The initial click is undeniably thrilling, one moment it was as black as the middle of the night, and the next moment your yard has been taken out of the set of a holiday film. Somebody is standing on a ladder behind that glittering picture, however, and they are banging their teeth and they are asking themselves why one obstinate bulb will not turn on. Get extra resources here!

Being honest, it is not that easy to hang Christmas lights. You are so messed up in wires before you know it that you are wondering why you made these life choices. Start small. You can save so much frustration in the future even though it is a hastily drawn sketch on the back of an envelope, you have a plan.

In the case of lights, the same. That home, by the fire atmosphere is achieved with warm white lights, but the multicolor lights shout, “Party time! Where you can, use LEDs–they consume less power and they have a longer life. And here is one of the most important pieces of advice: never connect different types of lights on the same circuit except when you want to experience regular power failures during the holidays.

It is here that the contrast between the dreamers and the planners appears; the hanging process. Don’t rush it. Skip the tape and nails. Where the rain comes, the tape will run and the nails can do more harm than good. Keep to clips–clip, clip, and maintain a regular beat. Stretch yourself back occasionally, and have your eyes a look at the spacing. Passion may be your driving force, but it is distance that will give you the real picture of how it actually appears.

The best friend during this process is timers. One time plant them, and leave the rest to them. No longer are you going to get out at the late hours in your pajamas and run out of the house to turn off the lights before going to sleep. Believe me, it is too early in the season to go about wrangling with your decorations in the cold.

Then there is the ladder story–all families have one. Somebody always has the idea that it is a good idea to climb a little higher and you hear a wobble, yell and that next year you will get a taller ladder. Be prudent: provide yourself with an assistant, and never leave gravity a character in your holiday.

The actual magic is when the final bulb lights on and your house glitters in the dark. All the hard work fades away. The passer by slows down to appreciate your work, children turn and stare with big eyes, and you suddenly realize why you were putting yourself through all this at all.

But take your lights, and go with a warm drink, and probably a friend who does not mind carrying the ladder. It is sloppy, vexing, and hilarious, sure, but when the house shines like a snow globe it will be worth every minute of it.