Christmas in July? No - or yes, if that is what you prefer! But, in order to make sure your lights can lead Santa's sleigh, it is never too early to begin planning.

1. Make a Plan.

It's easier said than done, right? Before you know it, it's the week before the holidays and you're quickly trying to untangle lights and locate decorations in storage or buy new lights. Plan ahead so this does not happen to you. Make a timeline or set a deadline so you are not scrambling at the last minute. Holiday lighting can be enjoyed all season long this way.

Additionally, you want to make sure that you have enough lights to decorate your home. Doing some calculations can make hanging lights outside a lot easier. The last thing you want is to be stuck atop a ladder in 20-degree weather without an additional extension cord or being short by 50 feet of lights.

2. Do Some Research.

There are so many different kinds of lights that can be used to decorate your home for the holidays. String lights are the most used but there are so many different variations of string lights. They can be multi-colored, all-white, use larger bulbs or smaller bulbs, and can also be in numerous color temperatures. There are also other types of lights that can be used including icicles and twinkling stars or other kinds of colored shapes.

There are also specific applications for certain kinds of lights that will work best. Christmas trees normally use string lights. But, for decorating hedges in the front of your home, net lighting would work great. Rope lights are an easy install for columns and rails. Doing some research on the application will help to choose the best lighting for it.

3. Make the Switch to LED.

Incandescent bulbs and lights are not very energy efficient and hot to the touch. They also burn out quickly making them require more maintenance. LED lights use less energy and are more cost-effective. They also last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs and are cool to the touch. That means no more worrying about setting the Christmas tree on fire or making areas of your home a fire hazard.

4. Get Creative with Your Holiday Lights.

If you love the colors pink, yellow, and orange, decorate your home with those colors! Holiday lighting is ultimately what you want it to be! No one is holding a rule book saying that the official holiday colors are red and green.

Getting creative also means experimenting with different kinds of lights. Flood lighting can be used to shine a spotlight on inflatables in the front yard. Undercabinet lighting can be used to highlight figurines or small holiday decor in a bookcase or glass cabinet.