Test and Fix Christmas lights with Lightkeeper Pro

With the addition of numerous strands of lights to my display, I inevitably had burn outs or dead strands. My old method of testing each light got really old as I hung from the gutters of my house. On a lark I bought the Light Keeper Pro simply hoping that it would work a little. Boy was I surprised.

The first strand I worked on was half dead. I simply connected the Lightkeeper to a bulb, clicked the trigger and they were working. Not all strands were as easy, but I went through the Lightkeeper steps and almost always the issue was fixed. It is my pick to click.

For an extremely thorough tutoriaal on how to use the Lightkeeper Pro, visit Land O Lights.

Mr. Christmas The Lights and Sounds of Christmas

The Lights and Sounds of Christmas Discovery

When I first became interested in automating Christmas lights, I saw that using more involved setups may be over my head. I researched The Lights and Sounds of Christmas and discovered that Mr. Christmas had my best interests at heart. The lights and sounds unit is simple with its plug-and-play nature and it had a variety of songs that would appease my Christmas song tastes. So, I took the plunge.

Mr. Christmas Under the Tree

I received a Mr. Christmas The Lights and Sounds of Christmas for Christmas. At first I thought that there is no way I could really make this thing look anything more than tacky. But, after a little research, I found that with some planning and careful design, I could most likely create a Christmas light display that made my family happy rather than embarrassed. Examples I found:







As it stands my Lights and Sounds unit sits in my crawlspace (aka proving ground) with strings of mini lights attached. I am contemplating the effects I can use on the house...but the onset of warm weather appropriately has me enjoying the great outdoors. I do have to figure out how to hook an FM transmitter to this bad boy so the music isn't just blaring all night. Hmmm...another project.

I found a site that explains how to connect an FM Transmitter to my Mr. Christmas Lights and Sounds. It is a bit over my head and since I do not want to ruin Mr. Christmas, there is this Planet Christmas post which explains a few work arounds to transmit the music from Mr. Christmas.

Christmas Lights Video - Organize Your Lights

I have seen a few homemade Christmas Light spoolers on the web for organizing my Christmas Lights. But, Store'em is the first product I have seen on teh market that you can buy. This Christmas Lights spooling video is a perfect example of a product that can save you time and aggravation wen organizing your lights.

Discount Christmas Lights at Home Depot

As I was struggling with my old mini lights...fixing old strands, replacing bad bulbs, and checking frayed wires with my trusty Light Keeper Pro, I secretely wished I could recycle those lights and get a discount on favored LED lights. That's when I read about the Home Depot discount light program. When you turn in an old set of your mini lights to Home Depot, you'll receive a coupon good for $3 off a set of LED lights. That is a hard deal to pass up. I will try this deal tomorrow and let you know the outcome. Were you able to take advantage of the LED light discount?

A Bounty of Christmas Light Controllers

Google Shopping is chocked full of Christmas Light controllers. I was just looking for a few new light controllers for the 2009 show. Checkout Google Shopping's Christmas Light Controller results

New House, New Plan for Mr. Christmas Lights and Sounds of Christmas

I recently moved to a house in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. All of my Christmas lights, wreaths, and displays have been stored in the roomy attic above the garage. But, with a new house comes the challenge of planning out a new show with my Mr. Christmas Lights and Sounds of Christmas.

I brought the Mr. Christmas down from the attic and was toying around with a stash of LED lights I bought at American Sale last year. And it got the creative juices flowing. I have a plan for a nice effect that spans from the roof to my front-yard tree. I also may buy a second Lights and Sounds of Christmas to do a smaller show in my backyard. The yard butts up to a park and can be seen by a good many neighbors. I think a nice intro to my light fascination will be a show that takes advantage of my 2 story pine tree. Oh how the juices are flowing now!

Lowes Christmas Lights 2009

I was at my local Lowes over the weekend and they already had their Christmas aisles up and running. I didn't get to peruse too extensively as I was in a hurry. But they seem to have beaten other bog box stores to the punch this year. Gotta love stores trying to elicit Christmas-like buying before Halloween!

Where, Oh Where Can I Buy LED Tree Lights?

This article pinpoints a few places to buy LED Christmas lights online. Let's face it, LEDs will be pricier than standard lights, but they payoff in savings as well as ease (you can string many more LED light strings together) is more than worth it. Check out the Buy LED Christmas Lights Online article.

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, free Christmas Twitter backgrounds

• Do you twitter?
• Do you twitter about Christmas topics?
• Or do you just want a free twitter Christmas background for the upcoming Christmas season?

