Sign in or Create an account Christmas Decorations From Cities Around the WorldI don't understand people who say Christmas lights put them in a good mood. They obviously must be paying somebody else to do their light purchasing, stringing, and storing—because holiday lights are a major headache. But you can make the whole process a little bit easier if you keep a few of these easy tips in mind. DON'T buy too many or too few lights. Plan ahead and get only what you need. If you have floorplans or blueprints of your home, use those measurements as a guide for how many feet of light string you will need outside. Inside on the tree, a good rule of thumb is 100 to 150 lights per vertical foot. DO be a good neighbor. This guide to holiday light etiquette includes a few tips on keeping peace with your Christmas lights in a lit-up neighborhood this holiday season. DON'T have an unpacking accident. When you're getting the old outdoor lights out of storage, watch out for broken bulbs with sharp edges and replace them right away.

DO get creative with DIY. Want to jazz up your boring light string? Use ping pong balls to get a globular glow, or use cupcake liners to turn your light string into a flowering vine.exterior paint colors brown DON'T overwork your extension cord. christmas tree decorations ideas pinterestSplurge on heavy-duty extension cords (Gizmodo reccomends a 16-gauge cord for 25 feet or less, or 14-gauge for more than 25 feet) that are listed for outdoor use (they usually have a "W" on the package). making christmas tree decorations bookTo avoid overloading, only link five strings of lights together before plugging into an extension cord. DON'T get caught off guard by high bills.

Lighting up your home like Las Vegas doesn't come cheap. Use an energy cost calculator to estimate the extra cash you'll be shelling out in utility bills to fund your festive display. DO go for energy-efficient lights. LED lights last longer, shine brighter and use less energy than traditional bulb strings. Solar-powered Christmas lights cost a bit more, but they have no wires to attach and they automatically turn on at night and off at dawn. DON'T leave your lights on around the clock. You can cut your holiday power use even further with light timers. Have lights come on at dusk, and shut off in the early morning hours, after your family and any light-gazers have settled for the night. DON'T leave your lights out too long after the holidays. Sun, wind, rain, and snow all take their toll on Christmas lights. The longer you leave them up after Christmas, the sooner you'll have to replace them. DO store your light strings in a dark place when the holidays are over. Red, green, blue and purple lights, especially, will lose their color due to fading.

DO keep light strings untangled when not in use. The coffee can trick from Danny Seo is great for this, and will save your future self from headaches dealing with tangles when the holiday season rolls around again next year. (Images: Shutterstock, AdvancedMischief/Instructables, EcoGeekLiving, Danny Seo)Stately and simple or dressed in holiday finery, a tree is an enduring symbol of Christmas. Steal ideas from some of our faves! The homeowner’s favorite lavender and green color palette adorns the living room and its tree. The happy hue lends itself perfectly to the baubles and ornaments of the holidays. A detail of the tree is on the following slide. The jewel-tone ornaments of the tree draw from the existing color scheme. Gifts wrappings coordinate with the fun ornaments. A big, full Christmas tree matches this living room’s grand proportions. Strung with yards and yards of lights, it is a joyful—and spectacular—holiday focal point. A large Christmas tree is visible the minute you walk in this home.

Feathers, owls, and a burlap skirt create a woody nature theme. This tree glitters in gold, which is a natural extension of the room’s warm palette. With trimmings piled on, including a fun paper chain and faux snow, and topped with a gold star that’s a twist on the traditional, this tree sparkles with delight. This traditional tree shimmers and shines with its ribbon and ornaments in classic colorings. A hearty, festive bow tops it all off. Inspired by the home’s equestrian history, horse figures and plaids prevail in this house’s design. The great room’s towering tree dazzles with hundreds of red, gold, and plaid ornaments. Because the homeowner decided she wanted to use pink to make a statement on her tree, she topped it with a giant, playful pink bow. An array of ornaments—many pink—in different sizes mix with white doves to create visual interest. The sea-inspired palette of turquoise and lime in this Savannah home carry over to the holiday decorations.

The glass balls on the tree and the colorful wrapping of the gifts underneath reflect the seaside tones. A palm frond tree topper is the perfect final touch. Pinecones, berries, and candy canes adorn this tree as well as botanic postcards. Ribbons threaded through punched holes turn the cards into ornaments. The Weather Inside’s Delightful With “snow-brushed” branches, assorted pinecones, and cranberry bunches, the natural theme of this tall tree brings the beauty of winter inside without the cold. The large, glittery starburst atop the tree is enhanced by thick curly ribbons in red and gold. Decorative ribbon can be a fun element to add the usual ornament-and-light mix. Basking in natural light by day and glowing in the dark by night, we love the way a full, decorated tree looks in a window bump out. Cheerful red pops against the fresh, green tree. The multitude of Santa ornaments pays tribute to the big man himself. Silver and blue—a classic holiday color combination—adorns this little tree without overwhelming it.

