Christmas lights

First of all, if you have "box store" LED lights, you need to invest in an LED Lightkeeper. Amazon.com : led keeper (They are available other places, but it was easiest to show what I am talking about using Amazon.) There are several good YouTube videos to teach you how to use one.

If you want to alleviate a lot of the "one goes out, a bunch go out" problems, think about going to commercial Christmas lights. (They have probably saved our marriage several times!) They are available in C7 or C9 size bulbs - C9 are larger. (C9 Cord, 12" Spacing, Green Wire, SPT-1, 500' (christmasdesigners.com) They screw in (like the bulbs when we were kids), are replaceable, can be (quickly and easily) cut to length and are great to work with.

You choose from whatever bulbs you want (we use the same chords for Halloween and Christmas) 35 results for 'c9 led bulbs', filters: -1734463201526551521 | 1000Bulbs.com The bulbs are also available in color changing, too.

Learn to use vampire plugs ( Amazon.com : vampire plugs ). I can cut a string to fit and install a male plug on one end and a female plug on the other end easily in less than one minute. 

You can easily add or replace sockets, too. C9 Sockets Replacements Green (Each) (christmaslightwarehouse.com)

If you decide to buy, the wire comes in either SPT1 or SPT2 sizes. Both are 18 gauge. The insulation on the SPT2 is a little thicker. I have all SPT1 only because that's what we started with. The SPT1 is a little more pliable in cold weather, but the SPT2 is a little more rugged (We have had no problems with durability with the SPT1 and we have been using the same strings for several years.) Whichever you buy, make sure the vampire plugs and replacement sockets are all the same size! They are not interchangeable.

We also use SPT1 wire (available at our local Home Depot) to custom make extension cords. ( Southwire 100 ft. 18/2 White Stranded CU SPT-1 Lamp Wire 49909503 - The Home Depot ) All of the wire is available in several different colors - white, green, brown and black (maybe others too) both in bulk wire and spools with sockets.

I purposely posted links from several different vendors. I have no allegiance or preference to any of these companies. I find the quality all the same, so I shop for whoever has the best price or match to what I want.

If I can be any help to anyone, give me a shout!

I built the Santa's sleigh and Ferris Wheel (that turns with the lights on). My wife traced, cut out and painted all the plywood painted decorations.

The tree with the blue lights is approximately 40' tall. It has 1200 lights on it. It seems like just a few years ago that we were using a stepladder to put the lights on.