Just a Twinkle For the Season

For those of us in the decorating business, Christmas time is already here.  Planning is underway, decorations are being purchased and the schedules are filling up!  I focus on the interior of a home but when it comes to outdoor decorating, I turn to Eddie McNeal of Just a Twinkle for the Season. His business focuses on nothing but outdoor holiday decor. Eddie is a fabulous resource for me and my clients so I wanted to share some insight with you that he shared with me.

Trends in outdoor decorating:
1. Using LED/commercial lighting.  Forget your Walmart strands, these commercial lights don't have to be scrapped when just one bulb burns out.   Another huge benefit is that up to 46 strands can be connected and feed off of one outlet.  When you order these commercial lights, they are cut to fit your exact dimensions leaving no excess.  That means you don't have to worry about getting tangled up in wires.

2. Yard art. Tasteful yard decorations are all the rage- everything from wooden reindeer to oversized ornaments for the lawn.  If you can't find the exact piece for your yard, look into having it made.  A good craftsman should be able to create the shape you envision and you'll have it for Christmases to come.

3. Shaped lights. What are those?  The lights that are shaped like icicles or candy canes or snowmen or, well you get the picture.  You typically see them hanging from the roofline of a home.  One thing to know before you buy these types of lights- be sure to purchase the  kind that won't blow in the wind and flip up into your gutters.  You don't want to have to climb up there and end up hanging off the edge of your house Clark Griswold style!

4. Outdoor trees covered in lights.  Depending on your overall theme and size of your tree this could mean draping in simple white lights only OR adding large outdoor tree ornaments to create a Christmas tree that would rival the one in Rockefellar Center. 

A good rule of thumb for the appropriate time span of decorations is Thanksgiving to New Year's.  It's okay if you don't spend New Year's Day packing up your decorations, but by the end of the week you want to have things taken down. 

Thanks to Eddie for his insider advice.  If you need some help with your outdoor decor, call Just a Twinkle for the Season at 859.519.7424.

Happy holiday decorating!!