

Paula Paterson's neighbour goes all out when it comes to holiday decorating. Instead of taking each one down individually, one solid tug onto the grass or padding over the driveway is all it takes when it’s time for the decorations to go back into storage.Īnyone in your neighborhood already using these tricks? Have you tried them yourself? Send us a picture on Facebook or Twitter, then follow us for DIY ideas to repurpose your string lights after the holidays.A homeowner in Linden Woods has playfully managed to steal the spotlight from a Christmas-light loving neighbour. Using magnetic clips makes putting lights up a breeze and taking them down even easier. Any remaining string can be wrapped around the Grinch’s hands or left to train behind him as he makes an escape. This makes it look as though he actually pulled them off. It looks most convincing if the line is relatively straight from his hands to the roof, not sagging too much in transition, and if the string only goes partially or less than halfway around the roof. Place the string lights in his hands and run the rest of the strand along the gutter. Pose your Grinch sneaking away from the house and aim the spotlight at him so he can be seen at night. Most commonly, this is a painted wood cutout, but you can get creative with it. When you have evidence that the Grinch stole (or is in the process of stealing) your lights, who is to say you didn’t have the best display in the neighborhood until his well-timed vendetta? All you need is one strand of string lights, a spotlight, and a Grinch. As a bonus, either of these can be left out all year to add some light to your backyard barbecues once warmer weather returns. You can also use laser light projectors for more concentrated pinpricks of color and patterns. In addition to solid colors, many flood lights can be set to different style effects including flash, strobe, and slow fade. They use either an infrared or radio frequency controller to customize your display. Flood Lights and Laser Projectorsįor a solid wash of color changing light, RGB flood lights are the way to go. These clips grip the brick on the side of your house securely enough for string lights, but are not recommended for rope light. Installation is similar as well, but in addition to all-in-one clips and magnetic clips, you could use brick clips.

It’s easier to get consistent lettering on the living room floor rather than outside with gravity working against you.
#DITTO CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ZIP#
Similar to rope light, it’s recommended you spell out “Ditto” and zip tie everything together prior to placing the sign. However, to get thick letters, you’ll need to connect several strands together and have several strands placed closely together. LED mini string lights are also popular and easier to hang because of their lighter weight and are easier to bend around tight curves. Your tight curves, letter height and spacing will all be preserved with little to no slippage depending on how you store your sign. When you’re ready to pack everything up for next year, consider keeping the zip ties in place rather than wrapping the rope light back up. Repeated bending in different directions risks damaging the lights and wiring inside the tube.

Hard turns aren’t a problem unless you’re bending the rope light back and forth. This second option allows you to create the arrow from the same run rather than using a second section of rope light. To cross the t’s, you can either loop back around from the “o” or make each “t” like a four leaf clover. Since rope light can become brittle in the cold, it’s ideal to measure out a similar space inside, such as the living room floor. You will need rope light, zip ties (clear are preferred), and a way to keep your sign in place. Rope light is very good at spelling out cursive letters. It’s been featured on the Ellen DeGeneres show and has been called “the anti-keeping-up-with-the-Jones-approach.” While you can buy a pre-designed sign with “DITTO” and an arrow, there are two DIY approaches you could take as well. This trend goes back to at least 2009, but it’s grown in popularity since then. Here are four last minute Christmas decorating ideas that don’t require hours on a ladder. It’s not too late to string up some last minute decorations that will still get your home noticed. There’s less than two weeks until Christmas, but if you don’t already have your Christmas lights up, never fear.
