Mariani Landscape Offers Holiday Decorating Tips to Make Your Yard Shine This Season

As the holidays approach and relatives from near and far will be gathering together, holiday decorating is always top of mind. Lake Bluff-based Mariani Landscape has been creating winter wonderlands for their client's homes for more than 60 years. To get "in the spirit" this holiday season, the pro's from Mariani have compiled outdoor decorating ideas and landscaping tips that will spread cheer.

"As families get ready for Holiday celebrations and traditions, it's the perfect time to get your kids involved in the fun, showing off their creativity and flair getting your outdoors holiday-ready," said Bill Hailer, Client Representative for Mariani Landscape and a holiday light expert for the company. "Holidays are also a great time to remind our customers about how to practice holiday lighting safety."

Holiday Decorating Tips

1. Lighting is always essential when it comes to outdoor decorations. We recommend using LEDs over incandescent lighting alternatives whenever possible. LEDs are cost effective, brighter and last longer. They also use up to 75% less energy than incandescent lights.

2. There are times when the incandescent lights are appropriate, especially on shrubbery. Not only do they look great, but also warm up and help melt snow. Also, be sure to avoid using LEDs and incandescent lights on the same plant.

3. Buy new lights every year. This helps avoid problems like knots and burnt-out bulbs. Avoid buying retail; if you need a lot of lights, it is always better to go to a wholesaler where you buy strands of lights in bulk.

4. We suggest Christmas lights on anything from garlands to wreaths. They add the perfect amount of brightness.

5. Icicle lights mimic the look of falling snow and are often used along the edge of roofs. We also love using them for illuminating children's playhouses and pool houses.

6. For an easy way to create a focal point and draw your eye to the front door, the door frame can be accented using strings of Christmas lights or garland lights. Sometimes the simpler, the better.

7. Be mindful of existing landscape lighting so if you have spotlights, we suggest removing the bulbs or turning them off. You don't want the holiday lights to compete with existing lighting.

8. When purchasing light strands, the rule of thumb is usually 100 lights for every 1.5 feet of tree height.

9. Lighting is essential, but there are other ways to decorate outdoors that will really tie your holiday landscape design together. The yard should look balanced from the front door to the backyard.

10. Don't throw away leftover evergreen cuttings as they make beautiful decorations both outdoors and indoors.

Holiday Lighting Safety Tips

1. Prior to installation, make sure you have all the appropriate gear including an outdoor timer, cords, twine, extension cords, electric tape, pruners, sod staples, safety helmets for working in high places and ladder.

2. Check your power supply to make sure it's operating properly.

3. Rule of thumb, 15 amps works for 150 strands of LED or 22 strands of incandescent lights.

4. Use two three-way power cords to disperse power for lighting large trees.

5. Timers are key as they control when lights are on and off.

6. Fasten cords securely using sod staples to avoid tripping and blowing in the wind.