Monday, August 31, 2009

Monday, February 2, 2009

Find High Quality Outdoor Christmas Lights for Discount prices!

The best time to shop for discount outdoor Christmas lights is during the off season, of course. Because no one is think ingredients of or anticipating the holiday décor that can be both costly and hard to find in the spring or summertime. But discount prices are almost always available right after the season.

A wise consumer knows that buying seasonal items during the season will have a large effect on what price you pay. Plan ahead and shop for next year’s supplies right after this season—you will undoubtedly find some great deals on discount outdoor Christmas lights!

However, make sure that the reduced price is because they are overstock or the store is simply trying to get rid of them. If the cheap price indicates a cheap product, then you are better off buying the expensive and trusted brands. Just check that the strands you buy are approved by the UL (Underwriter’s Laboratories), which sets the standard for acceptable and safe lighting.

And test the discount outdoor Christmas lights before you hang them up! Plug them in any outlet and see that the whole strand lights up. If the strand is dark, check if any bulb are burnt out or missing. You can buy separate replacement bulbs rather than buying a whole new strand.

Many stores are now selling hangers to make it easier to install your discount outdoor Christmas lights. You can find metal hooks, wooden supports, small plastic clips, etc. Depending on whether you want to connect your lights to the gutter or other surface. But never staple or nail the wires of your discount outdoor Christmas lights! If you damage the insulation jacket covering the wire, it can corrode or short circuit.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, recreation, education and décor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles about holiday décor, please visit Christmas Lights.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Save Energy This Year With Solar Christmas Lights!

When some people think of Christmas lights, they have fond memories of staring at all the pretty decorations in the neighborhood. Lights that surround the porch, line the roof, or adorn the outdoor trees can be very beautiful and often serve as a creative outlet for holiday lovers all over. In these tight financial times, however, one might be tempted to look at Christmas lights and think about the electric bill that's adding up. Luckily, there is a solar solution to that problem that allows you to keep your creativity and set those lights up anyway.

"Solar Christmas lights?", you might ask. It does seem strange that something that is meant to function in the dark could draw from the sun as its power source. The real secret is a hidden battery wired into the solar collector. The solar panel collects the sun's rays all day and uses the battery to power the lights at night. The lighting system uses an optical sensor to 'know' the difference between day and night.

The burgeoning market for solar Christmas lights has brought with it a wide variety of styles and colors to choose from. The solar strings are practically indistinguishable from the old style electric type when viewed from the street because they are just as bright. They use low energy LED's to make their light, so they can burn brighter than an incandescent bulb and they last longer on less power. The collector can even be hidden inconspicuously in the yard to do its work during the day.

Outdoor solar lights and powerful solar spot lights with ultra bright LEDs at Clean Energies Store.

Find outhow to Make a windmill

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Armand_Hadife

How to Hang Outdoor Christmas Lights

How to hang outdoor Christmas lights is a big ordeal for a lot of people. Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and laughter, but the whole process of putting up outdoor Christmas lights kills a lot of the fun. You should have some basic idea about how to put hang outdoor Christmas lights, so you can enjoy this as much as other yuletide activities.

Hanging outdoor Christmas lights is not necessarily a difficult task. Take a look at our tips to simplify the job and make it a fun filled activity.

Tip # 1

Plan early. Before Christmas is knocking on the door, you should know what exactly you want to do with your outdoor Christmas lights. If it snows and gets really cold where you live, start thinking about it right from the end of August, when the weather is still comfortable. A good idea is to hang icicle lights around the top of your house. For this, you have to screw in hooks under the roof. If you do that, you can put up the lights in a few minutes and there's no way you can make a mess of things. This is also applicable if you want lights around your porch or deck.

Tip # 2

You would do well to put up the lights as early as October or November when it's not that cold. When the holiday season is around the corner, you can fit in a timer and turn them on.

Tip # 3

You can teach your kids how to hang outdoor Christmas lights. They can do all the untangling while you do the actual job of putting the lights up. If the hooks are in place, putting up the outdoor Christmas lights is a piece of cake. Put the wires over the hook and they will stay in position; there will be no risk of damaging the lights.

Tip # 4

From time to time, you will need to change the hooks (they are prone to rusting). But you surely don't have to do that every year. Let the hooks be after the holiday season too. You can use them again the year coming.

Tip # 5

Measurements are important. You need to have at least a rough idea about the measurements of your home so you have enough lights to decorate the space.

Tip #6

Make sure to test your lights before hanging them.

Tip # 7

Get all the tools you need. These include a tape measure, pliers, a hammer and a ladder to complete the job.

Tip # 8

Your ladder needs to be planted on flat ground. It is better and safer to have someone hold it when you are up on it.

Tip # 9

Hang the lights along eaves. Take your time and be careful not to damage your home walls. If you want lights attached to your gutter, use plastic clips. These will stick with the gutter and hold the lights and extension cord.

Need more ideas for outdoor Christmas decorations? Before you go anywhere, come see our nice selection of beautiful Christmas decorations and other gift ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_M._Earl