights and bulb types, comparing artificial trees, planning outdoor displays within circuit limits, and storing decorations so next year is easier.
The idea behind the site
Holiday decorating is planned in a rush every November and undone in a rush every January. Lights that worked last year stop halfway along the roofline, a pre-lit tree loses a section and the extension cord turns out to be the wrong one.
Most of the frustration comes from a few choices that can be made before the first strand comes out of the box.
Principles
- We start from the layout. Measuring the roofline and the tree before buying decides how many strands you need.
- We explain bulbs and loads. LED, incandescent and mini lights draw very different power. We say what that means for cords.
- We say when to simplify. A tidy display beats a crowded one, and we say so.
- We keep safety in front. Ladders, cords and wet weather are repeated where they matter.
Who writes here
Beatrice Lindgren — Editor. Beatrice spent twelve years as a seasonal-department manager and display designer for a garden-and-home retailer in Michigan, hanging lights on demo houses and untangling strands. She writes Holiday Light Lab for the household that wants a good-looking house and a smooth December.
Where we stop
Electrical advice. We explain ratings in plain terms. We do not give instructions for wiring, circuits or outdoor power installation.
Ladder and roof work. We do not recommend that readers climb onto roofs. Where height is involved, we say to use proper equipment and help or hire a professional.
Warranty and return disputes. We explain common terms. We do not interpret your agreement.
Funding
Running Holiday Light Lab costs money, and two things cover it: display ads selected by third-party networks, and the occasional affiliate link. We never see the ads beforehand, advertisers cannot touch our copy, and a commission has never changed a conclusion — a good deal of our advice is to use fewer strands and store them properly, which earns us the least. The details are in the Disclaimer.
Corrections
Nobody is right all the time. Products and ratings change each season, and we occasionally miss a revision. Use the contact form to point out a mistake; we check it against the source, correct the article and say what we changed.
Contact us
Questions, disagreements and topic suggestions are welcome through our Contact page. We cannot see your house, but we can usually tell you which two measurements to take before you shop.