Deck the Halls
Advent Wreaths
Christmas Tree
Outdoor Lighting

Installing Your Lights

Here are a few lighting tips from the NCC's landscape architects responsible for the design of the spectacular Christmas lights display in Canada's Capital Region. Uschi and Benni's house

• When you decorate a tree or shrub, try to highlight its natural grace and beauty. Work with the natural shape of growth and avoid straight lines and regular patterns when decorating.



• Use a ladder, stepladder or extension pole appropriate to the size of the trees you intend to decorate. Do not climb the branches, and be sure to have someone hold the ladder for you.



• Divide the tree or shrub into manageable parts. Begin at the top and work randomly downward, moving from the inside to the outside of the tree and back again, following the natural sweep of the branches.



• Connect the strings to extension cords (ensure they are CSA approved and marked for the appropriate wattage), tape together and plug into the selected outdoor circuit.



• A timer can help you avoid competing for energy at the peak hours of demand, and can also prevent dangerous overheating.



• Finally, respect the tree you are decorating as a living thing and remember that frozen branches break easily when handled roughly.

The outdoor lighting is best put up during the last warm days of fall.

Keep the lights on between early December and January 6th. After that it is time to let go and store everything away for the next season.

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