Insider's Guide to Christmas Garlands

Creating Long Christmas Garland

Creating long strands of garland by connecting more than 3 garlands together can create an electrical hazard. Most lighted garlands have "end-to-end" miniature lights. End-to-end lights have a male electrical socket on one end and a female electrical socket on the other end. This allows the lights and thus the garlands to connect to create a long garland.

Underwriters Laboratory rates the number of end-to-end lights which can be connected. The majority of mini-lights can have three strings of lights connected together. Therefore, Christmas garlands with mini-light sets have a maximum length of three garlands connected together. The UL guideline is designed to protect you, the consumer. You should not go above the recommended rating.

Garland Thickness (diameter)

The majority of garlands are listed as 9 foot garland with no reference to the diameter. Typically, this means the garland is 6 to 8 inches in diameter. As the diameter increases to 10 to 20 inches, the garlands move into a more premium price structure. These garlands would typically be listed as 9' X 10" Christmas Garland. A thinner garland is more useful for single door structures and lining smaller entry ways. The thicker garlands tend to be used on longer banisters or outside on the tops of buildings. As a general guideline, the farther the garland is away from view, the larger the diameter required.

When measuring the garland diameter, it is the measurement from the tip to tip while outstretched. The styling may cause a smaller finished diameter.

Attaching Garlands to your Home

The garland grabber is a very popular item. There are two types of garland grabber. The first is used to mount garlands on flat surfaces such as a mantel. The second type is used to mount the garlands on banisters or railings. These are useful because you can hang the garland to the surface without damage and has a space for bows. If you wish to suspend the Christmas garland, hide the mounting apparatus, use high strength fishing line so it appears the garland is floating.

Outdoor Christmas Garlands

For lighted outdoor garlands, it is important to make sure the lights on the garland are rated for outdoor use. Direct sun light is something to consider when purchasing garlands. Particularly, if you are purchasing white garlands, you should put the garlands out of direct sun light. A 3-4 hour exposure is probably not harmful but 12-16 hours a day may cause fading or discoloration.

If you are connecting multiple garlands together, please wrap the connected male and female electrical sockets with electrical tape. Stated another way, you should seal the connection to prevent water from entering. You should also put electrical tape over the last female electrical socket to keep water out. It is not the water to be worried about; it is the water turning to ice while in the socket which can damage the socket.

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