Saturday, November 7, 2015

Saturday Suggestion: On the next warm day, put holiday lights up!

Thinking about what to write today, I came up with a possible idea for a new blog series.

This series may not happen every week, but at least from time-to-time, I plan to offer a "Saturday Suggestion" for a helpful way to "make the most - - of a moment." Today's suggestion comes from my own concern that I may have missed an opportunity to do just that ...

Don't wait till it's miserably cold outside to string your holiday lights

I'm looking out at my snow-covered trees and property, and hoping the white stuff will melt.  When and if it does, I plan to scurry out there, and string my holiday lights, before it snows again.

A snowy start to November in Montana
I am still seeing a lot of snow outside my kitchen window!
I won't turn my holiday lights on until after Thanksgiving, but they are much easier to put up when tree branches are bare of snow; temperatures are above freezing; and the wind is not howling! I have ignored the voice in my head telling me to take advantage of perfect weather to work outside too many times. We
have waited to decorate, on too many occasions, until we've had to do it in miserable conditions. I'm hoping to have a nice day yet this year to complete this task!

Stringing lights is easier when the weather is wwarm and you have the right tool.

A few years ago I discovered a really useful trick to hanging lights on tall trees. The secret to it is a light hanging pole, an easily purchased tool (which I have found to be well worth every penny!) The article I wrote a while back, The Easy Way to Hang Christmas Lights gives a detailed explanation of exactly how to make use of it, as well as some safety precautions to observe when hanging lights.  I can't imagine hanging (or dismantling) lights on our trees without this tool now.  You can learn more about it (and even purchase it) right here:


I don't like to rush the season, so I probably will still wait till at least the week of Thanksgiving to put out our holiday wreaths, etc - but until I actually let electricity flow to the lights, no one will even notice they are there.

It is not too early to put up holiday lights ... I just hope I'm not too late!

When do put up your holiday lights? 
Do you like my idea for a Saturday Suggestion Series?

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21 comments :

  1. You are right, now is the time to get them up! I need to go get mine out of the attic. Maybe that will be a good project for one evening this week.

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    1. I am thinking the same ... if the snow would just melt!

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  2. That's what we used to do..and the first decent day after Christmas they came down.

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    1. We typically turn ours on between Thanksgiving (American) and December 1. I leave them up a little longer than you though - usually until about mid-January. Our lights are all white, and they help brighten that very long, dark part of winter in the somewhat rural area where we live.

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    2. You could use them for Valentines Day lol.

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    3. That might be pushing it just a little ... although I have been known to turn on the lights that outline my metal horse sculpture on some summer evenings when we entertain!

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  3. I'm in Minnesota, so we learned some time ago to get those lights up early before the snow flys. This year we've actually had above normal temps, so the lights are up! My biggest pet peeve, though, is when I see Christmas decor on houses when it's Easter!

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    1. Hi Laurie. Decorated already - I'm impressed! We just had a conversation last night about how cold it can be in Minnesota! And yes - I agree, although my even bigger peeve is seeing Christmas merchandise in the stores before Halloween!

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  4. We have had Christmas merchandise in the store for months. Which does my head in, and infuriates me. And, in the week after Christmas, hot cross buns will go on sale.
    Sigh.

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    1. Yes - Collective Sigh. Commercialism at its best.

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  5. I can't believe you already have snow. I'm not ready.
    I do like the idea of your Saturday Suggestion Series.

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    1. We were about a month late getting our first snowfall this year Karen! I had just been getting used to the beautiful fall weather, and had secretly hoped it would last till Spring! Thanks for the feedback on my new Sat. Suggestion Series.

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  6. I remember your light pole post! And guess what? I was thinking the same thing about the lights two days ago when it was sunny. I heard a metallic rattle. Ladder? Neighbour? Lights? Nope. But should have been. I'm stringin' ours up next chance I get. Thx for the nudge.

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    1. It was warm here yesterday, but all the snow on the ground deterred me from getting out there. I hope it melts some more ... and that we both pay timely attention to the "nudge" Kelly. And how fun that we have been friends long enough to remember each other's past posts!

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  7. Not only do we have Christmas merchandise in the stores, the garlands are strung from their ceilings already! They went up last week, all green and glittery with baubles.
    Many people here leave their lights up all the time, especially if they're just white lights strung along their porch. Over-the-top Christmas decorations are usually taken down, but I like seeing the white lights left up. Those people light them up for Easter, for birthday parties etc.
    I don't do lights myself, don't even own any, but the flats here have so many outdoor security lights I don't need them.

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    1. I like white lights as well, any time of year. Last year our trees had grown so tall, we actually left some of the strands on them, as they were quite unnoticable when not lit. Hopefully they will still work this year. Bulbs have blown out on the strands on my metal horse sculpture, so I will need to restring those!

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  8. Susan that would be a great idea, to have a suggestion Saturday. I usually put up my christmas goodies after Thanksgiving but this year I'm going to do it earlier simply because now that I'm a blogger I live in a parallel universe. Love the snow so much and your lights look splendid..

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    1. I'm glad you like my Suggestion Saturday idea Mary. It seems to fit with the mission of my blog. Your observation of being a "blogger living in a parallel universe" is spot-on. I have yet to master doing this in enough of a timely fashion to get photos taken and posts soon enought to be published on time. Food blogging photos are much better taken in natural light ... too often I find myself baking for the next days post late at night!

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  9. Great idea for a series! I don't put up Christmas lights outside anymore although I used to when the kids were growing up. I may again sometime, but it's been awhile. I am planning on doing the tree next weekend so I will have it up for Thanksgiving dinner. I can't wait to see the babies expressions when they see it for the first time. Yesterday we had their first birthday party! Their birthday was actually Thursday, but we celebrated it on Sat. Today I am recovering from cooking a huge family dinner all while babysitting both of them! Have a great week!

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    1. You will have such a fun holiday season with the babies this year Rena! I hope you have a good week too!

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  10. I love that idea for a series, Susan! Perfect for your blog. We usually put our lights up the weekend after Thanksgiving - and have been known to do it in the wind and rain. Hoping for one dry day this year!

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