September 20, 2024
When to Install Holiday Lights? Your Guide to Holiday Lighting Timelines
Have you ever wondered, “When is the right time to put up my holiday lights?” While some feel it’s time to start decorating right after Halloween, others think any holiday lighting before Thanksgiving is premature. Whenever you’re ready to kick the holiday season into high gear, we’ll help to get the job done. However, if you’re struggling to decide on a timeline for your festive seasonal decor this year, here are a few things to consider.
Acceptable vs. Enjoyable
When planning your timeline for holiday lighting, you may be thinking about when it’s considered socially acceptable to start decorating your home, especially the exterior, for the holiday season. Maybe you don’t want to go all-out and cover your home from top to bottom in lights before Halloween, but you may want to be able to enjoy your lights for longer than just a couple of weeks before takedown. Having your property professionally lit for the holiday season is an investment, so the period of time you have them installed is certainly something to consider. Ultimately, holiday lighting is something for you, and your loved ones to enjoy for the season, so the sooner you put up your lights, the longer you can appreciate seeing your property sparkle and shine.
Most Popular Time to Install
Another factor to keep in mind when choosing your holiday lighting timeline is popular installation times. According to a survey from Today’s Homeowner, of Americans who choose to decorate their outdoor spaces for the holidays, about 40% put up their festive decor in the time between Thanksgiving and December 1st. So, if you’re looking to go with a by-the-book installation timeline, the short window between Thanksgiving and December is prime decorating time. However, you might consider that since most people are wanting to install around the same time, it could be more convenient to get your install squared away before schedules get busier.
In Time for Events
If you’re hosting any special events or parties this season at your home, business, or even your community, the date of your event is also an important factor in determining when you should get your lights installed. Having your lights up before your event will increase the “wow” factor for your guests, and create a stunning atmosphere for your gathering.
Neighborhood Guidelines
It’s also important to take note of any rules or restrictions your community has around decorating your property. Certain communities or HOAs may only allow holiday lights for a specific window of time, so always double check to make yourself aware of any local regulations when planning your holiday lighting timeline.
Our Recommended Install Date
In our 30 years of experience with holiday lighting, we’ve cracked the code on what works best for most of our clients’ timelines. The secret is; when you have the lights installed doesn’t really matter as much as when you turn them on for the season. Many of our experienced clients choose to have their lights installed before they actually want their property lit up, so once they’re ready for that festive glow, all they have to do is turn the lights on. Year after year, we see clients wanting to install earlier, with some installs taking place as early as September or October, simply so they can maximize their enjoyment of the project. Whether you want your lights up as soon as possible, or want to wait until just the right time to turn them on, Brite Nites wants to make the process smooth and worry-free. So, as soon as you’re ready to get started, fill out a webform or give us a call.