Whether you’re looking to have yourself a small little holiday display or shamelessly trying to keep up with the Griswolds, there’s no doubt a well-planned light display is a mainstay of the season. Holiday lights represent all that is jolly and bright. 

Our ancestors, and some places in Europe use candles to light up Christmas trees–yikes! As you can imagine, fires started easily and often, with homeowners having buckets of water on hand to help battle a sudden blaze.

The beginning of electricity saved many a tree and fewer and fewer Christmases went up in smoke. We have Edward H. Johnson to thank for that. In 1882, Johnson—an associate of Thomas Edison—dressed up the first known electrically-illuminated Christmas tree with 80 custom made walnut-sized incandescent bulbs in red, white and blue. His look caught on and by 1900, businesses were dressing their window displays with the colours of the holiday. Lights became affordable and commercially available    for households in the 1930’s.

To help you on your merry way, here are some tips and tricks for planning the perfect display, ways to save money on your energy bill and holiday light safety 101. 

Tips And Trends In Holiday Light Displays

Fail to plan, plan to fail. One of the most important things to remember when thinking about a holiday light display of epic or average proportions is creating a master plan. Make sure to have a good idea of the look you want to achieve before you start decorating to avoid disappointment. This is where that high school math may come in handy; measure twice, cut once. Take some time to calculate how many light strings you’ll need and what accessories you need to pull it off–this will save you multiple trips to the stores during high season. Don’t forget key accessories like light clips, extension cords and timers. 

Smaller And Brighter Is Key

Energy efficient LED lights are gaining popularity as consumers look for bulbs and cords that nestle seamlessly into structures, trees and holiday wreaths or lawn ornaments.  You can also find battery-operated options, perfect for lawn displays or hard-to-reach corners. 

If possible use LED lights over incandescent. The disadvantage with incandescents is you end up paying more in electricity costs. Incandescents are inefficient since 90% of the energy goes toward heat and only 10% toward the actual light. Using about 1/10 the wattage of incandescents and lasting up to 10-times longer, a display of LED lights will help you save on your energy bill for the season and last years with proper care and storage. 

Be Smart About It 

There has been a shift towards smart home and customized light shows. People want a custom light show and they want to show it off in a big way. Make use of your current infrastructure by integrating your display with your smart home technology.

Impress the neighbours by setting the flicker pace to a classic holiday tune, or changing the colour scheme on demand. You can have the flexibility to match your lights to your house design and colour scheme while being able to use lights for multiple occasions. 

Choosing Your Holiday Light Style

The great thing about creating your own holiday light extravaganza is the ability to entirely switch it up the following year with little cost. That being said, it’s important to know your options before heading into your local hardware store and becoming mesmerized by all the pretty lights—just like you should never go to the grocery store on an empty stomach. Here are a few options to consider:

• Turn your outdoor holiday display into a winter wonderland with icicle or snowflake-shaped lights. 
• LED projection spotlights require no installation, are a timesaving alternative to traditional string lights and are available in a wide variety of colours and patterns. For a small price, you can fill your entire house with colour-changing starfields or amazing animations and effects. Or use rope lights which are typically much brighter than regular lights and create a very futuristic look, perfect for outlining doorways, windows, trees and walkways.
• If you’re after a timeless look, think about investing in a variety of string lights in hues of white and incorporating subtle pops of colour like blue, green or red. You can find a variety of options including strings with large bulbs, mini lights or nets. 
• If you’re looking to get the kids excited about decorating for the holidays, consider a lawn inflatable or two. 

Tip: Not all white string lights are created equal. There are noticeable variances in the temperature of the glow, some are cooler and give off a blue-ish tint while others may be a warmer yellow. 

Tips For Installing Holiday Lights 

Now that you’ve created your master plan, it’s time to deck the halls. There are a few things to remember when installing holiday lights in the name of safety and sanity. First and foremost, check your lights. Make sure there are no exposed wires or broken sockets and test each string to ensure the lights are all working and replace any bulbs that have burned out. 

