There are many different ways of starting the time consuming process of hanging your outside Christmas lights. I am going to list the ones that help me.

1.Start as early as you can. The best time to start is just after you have hung this years lights.

2. Plan, think and plan some more! This gives you time to decide what effect you are after and work out how to achieve it. The plan will be a work in progress for a while.

3. Decide on your "Theme" are you just hanging fairy lights around the gables or being more adventurous and showing the neighbors what you can do. The theme will help you decide what kind of lights you will need and a starting point on where you want to hang them. You will also decide colours at this point. There are some people who make some spectacular displays with music as well - what is yours to be?

4. Measure where you plan to hang the lights, always an extra , make a note of where the power points are.

5.Work out the number of sets. This can be a tricky step, because it is a combination of length of set, where you want to hang it and where power points are. Sets come in different lengths with different numbers of bulbs on them.

6. Purchase sets. At this point you need to decide what kind of set you need, led, C5 or C7, maybe solar or battery operated sets. Ensure that all outdoor Christmas lights sets are rated for outdoor use. You may need to revisit step 5 depending upon what is available. If you can purchase your lights in the sales of off season it will be much cheaper.

7. Work out whther you need any extra power points and get a qualified electrican to install them considering thing like have a switch inside to turn lights on/off. ALways ensure power points are waterproof and try to get them in convenient places for the lighting design

8. Make sure you have all the necessary fixing to hang your lights such as clips, screws, nails. Check any from last year that you plan to reuse.

9. Test all the light sets BEFORE you hang them! It is so much easier to replace bulbs on the ground.

10. Make sure you have all the right tools for the installation including ladders, hammers, a mate to help and hold the ladder.

11. Hang the lights.

12. Test the lights

13. Have a drink and start again for next year!

Well, I hope that gives you enough information to get started about your Christmas lighting, if you need any more ideas please check out Outdoor Christmas Lights Guide