There’s something special about seeing homes light up for the holidays. From simple roofline lighting to colorful displays covering trees, bushes and porches, holiday lights are an easy way to make your home feel festive.

Before you start untangling last year’s lights, a little planning can make decorating much easier. Having the right lights, power supplies and hanging accessories will help you create a display that looks great all season long.

Here are a few tips and products to help you get started!

Find the Right Holiday Lights

The first step is choosing your lights. With so many styles available, think about the look you want and where you’ll be decorating.

Traditional string lights are great for wrapping trees and decorating railings. Icicle lights are popular for rooflines, while net lights make decorating bushes and shrubs much quicker. You can also find larger bulbs, colorful options and different styles to create a display that fits your home.

LED lights are another popular choice. They use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and generally produce less heat.

Before shopping, measure the areas you plan to decorate so you know how many strands you’ll need. If you’re reusing older lights, check for damaged wires, broken bulbs or loose connections before hanging them.

Browse the holiday lighting selection at Ace Hardware of Fort Collins to find the styles that work best for your home.

Make Decorating Easier with Smart Outdoor Power

Once you’ve picked your lights, you’ll need a convenient way to power everything. Outdoor timers and smart plugs can make managing your holiday display much easier.

The Feit Smart Home Outdoor 6-Outlet Smart-Enabled Outlet Stake (Item #3003956) is a great option for homes with multiple outdoor decorations. This Wi-Fi-enabled plug features six outlets, allowing you to control several devices from one location.

Using the Feit Electric app, you can turn lights on and off, create schedules and set timers from your smartphone. It also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for convenient voice control.

For a simpler option, the Prime Outdoor Timer with Remote Control (Item #3001318) features two grounded outlets and several timing options, including two, four, six and eight-hour settings, repeat cycles and dusk-to-dawn operation.

Both products help take some of the daily work out of managing your holiday display.

Keep Your Lights in Place with the Right Clips

Evenly spaced lights can make a big difference in the finished look of your display. Instead of using nails, staples or tape, choose clips designed specifically for holiday lighting.

The Celebrations Outdoor Universal Gutter/Shingle Light Clips, 100 Count (Item #9070280) make hanging lights easier. They attach to most gutters and roof shingles without putting holes in your home’s exterior.

They’re compatible with mini lights, C7 and C9 bulbs, tube lights and icicle strands. Each clip also has a secondary hook to help stabilize icicle lights or secure extension cords against wind and movement.

For tube and icicle lights, spacing clips every 6 to 18 inches helps create a neat, consistent appearance. They’re also easy to remove when the season is over.

Get Holiday Ready at Ace Hardware!

A great holiday lighting display doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right lights, convenient power options and a few helpful accessories, you can create something festive that you’ll enjoy all season long.

Stop by Ace Hardware of Fort Collins at Harmony and Lemay to explore our holiday lighting selection and find everything you need to get decorating!