How to Hang Christmas Lights

Step 1: Holiday Spirit
Get in the spirit of the season with Christmas lights. Here's how to hang both types. The larger, nightlight-size, heavy-duty bulbs are the C-7 or C-9 size bulbs. If one goes out, the rest still work. They can be very hot and use a lot of electricity.

Step 2: Twinkle Lights
Mini lights are more affordable and use less electricity. Make sure they’re designed for outdoor use if you want to hand them outside.

Step 3: Good Measure
Measure the area you want to decorate. Use 25- or 50-foot light strings, and not longer, so it will be easier to find and replace broken bulbs.

Step 4: Burn Out
Use lights with a male plug-in on one side of the cord and a female receptacle on the other. Lay the strings out and inspect them for broken bulbs or worn wires. Plug in the cord and check for burned-out bulbs.

Step 5: Blow a Fuse
If a string of lights isn’t working, replace the fuse. If it still doesn’t work, discard it.

Step 6: Off the Hook
Never use tacks, nails or staples to hang the cords. Use plastic hangers or eye-hooks with ties, or S hooks that can hook right under the gutter.

Step 7: Great Outdoors
Make sure your extension cord is for outdoor use and use a GFCI outlet and an outdoor timer.

Items You'll Need for this GMC Trade Secret

• large or mini lights
• measuring tape
• plastic hangers, eye-hooks or S hooks
• GFCI outlet
• outdoor timer