It’s that time of the year when twinkling lights deck the halls of homes and businesses. The festive glow evokes feelings of warmth and joy — but when is the right time to take down your Christmas lights? People have different answers. Some take lights down as soon as possible after Christmas Day, while others leave them up all year. No “right” answer exists, but certain factors can influence holiday light duration.

Let’s shed some light on Christmas lights, including when to put them up and when to take them down. Learn etiquette, safety tips and storage ideas to get the most out of your lights this holiday season.

Christmas Light Timeline

Holiday lights date back to the 17th century when German households decorated trees with candles. Christmas lights have come a long way since, but the debate of when to put them up and take them down continues. Here’s some guidance:

When to Put up Christmas Lights

Traditionally, decorations went up the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Today, holiday excitement starts earlier, with lights often going up in November.

According to a survey, 70% of Americans planned to hang lights before December. Over 50% have them up before Thanksgiving, but you might follow the norm of turning on the festive glow the first weekend of December. The most popular date for hanging lights is December 1.

Ultimately, when you start decorating for Christmas comes down to personal preference.

When to Take Down Christmas Lights

If you follow tradition, the best time to remove Christmas lights is January 6. This date may seem random, but it has a rich history. The most popular times to take down lights are:

• Three Kings Day: The Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, is the last of the twelve days of Christmas. It falls on January 6. In the Christian faith, the three wise men first saw baby Jesus on this day. It signifies the end of festive celebrations, making it a popular day to take down lights.
• New Year’s Day: Some prefer to pack their lights up on January 1. In fact, 14% of Americans take decorations down on New Year’s Day.
• Before February 1: Few people wait till February to remove their lights. More than 40% take them down in the first week of January.

It might be tempting to let those little lights shine all year long. However, the National Fire Protection Association states that holiday lighting must come down within 90 days to prevent fire hazards.  

Christmas Light Etiquette

Holiday lights do more than beautify the neighborhood — they can also make us feel happier. Christmas light etiquette can ensure the shared glow brings the community together:

Installation and Removal Timing

Your twinkling lights bring joy, but leaving them up too long can annoy the community. To be mindful of others, consider putting them up after Thanksgiving and removing them by January 6.

Neighbor Consideration

It’s important to consider how your lovingly crafted Christmas lights affect your neighbors. Bright lights shining into bedrooms or noisy music may disturb rather than delight. Place lights in a way that reduces the impact on surrounding homes. If your display has music or sound effects, be sure to switch it off at a reasonable time.

Environmental Concerns

Leaving holiday lights on at all hours can harm your neighbors’ sleep and the environment. Turn your lights off at night. It’s better for your relationship with your neighbors, and you save electricity. It’s a win-win!

Energy-efficient LED lights use less electricity and reduce environmental impact. Efficient timing can also increase the longevity of your lights.

Holiday Light Safety

Christmas lights can pose safety risks, like fire, electrical and tripping hazards. Follow this advice for a merry and safe Christmas:

• Inspect and test: Check for missing or broken bulbs, frayed wiring, or cracked sockets. Test the lights before use to ensure they work.
• Choose safety-tested lights: Buy lights with an Underwriters Laboratories safety certification. This logo proves the lights meet certain standards.
• Follow the instructions: Use exterior lights outdoors and indoor lights inside. Outdoor lights have insulation to withstand the elements, while indoor lights have none.
• Use outdoor cords: Choose an outdoor use-rated extension cord when hanging exterior lights.
• Prevent hazards: Raise light strands and cords off the ground to avoid tripping risks.
• Avoid overloading: Masses of Christmas lights may look impressive but can cause overloading. The Electrical Safety Foundation suggests a maximum of three strings of lights together. 
• Connect a safety outlet: A ground fault circuit interrupting outlet cuts power in case of a ground fault. This device guards against shock and stops your circuit breaker overloading.

For extra safety, hire a professional holiday light service. They create beautiful displays while meeting safety standards for installation and removal.

After-Holiday Storage Tips

Proper storage increases your lights’ life span and stops them from becoming tangled.

If you prefer to store your lights, try these handy storage ideas:

Original Box

Getting Christmas lights back into the box can be tricky. Luckily, the outside of the box works too:

1. Tape one end of the string to the box.
2. Wrap the lights around the long side of the box.
3. Once done, tape the other end.
4. Wrap the lights in bubble wrap or tissue paper to protect them.

DIY Cardboard Wrap

If you threw the original box out, there’s an easy DIY method to keep your lights tangle-free:

1. Cut a piece of cardboard into a rectangle long enough to fit the strings.
2. Make a small snip at each end and secure one end of the lights.
3. Wrap the lights around the length of the cardboard, avoiding overlapping.
4. Secure the other end of the light strings in the snip or tape it.
5. Wrap the lights in your choice of protective material.

Zip Tie Loops

An easy way to store lights is to create loops secured with zip ties. Here’s how:

1. Grasp one end of the light string between your forefinger and thumb.
2. Create loops by wrapping the strands under your elbow back to the gap between your fingers.
3. Keep the loops the same size to avoid tangles.
4. Secure the ends with zip ties, tape, or twine.
5. Place the lights in a box or bag.

If you don’t want to get into the mess of storing your lights properly, professional light installers can save you from getting yourself into a knot by storing your holiday lights during the off-season. This service ensures your lights are intact and ready to shine when needed. Plus, it saves you ample storage space you can use for your other decorations.

Trust Perfect Power Wash With Your Holiday Lights

Do you want a holiday light spectacle without the hassle? The Perfect Power Wash dazzle with our holiday light installation service. Our trained and insured technicians can create your dream display. We handle every step, from putting up your lights to taking them down and maintenance between. If a bulb goes out, we’ll fix it in a flash. 

Choose a customized LED lighting package, including professional installation and after-season storage. Let Perfect Power Wash add a touch of festive magic to your home this season! Call us today at 855-489-6255 for priority scheduling.