Check your surroundings, make sure you know where your kids and pets are at all times. You’ll likely be scaling a ladder and tools may fall in the process. 

If you’re connecting strings of lights together, avoid connecting more than five or six strands end to end and overloading the circuit. Always avoid pulling the strands too tight in order to reach an outlet. 

Practice good etiquette when deciding on the placement of your holiday lights and decorations. Make sure your decorations are not blocking sightlines for drivers or neighbours to the street. If using music or sound effects consider only turning it on during evening hours, but going silent by 8 or 9 p.m. 

Use the right gear when attaching lights to your home’s exterior. There are a variety of light clips and hooks to be found at your local hardware retailer that are suitable for attaching lights to your eavesthroughing or shingles.

Finally, take your lights down and store them properly once the season is over. The exposure to harsh weather over a period of time can cause damage to the wires, lights and sockets. Plus, your neighbours won’t be too pleased. 

Tip: To store holiday lights, wrap them around a piece of cardboard and then wrap tissue paper around the lights to protect them and keep them dry. 

So start decorating and installing your holiday lights. 

 Have a Happy Holiday Season! 

This holiday season is going to look very different, and celebrating in-person is going to be limited. But don’t let 2020 steal the fun.

This year, bring people together virtually for an online Christmas Eve or Christmas Day gathering. Send out Christmas care boxes to family, with a pair of PJs, hot chocolate mix/tea/coffee and a download familiar holidays tunes, so that even though your far apart, your linked together.

Create special holiday memories — virtually and safely. Holidays are a great reminder that we are all in this together.

Look Like A Star

Instagram stars look great in their videos — by using a ring light to create a soft glow. Want to look your best when Skyping with family and friends? Get yourself a ring light — add it to your mobile device when virtually visiting for lots of fun.

The Taste of Canadian Christmas

The Nanaimo bar, invented in British Columbia in the 1970s, can be found in the freezer sections and make an easy, no-bake addition to your festive dessert platter. If your area has a Christmas treat special to it maybe add it to your care box. Or make sure your virtual guests have a similar treat to enjoy.

A Safe Self-Serve

The beauty of a single-serve beverage machine is that those in your visiting bubble can safely social distance while helping themselves to their favourite hot beverage whether it be coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

Lights, Camera, Celebrate

The holidays are celebrated in many ways. During Hanukkah, candles are lit over eight days, the perfect opportunity to create a virtual candle lighting event for eight nights in a row!

Merry Christmas To All

Get the family “together” and have grandma or grandpa read, “A Night Before Christmas.” Before St. Nick comes to visit.

Santa Via The Post

Sending out your own Christmas care packages? Here are tips for packaging and for getting them to their destination on time.

* Keep the outside of parcels free of string, ribbons or cords.

* Line the inside of the package with a plastic bag to keep dampness like rain and snow away from precious gifts.

* Canada Post’s mail-by guide lists these deadlines: 

Local parcels posted by Dec. 18; 

Regional packages posted by Dec. 15  

National parcels posted by Dec. 9. *THAT'S TODAY!

But I wouldn’t wait that long if you can help it as this year is going to be a busy one for deliveries.

With Halloween only 2 weeks away, our Halloween creativity will have to be cranked up this year. The B.C. Centre of Disease Control has released guidelines on the best way to celebrate Halloween while remaining safe and reducing the risk of exposure or transmission.

Indoor gatherings, big or small, put people at higher risk of getting COVID-19, according to the centre. Therefore, consider watching a Halloween movie or observing other traditions with your family or small social group rather than hosting a party.

Pandemic Party Rules

You should know everyone who attends, no plus ones. Don’t pass around snacks, drinks, smokes, tokes or vapes. Be more outside, than inside. Keep the space well-ventilated with windows open. Because hand sanitizer is flammable, be careful around open flames.

Trick-or-Treating Safely

Respect homes by staying away if the lights are out. Keep to your local neighbourhood this year; avoid trick-or-treating in busy areas or indoors. Trick-or-treat in a small social group of six people or fewer. Leave space between you and other groups. Wash your hands before you go out, when you get home and before eating treats. Keep hand sanitizer with you if eating treats on the go. You don’t need to clean every treat but you should wash your hands after handling treats. Do not touch your face.