Any ordinary houseplant can become a merry decoration when struck with a little holiday spirit. A small tree on a desk, nightstand, or dresser is a great way to bring holiday cheer to a child’s room. For a fun, personal touch, use a theme to trim the tree, like your child’s favorite hobby. Oversized glass balls in solid colors look at home on a full tree. Beneath the tree, gifts wrapped in various solid colors are subtle but enticing. Details on the following slide. A mixture of ornaments in varying colors, shapes and textures dangle on the branches of the tree. Here, a large white fir tree decorated simply in blue and silver ornamental balls with ribbon streaming from the top creates a classic Christmas atmosphere. Gifts crowd around the base of the tree, sparking the children’s excitement. Symmetry is perfected with twin wreaths hanging outside the windows, while the home’s bright interior invites the snowy landscape inside. See details on the following slide.

A tree in the bedroom is a fun way to spread the holiday spirit throughout the home, as well as a chance to experiment with holiday themes. This bedroom’s woodsy palette is taken to the next level with a tree decorated with small birds, gold icicles, and other natural elements. Tiny trees throughout the home are a charming way to spread cheer. In this entry hall, gold rings and pinecones provide the pretty. A host of holiday decorations keeps this large tree from darkening the sunny living room. Santas, reindeer, snowflakes, icicles, and colored balls gleam from the tree’s ample branches. Sparkling red, green, and blue balls bring an exceptionally festive feel to this living room. A cornucopia of ornaments tells the family’s history. Gifts wrapped in complementary colors ground the vibrant tree. Cherry red and snow white add holiday spirit to a green color scheme. This cozy nook is turned into a festive space with the addition of a red-and-white pillow and throw.

A frosty mini-tree is adorned with graphic crimson birds. Nothing says Christmas like a tree and roaring fire. Simple white lights on the tree illuminate its folksy ornaments without competing with the room’s color palette. Fresh boughs over the mantel add another layer of charm. A Tree with Imposing Height Verticality counts in this vaulted living room. Reflecting the stately mantel and high ceilings, this tree stands tall while minimizing its impact on the floor space. Thick ribbons wind through its branches; shimmering ornaments are right at home in the room’s warm color scheme. “The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect.” Notice how placing the tree by the piano adds instant warmth to the room. Radiant streams of light come from this showstopping Christmas tree, beautifully framed with the entryway connecting the dining room to the living room, accented by classical statuary. Surprise guests and spread Christmas cheer by scattering small trees throughout your home.

Try decorating them in unexpected palettes like this one of turquoise, green and gold. “Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” Here we come a’caroling! A cluster of carolers atop a dear old piano adds a little more magic to this Christmas tree setting. This towering tree dressed in shimmering gold finery brings back memories of other trees, other Christmases. Do Not Open ‘Til December 25 We like the way a gift placed on a chair beside the tree heightens the sense of Yuletide anticipation. Once Again As In Olden Days The traditional tree in this parlor, along with greens and red balls on the mantel, make it an inviting place to gather family and friends. “The stockings were hung from the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.” In this lovely dining room, the richly patterned walls and gold-trimmed tree create an ideal setting for a holiday meal. “At Christmas, all roads lead home.”

A children’s train set winds its way around the tree, contributing a touch of nostalgia. Note the handmade ornament on the tree that the train encircles; children’s decorations make a traditional tree all the more endearing. This full and festive tree looks just right decorated in traditional Christmas colors. Adorn your tree in colors that enhance your space’s palette. “The best Christmas trees come very close to exceeding nature.” This Labradoodle is waiting so patiently for Santa he’s sure to get a special treat. The jewel tones of the decorations—jade and purple—bring out the green of the tasseled velvet sofa. A mini forest of silvery trees along with bells and greens adds luminosity to the holiday, further enhanced by the mirror. When you position a tree by windows, it can be enjoyed from both the inside and out. White lights on the trees flanking the entrance to this Spanish Mission style home are elegantly simple; the glimpse of the tree inside promises more to come.

A traditionally trimmed tree works well in this relaxed family room. Placed in front of a mirror against gorgeous wallpaper, a small tree provides a classic holiday touch. "The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." Pencil trees flank French doors, punctuated by a wreath in the center. A forest of paper and feather trees tops a tabletop. The fruit decorations look fresh and pretty in this dining area. This antique tree sets off a collection of Santas. Decorated in gold and red, the tree is the centerpiece of a slightly Bohemian library. Multicolored balls enhance the warmth of the room's rugs and wooden floors. "Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall." White and Gold Formality Multi-paned windows are storybook perfect with this lovely tree. Isn't this fun for a bedroom? Dr. Seuss would approve!