a photo of the outside of a house with holiday lights at night.
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The Ultimate Tech-Driven Holiday Lighting Guide: Smart Home Solutions for Festive Decor

Here are the proper ways to hang smart holiday lights on and in your smart home this holiday season.

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The holidays are quickly approaching, and many families embrace the timeless tradition of putting up incandescent lights to celebrate the festive season. However, hanging holiday lights can be challenging, especially when you must abide by HOA and industry safety guidelines. The good news is that modern technology has made it simpler to hang festive tree lights for the holidays. In this guide, we'll provide you with the best tips to get started.

Start Out Small

If you're a beginner to holiday lights, you may want to start small and experiment with easy-to-hang lights first. You can't go wrong with adding a pre-lit Christmas tree to your home with thousands of LED lights to spread the festive cheer.

a screenshot of holiday decorations, like Christmas trees and lights at The Home DepotHoliday Tree available at The Home Depot is going viral from The Home DepotThe Home Depot


One tree from Home Depot is going viral on social media. It has over 3,400 color-changing mini lights controlled by a wireless remote to sparkle and shine in the dark winter evenings. Plus, the continuous-on technology helps guarantee a bright, merry Christmas.


a video on Holiday Decorations at The Home DepotCheck out this video on a Christmas Tree from The Home Depot's Home Decorators CollectionThe Home Depot

Buy on The Home Depot

On the other hand, outdoor lighting requires more attention to detail and safety coordination. Instead of going straight to hanging lights on your roof, start hanging lights on your small trees and bushes first.

Once you master the skill and technique of stringing lights, you can move on to hanging holiday lights in places out of reach. The most beginner-friendly option is hanging automatic lights.

Consider having a professional install permanent Christmas lights that you can control with your smartphone. That way, you can turn them on or off with a simple tap and reuse them yearly.


Prioritize Safety Over Aesthetics

Unlike indoor lights, outdoor lights aren't protected from the outdoor elements. While these lights are designed to withstand snow, rain, and ice, you should still be careful when hanging them up.

Using outdoor holiday lights with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label would be best to avoid an electrical fire.

a link to. UL site to see UL Standards Labels ListUL Standards Labels ListUL Standards


In other words, don't put your pre-lit artificial Christmas tree and Frosty The Snowman outside if they're not properly rated for outdoor use.

Whether hanging lights on a nearby tree or a two-story home, you should follow basic ladder safety standards. When in doubt, hire a professional to prevent injuries this holiday season.

Finally, use smart features like timers and remote controls to avoid leaving lights on overnight or when you're away. These small details prevent potential hazards but also conserve energy.

Celebrate with peace of mind, knowing your smart holiday lighting is as safe as it is spectacular.

Buy Nanoleaf Essentials Matter 20m (65.6 ft.) Smart Holiday String Lights

Try Different Types of Outdoor Holiday Lights

Not all outdoor lights are the same. You can find outdoor lighting products for every use and hanging application. Depending on where you shop, you can purchase blinking rope lights or net lights for bushes and trees.

a screenshot of holiday net lights available on bushes outside a home lit up.Set of 100 LED Warm White LED Net Lights available on AmazonAmazon


You can also try light projectors if you want something more modern. These outdoor projector lights require minimal setup but still bring the magic with a fun light display. Choose from white, blue, red, or green lights to add pizazz to your neighborhood.


a screenshot of Snowfall Projector Waterproof Outdoor Christmas Decorations Lighting  being sold on AmazonSnowfall Projector Waterproof Outdoor Christmas Decorations Lighting Amazon


If you want to choose the best outdoor lighting for your home, answer a few simple questions like:

  • What do I want my color scheme or outdoor home design to look like?
  • Do you want traditional lights, smart lights, or LED lights?
  • How do you want to control your lights? App? Voice? Hub? Smart Outdoor plug? Timer?
  • How much square footage do I want to cover?
  • What's my budget?

Put no limits on your creativity. As for outdoor illuminations, you can apply them-safely-even on the RV rented to travel during the winter holidays, for example.

This way, you can create a festive atmosphere wherever you are, combining the holiday spirit with the adventure of traveling on the road.


Integrate Smart Home Technology with Your Holiday Lights

Embrace the magic of the holidays with smart technology. Transform your holiday lights with festive decorations by integrating smart home hubs like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit.

Imagine adjusting your home's holiday ambiance with a voice command or a tap on your smartphone. You can even set up routines for your lights to automatically turn on at dusk and off at bedtime, creating a mesmerizing display without lifting a finger every night.

a screenshot of amazon page selling Govee Outdoor LED Strip Lights Govee Outdoor LED Strip Lights Amazon


Integrate your lights with other smart devices for a synchronized holiday spectacle. Picture your lights dimming as your smart speaker plays holiday tunes — all orchestrated seamlessly for a delightful experience. All you


Invest in Efficiency and Cost Savings with LED Smart Lights

The holidays are already an expensive time of the year. So, why not brighten your holidays while saving money?

LED smart lights paired with smart plugs are your ticket to a dazzling yet energy-efficient holiday season. Although they may cost more upfront, these luminous marvels are an excellent investment in your festive cheer.

screenshot of Amazon page selling Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights on a home.Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights, 100 feet.Amazon


Smart LED bulbs consume far less energy than traditional bulbs, leading to noticeable savings on your electricity bills. Plus, their long lifespan means you won't need to replace them yearly, making them a sustainable choice for many holiday seasons.

Let's face it. Nobody enjoys finding the single bulb that burns out among the strands of light. So, embrace LED smart lights for a brighter, greener, and more joyous holiday celebration.

Also, when choosing the best lights for decorating, consider those with a faster shipping time.

Companies that rely on fast and reliable courier services will also make it easier to assist with any return if some LEDs or bulbs fail to work properly.


Wrapping up

Hanging outdoor lights is a great way to celebrate the holidays with your family. It's also an activity that anyone can do with the right equipment, experience, and lighting products.

If you want to ensure your tech-driven holiday lighting display goes as planned, following the tips in this guide is a significant first step.

Here's to a bright holiday season!

And if you need help finding smart outdoor lights that are compatible with your existing smart lights, use The GearBrain, our smart home compatibility find engine. It will help you find, buy, and connect any smart device, including smart lights and lighting products that work with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.

How to Find Products in The GearBrain, Our Compatibility Find Engine for Smart DevicesGearBrain helps simplify the Internet of Things or new connected devices for consumers. The GearBrain is the first and only ...


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GE CYNC Dynamic Effects Smart LED Light Strip, Color Changing Outdoor Waterproof Christmas Lights and Holiday Decor, Works with Alexa and Google Home, 32 Foot Power Supply Included


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