Handing Out Treats

Use tongs when handing out candy. Hand out individual treats instead of offering from a shared bowl. Only hand out sealed, pre-packaged treats. Wear a non-medical mask that covers your nose and mouth when handing out treats. If you can, stand outside your door to hand out treats which also ensure kids won’t need to touch the door or doorbell. If you’re not able to remain outside, clean and disinfect doorbells and knobs, and any other high-touch surface often during the Halloween night. If you are decorating, avoid props that can cause coughing, such as smoke machines.

For more information visit bccdc.ca.

With turkey, thankfulness, and togetherness at top of our list, B.C. health experts have some tips on how to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, without giving COVID-19 a chance.

This weekend is Thanksgiving, but in these interesting times it will take sacrifice and adapting, according to B.C.'s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

Get creative, but stick to the basics when it comes to COVID hygiene practices and don't forget to be meticulous about handwashing, covering coughs, and wearing non-medical masks or face coverings where appropriate.

How To Give Thanks Safely

Avoid shared meals or shared utensils. Do not use the same serving spoon. Do not eat from the same plate and hand it across the table.

Sticking to six people is the recommendation from Dr. Henry, even within that bubble of six, people need to adapt during Thanksgiving, upcoming holidays and celebrations.

Keep the celebrations shorter than you usually would. Don’t have the long, prolonged meals because risk of spreading the virus increases with the duration of an exposure within a close space.

Henry reiterated this message by saying, "Make our celebration large in thanks, large in gratitude, but small in size." She said there's no need to leave family and friends out, but make the connection by phone or video call.  "Make sure you have ways to include others that you might normally have in the room with you, remotely," Henry said.

Opt out of a buffet style meal, serve individual plates of food instead and sit apart from those not in your household.

Or spend Thanksgiving outdoors if you can.

Thanksgiving To Go

If you are planning to have a small group over to mark the day, some restaurants are stepping in with their own holiday hack and prepping Thanksgiving to-go packages to order.

If you are preparing the meal yourself make sure there are few people involved in the actual cooking.

Henry said getting creative is the name of the game when it comes to the holiday season. With Thanksgiving just days away, it could be the first look at how future holidays can be spent safely.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Looking for ideas to fill the time in these last few week of summer? Check out these outdoor projects the whole family can enjoy, ranging from easy projects like starting seeds or creating a mini fairy garden, to more involved projects such as turning a stock tank into a raised bed.

These activities are listed in age-group order — starting with simple projects appropriate for little ones, scaling up to those that older kids and teens might enjoy and learn from — but feel free to adapt any of them to suit your needs.

Grow an Herb Box

It’s not too late in the season to start a pot of kitchen herbs, the kids can help pick leaves to add to your favorite dishes. Young children can help with all steps of the process: putting in potting soil, patting down soil, spacing plant starts and watering them in. Easy-to-grow herbs to consider are basil, parsley, thyme, tarragon, sage, oregano and chives. All thrive with full sun and consistent water.

You could consider tucking a few strawberry plants (which generally produce spring, summer and fall crops) around the edges for a treat to discover later.

Start Seeds

There’s nothing quite like the magic of seeing little leaves pop up from the ground as if by magic. Big seeds — like those of squash, melons, peas and beans — are the easiest to handle and can be a good place to start for most beginner gardeners. Now is a good time in most climates to sow seeds for pumpkins to have them ready by Halloween. You can begin to sow crops like snow peas and fava beans now too.

Make Handprint Stepping Stones

Creating stepping stones with family handprints or footprints can be a fun afternoon project, and it’s a way to make your garden feel more personal. It’s easiest to use a handprint stepping stone kit, but you can also make them without a kit using fast-setting concrete and a mold. Have family member whose handprint you want to commemorate imprint their hands or feet and arrange any treasures they wish — like polished stones, marbles or shells — into the concrete. Adults can help sign the names of young children with a stick or wooden pencil. Once the concrete sets, find a spot to display them in your garden.

