If you’re looking for a safe way to celebrate the holidays this year, consider bringing the magic of light shows right to your own front door. With some planning, the right equipment, and a dose of holiday magic, you can turn your home into a personal light show that your family (and your neighbors) will no doubt enjoy.
Keep reading to find out what steps you should take to create a custom at-home light show this holiday season.
1. Gather the Equipment
If you plan far enough ahead, you can get lights for 20–30% off right after the holidays. Make sure you have the following before you begin:
- String lights
- Lighting control system
- Software system
- Sound system
For lights, consider investing in LED versus incandescent string lights. The LEDs will last many times longer than incandescents, use up to 90% less energy, and produce more vivid colors.
2. Select a Lighting Control System
This is the hardware that interprets signals from your computer and controls the lighting channels. The easiest solution is a fully-built light show system, obtainable from many online vendors. For those who enjoy the DIY route, consider building your own lighting control system. You can either procure the parts individually or purchase a DIY kit. Note: this method is much more labor-intensive and requires technical know-how.
3. Choose Your Light Show Software
The light show software breaks down the music and tells your lights how to sync with the beat of the song. There are different kinds of software depending on how much you’re willing to pay and your level of technical expertise. A few options include:
- Vixen – A free and open-source solution for holiday light shows
- xLights – Considered among the best and most updated of all light show programs
- Light-O-Rama – A paid option that involves a learning curve
4. Design Your Light Display
Now that you’ve got your lights and the equipment to make them sparkle, you’ll need to decide how you will display them. Popular options include lighted bushes, icicle lights, miniature trees, wireframe displays, and the traditional home border lights. Get creative with it!
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5. Broadcast Your Music
No Christmas light show is complete without an accompanying soundtrack. If your neighbors are on board, you can choose from a variety of outdoor speakers. For a more noise-friendly solution, purchase an FM broadcaster and have a sign that tells passers-by which radio station they should tune to in order to hear your soundtrack.
Now that you’ve got everything assembled, be sure to spread the word about your light show. Post in neighborhood groups, print signs, and tell your family and friends.
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