Light Up Your Holiday Gatherings, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s

Picture Thanksgiving evening. The table is set, the oven timer is ticking, and the first car pulls into the driveway. In Dayton, the sun sets at about 5:14 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day this year, so many of your guests will arrive after dark. What will they see when they pull up?

From the first family dinner of the season to the last toast of the year, the outside of your home is the first thing guests notice. A few well-placed lines of light can make it feel ready for company.

Think like a guest pulling into the driveway

Before choosing colors, walk to the end of your driveway after dark. Where does your eye land? For most homes, three areas do the most work:

• The roofline. Outlining the main peaks and eaves gives the house a clear shape against the night sky.
• The front entry. Lights around the porch, door or walkway draw the eye toward the door where guests arrive.
• One standout feature. A lit porch, walkway or wreath near the entry adds depth without covering every surface.

You don’t need every element. A clean roofline and a glowing entry can feel more inviting than a busy display.

Plan once for a season of gatherings

Holiday hosting rarely stops at one night. Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. Hanukkah begins at sundown on Friday, Dec. 4, and ends at nightfall on Saturday, Dec. 12. Christmas falls on a Friday this year, Kwanzaa runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, and New Year’s Eve closes out the calendar.

The same display may welcome guests for more than one occasion, so it helps to choose a look that feels right for the celebrations you host, not just a single night.

Match the mood to your celebrations

• Warm white for a classic welcome. Warm white suits the whole season, from a harvest-themed Thanksgiving table to a New Year’s Eve party. Pair it with a wreath or garland at the door.
• Full color for family fun. Multicolor lights on the roofline or porch bring a playful, nostalgic feel when kids and grandkids visit.
• Blue and white accents. Some families who celebrate Hanukkah add blue and white decorations. Outdoor string lights are decoration only. For ritual lighting, families can follow their own tradition or a trusted religious authority.

Ask us which colors are available for your plan. If you’d like to change colors from one celebration to the next, some app-controlled permanent lighting systems can switch between color settings. Our guide to holiday or permanent outdoor lighting compares the two approaches.

Small touches that make guests feel welcome

• Keep it balanced. Lights on both sides of the entry, or along a full roofline, usually look more finished than one lit corner.
• Set a schedule. A timer that turns lights on at dusk means the house is already glowing when the first guest arrives, even if you’re busy in the kitchen. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends turning holiday lights off when you go to bed or leave the house.
• Think about the view from inside. A lit porch or walkway visible from the front window can add sparkle for guests at the table.
• Use outdoor-rated lights. If you add any decorations yourself, the CPSC advises using lights certified for outdoor use and plugging them into a GFCI-protected outlet.

Let us handle the ladders

Hosting is enough work. When we install your display, we handle the ladders, so you can focus on the menu, the guest list and the people coming through the door.

We’ll talk through your home’s architecture and the look you want, and we’ll work with you and your budget to design a plan that fits your family. We use energy-efficient LED lights. Your quote should spell out what’s included, such as service during the season, takedown and storage.

Also helpful: what shapes your holiday lighting price.

Request a free quote

Tell us about the gatherings you’re planning and the look you have in mind. We’ll help you plan lighting that welcomes your guests.

Request a free quote