The Best Holiday Lights

Say Good-Bye to Tangled Lights

Think how much merrier holiday decorating could be with this tangle-defying contraption. The handy reel comes with 50 feet of lights (two 200-bulb strands, enough for an eight-foot tree). When it’s time to put things away, store the wheel in a lawn bag to protect the bulbs from dust. Come next season, check to make sure there are no frayed cords, cracked sockets, or loose wires, all of which can be dangerous.
 To buy: $67.50 for a case of 3 light sets with reels, homedepot.com.

 

How Many Strings Do I Need?

Not all strands have the same bulb count, so think in terms of number of lights rather than number of strings. An eight-foot tree needs 125 to 150 large bulbs or 400 small ones (500, if you like your lights dense). Some decorative strands have only 10 bulbs, so consider them add-ons to your base count. Cluster spare twinkle lights in a nonworking fireplace, on a shiny wood floor, or around the bottom of a houseplant.