Holiday lights are one of the best parts of the season. Whether they’re wrapped around trees or hanging neatly from rooflines, outdoor Christmas lights bring a warm, festive look to your yard or front porch. But if you’ve ever dealt with broken bulbs, tangled strands, or lights that quit halfway through December, you know how frustrating it can be when your setup doesn’t hold up.
To save time and avoid headaches, there are a few simple things we always keep in mind to help lights last longer. These steps don’t take much extra work, but they can make a big difference in how your display holds up, especially in a place like Lafayette, Louisiana, where rain can sneak in during the holiday season.
Choose the Right Type of Lights
Not all lights are made for the same job. Using the wrong type in the wrong place is one of the fastest ways to wear them out or cause a short.
- Always use lights labeled for outdoor use. These strands are built to handle wet, windy weather and have stronger protection on the wires and connections.
- Look for thicker wires and sealed connectors. Water is the biggest problem when it comes to lights failing early. If any part of the connection is open or weak, moisture can sneak in and stop the power from flowing.
- Don’t mix indoor and outdoor lights on the same run. Even if it seems like it’ll be fine for a short time, it just isn’t worth the risk. Indoor lights can crack faster in the cold or short out if rain hits just once.
We find that it’s easier to set things up right the first time than deal with rewiring when something goes wrong.
EdenScapes uses professional materials designed for outdoor conditions, which helps displays stand up to local Louisiana weather from start to finish.
Keep Connections Dry and Off the Ground
Power connections are often the weak point in a holiday setup. Even if the lights themselves are tough, plugs and cords sitting in wet areas can break down fast.
- Use outdoor-rated outlet covers that close fully around the plugs. These are made to keep rain from seeping into the outlet and can protect both the plug and the box it’s attached to.
- Don’t let plugs and wires touch bare ground. If they sit in wet grass or puddles, moisture can creep up into the connections. We like to raise cords up on bricks, hooks, or anything solid to keep them off the dirt.
- Plug your outdoor Christmas lights into GFCI outlets only. These shut off automatically if anything goes wrong, helping protect the setup from shorting or sparking.
A little protection can go a long way in keeping things safe and working well from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.
Use the Right Tools to Hang Them
Hanging lights the wrong way can damage the wires before you even turn them on. We’ve seen plenty of strands ruined by sharp nails or tight pulls.
- Stick with plastic light clips instead of anything sharp. These are made to hold the cord in place without pinching or poking the insulation. They also make it easier to remove the lights later without tearing paint or shingles.
- Don’t overstretch light strands. Give them just enough slack so they sit flat but don’t pull taut. When lights are stretched too tight, joints can weaken and break, especially when it turns cold.
- Avoid areas with rough edges. Siding, brick corners, or tree bark that rubs against the cord can slowly wear the insulation down, which increases the risk of breaks or outages.
We’ve found that when lights go up cleanly and without stress on the wires, they tend to stay in good shape a lot longer.
Set Timers and Give Lights a Rest
Keeping your lights on all night might look nice, but it can wear them out quicker than you think. Using a timer helps extend their life and makes things easier for you, too.
- Set the lights to turn on at dusk and off a few hours later, maybe by 10 or 11. That way you still get the full evening glow, but you’re not running them all night while everyone’s asleep.
- Lights need rest, just like anything electric. Turning them off during daylight hours keeps the bulbs from getting too warm and lowers the chance of burnout.
- Timers are useful for busy families who don’t want to think about remembering switches every night. Once we set one, we rarely have to adjust it unless the weather changes a lot.
Giving the lights a break each night helps them shine better and last long enough to use again next season.
Pack Them Up the Right Way After the Holidays
How you store your lights when the season ends matters just as much as how you set them up. Smart packing keeps them untangled and tested for next year.
- Always let the lights dry completely before packing them into storage. Louisiana winters aren’t super cold, but they can be damp. Wet wires tucked into boxes can get moldy or rusty before next year rolls around.
- Wrap each strand loosely in a circle and store them in a way that keeps the wires from bending or folding too tightly. Avoid stuffing lights into bags or boxes where they can get trapped under heavier items.
- Keep them off the garage floor if you can. Rodents and bugs love dark corners, so choose a shelf or plastic storage container with a snug-fitting lid.
Taking a few extra minutes at the end of the season can save you hours of sorting and replacing next year.
EdenScapes brings storage and setup strategies to both homes and businesses, so displays keep their shape no matter what the weather does.
Longer-Lasting Lights, Less Holiday Stress
When we take care of our outdoor Christmas lights, they’re more likely to stay bright all the way through the season, and maybe even into the next one. By choosing strong, outdoor-rated products, keeping everything dry, and handling wires the right way, we avoid the most common problems that cause early burnout.
Planning ahead can lower the chances of tangled cords, flickering lines, or equipment that stops working mid-December. And when the lights stay strong, we all get to enjoy that familiar holiday glow a little longer, without the stress of fixing things every weekend.
Keep your lights shining bright all season long in Lafayette, LA with a setup built to last. From durable clips to safer wiring, every detail matters for a worry-free holiday. Discover how we handle outdoor Christmas lights that can stand up to wet weather and long nights. At EdenScapes, we’re ready to help you plan a holiday lighting display that shines better and lasts longer, just give us a call when you’re ready to get started.