Well, dear reader, there is such a thing as a free twitter background. I have found a few backgrounds dedicated to Christmas. Take a gander at:

• Christmas Ornaments Free Twitter Background
• Christmas Lights Free Twitter Background
• Scads of Christmas Twitter Backgrounds

Virtual Christmas Stocking

Dog days of August have me longing for Christmas lights and my Mr. Christmas. Luckily, I ran across this site The Christmas Stocking. A podcast of Christmas memories accompanied by a Christmas carol or two.

QVC's Christmas in July

As I nursed insomnia, I saw the beginning of QVC's Christmas in July. They started with Bethlehem Lights Solutions LED wreath, garland, and tree. That instantly got me in the Christmas mood. I think the trees will be PERFECT on my new porch.

Santa Claus is Comin' to...Santa Claus Indiana?

Yes, there is indeed a Santa Claus, Indiana. Try being in a bad mood in that city. I have driven through it a few times. Just heard some news...

"SANTA CLAUS, IN — A new attraction in Santa Claus, Indiana is under construction and is scheduled for an August opening. The Santa Claus Christmas Store will be located in the Kringle Place Shopping Center. Owned and operated by Philip Koch and his Santa Claus based company HO HO HOldings, LLC, the store features over 6,500 sq. ft. of retail space including gifts, indoor and outdoor Christmas lights, wreaths, tree trimmings, nativities, Christmas yard art, home décor and collectibles."

Very interesting. If you happen by the store, please comment and let me know what it's like!

Garage Christmas Signs?

A few years ago I saw a Christmas scene that I could display on my garage door. If I remember correctly, the Christmas scene was two-car garage length and just as tall. Anyone know where I can find one? Would go well with my automated light show.

No, Austin Powers, not sharks with laser beams...Mr. Christmas with lasers

Mr. Christmas has done it again. I became addicted to the products with the the Lights and Sounds of Christmas and they continue to impress. While I haven't seen a demo of this yet (if you know of one, please comment) I did come across the Mr. Christmas Musical Laser Light Show. The laser light show boasts of a projector which displays Christmas laser shows on your home accompanied by varying Christmas carols and Christmas classics. Once I find a demo, I will post.

It's Hot as Hell...Time for Christmas in July

QVC's annual Christmas in July sale will begin July 25th, 2009. This marks the midway point to Christmas and usually is a sign I need to start contemplating my setup for Christmas. Checkout the QVC Christmas in July schedule.

Stand up straight

I do it every year for my few trees...I wrestle to get my Christmas tree in the tree stand, then spend an endless amount of time straightening the tree, leveling it out, just to get it looking halfway decent. Throw in a bent Christmas tree trunk and you have a recipe for a nightmare.

Once the tree is up, then I find myself crawling past Christmas gifts all season trying to water the tree and it seems to need gallons of water per day. I luckily found a leveling Christmas tree stand and an automated Christmas tree watering system that does it all for me. It's called the Santa's Solution Extreme Christmas Tree Stand with Auto Stop Watering System. Once the tree is in, I just use the handy tube and funnel to water the tree without having to climb underneath and drop Christmas tree needles. Check it out, very useful.

Do you have any tricks or tips for watering your Christmas tree or getting it to stand up straight? Leave a comment.

Chasing Away the Blues as I Wait for Christmas

I find myself wandering the internet trying to satisfy my Christmas light addiction. Often times I come across a news automated light display, a deal on lights, or just a DIY article that gives me ideas for next year's show. While looking for chasing light controllers, I arrived at an old friend: NextTag. It's a great resource for finding Christmas light deals. So I popped in a query for light controllers and, voila, NextTag delivered the goods. Chasing lights help me chase the blues away while I prepare for Christmas.

The Force is Strong on Your Tree

I am not much of a Star Wars geek, but these Star Wars Christmas decorations and ornaments were too good not to mention. If you want Yoda as your Christmas tree topper, now is your chance. The site also includes Star Wars lights.

Yellow Snow Show

Funny little light show based on the spoof of Let it Snow--Yellow Snow. Hey, every dog needs a place to pee.

Make Your Own Christmas Light Controller

I am not very handy with electricity. Which is why I rely on Christmas light controllers for all of my synchronized displays. But, for those of you with electricity skills, may I recommend the how-to article I found at eHow.com - How to Make a Christmas Light Controller or this article and video - DIY - How to Make Christmas Light controller in 5 minutes!