Pick Your Own

If there’s one garden “chore” that kids of any age can get behind, it’s harvesting — particularly if it’s something sweet like berries, cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas or tree fruit. Picking fruit from your garden or a nearby pick-your-own farm makes for a fun family activity and is a good way to teach kids where their favorite fruit come from.

For slightly older children, you can make harvesting from the garden a daily or weekly responsibility.

Open a Bug Hotel

Have you seen these bug houses before? The concept is as simple as hanging a bird house, except bug hotels resemble collections of items such as hollow bamboo canes and seedpods that aim to mimic habitats like tree cavities that are increasingly rare in urban and suburban environments. The little holes and bug-size crevices are designed to attract insects, such as bees, that look for such spaces to rest for the night.

You can purchase kits for DIY bug hotels or build your own. (Just be sure to include some type of roof or cover to keep the gathered materials dry.) Family members of all ages can help collect materials to use, such as dried seedpods, twigs, small pine cones and bark. Older kids and teens can help with building the frame for the hotel. Everyone can learn or be reminded of the vital role beneficial insects play in ecosystems and the challenges they face.

Create a Fairy Garden

Anyone with a whimsical side may enjoy creating a miniature fairy garden in a pot. Start with an empty vessel of your choosing and fill it with potting soil. Then choose small plants at the nursery, such as succulents, creeping wire vine or mossy-looking ground covers like baby’s tears or woolly thyme. Use indoor plants if you are going to keep the garden inside.

Arrange a scene from your imagination on the surface of smooth potting soil, tucking in plants as they go. Fine gravel can become fairy pathways or streams, rocks can be seats or stepping stones. You can purchase (or make, if you’re feeling extra crafty) accents such as miniature houses, benches, gates, animal or fairy figurines and toadstools. 

Plant Up Recycled and Repurposed Containers

You can reporpose any type of container for plants, and kids can have fun scouting for unused containers around the house or yard to repurpose into planters. Some things to consider: old teapots, cups, small wooden boxes, old hiking boots, helmets, urns and more.

For containers that don’t have drainage holes, either plan on drilling a few at the bottom or keeping plants in their plastic nursery pots set inside the container. Or, if you decide to plant directly in the container without drainage holes, be sure to water plants very lightly, as excess water will have nowhere to go.

Propagate Succulents

Succulents are a great place to start with plant propagation, as most of them root easily from cuttings or offshoots. Kids can help with all steps of the process, from splitting off baby succulent “pups” from rosette-forming types, to laying them out on a gravel bed (or a paper plate) to harden or potting up the new little succulent plants once rooted. Teens can own the whole process and, if they’re hooked, quickly multiply your succulent collection or create one of their own.

Turn a Stock Tank Into a Raised Planter

Turning a galvanized-metal livestock tank into a planter is easier than building a raised bed — and it’s a pretty stylish container too. Choose a stock tank based on how much space you have, what you’d like to grow and how much you’d like to spend.

Stock tanks range from $30 for a small, shallow one that could be used to grow herbs, succulents or strawberries to $300 and up for a large model where you could grow anything from tomatoes to dwarf fruit trees. They will all need drainage holes drilled at the bottom and enough potting soil to fill them to the brim before planting.

Plant a Living Wall

While professional living wall systems are fairly complicated projects best left to professionals, simpler models that use felt planting pockets are no more effort than planting a container and mounting it to the wall. Purchase a premade kit and follow the package’s instructions with regards to mounting and planting.

Living walls made from kits generally look best with plenty of billowing and trailing plants that, once they fill in, can help cover the felt pockets holding the soil. A few to consider for hanging gardens that receive four to six hours of sun: bacopa, trailing fuchsia, sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas), lobelia and nasturtium. For shadier gardens, check out ajuga, variegated ivy, campanula, heuchera and ferns or talk to your local garden store they will tell you which plants grow best in your area.

Remember that living walls, particularly those in sun, dry out very quickly; stay on top of the watering or set up a drip irrigation system.

Have fun, we only have a few weeks more of summer.