Matthew Freeman

Timers are an essential way to maintain your sanity when running any successful Christmas light display. I know, because growing up, I was the one tasked with manually plugging in each strand of my dad’s beloved, elaborate tangle of cords and cables every night. I was a kid, and I loved my dad’s truly stunning light displays, but it was...[...]

It’s October 25 and my neighbor’s Christmas lights are up. Personally, I’m not throwing any shade, but some would say this is too early. Some, even, would get mad about it. Certainly, to those passionate about the subject, Oct. 25 is preferable to the leaving your lights out year-round—a practice not recommended by Christmas Designers if for no other reason...[...]

Nothing makes an otherwise beautiful Christmas light display look sloppy like stray cords. You’ve seen them before: the extension cord hanging down in an ugly loop from the edge of the roofline, the gnarled cable poking out from beyond the bushes, or the thick line of lights snaking across the lawn. In fact, one of the biggest differences between a...[...]

Long before Christmas lights hit the scene and became a staple of the holiday season, greenery was the name of the decorative game. Originating way back in the 16th century among northern and eastern Europeans pruning their Christmas trees to fit indoors, excess evergreen limbs and sprigs have become nearly as iconic a symbol of yuletide as trees themselves. It’s...[...]

The biggest, brightest Christmas light displays tend to depend upon two mainstay bulbs that have stood the test of time: C7 holiday lights and C9 holiday lights. Whether you’re a hobbyist just trying to bring a smile to your neighbors’ faces or a passionate enthusiast on an endless quest to dazzle the world with your display, you’ve certainly come across...[...]

Truly new developments in Christmas light technology are fairly few and far between, which makes it especially exciting when a new product hits the market that brings decorative lighting to the next level. That’s why the Twinkly Plus line of customizable lights has taken the market by storm, offering a uniquely tailored lighting experience for small business owners, hospitality professionals...[...]

For Christmas enthusiasts and professional installers alike, the king of Christmas lights is the C9. Big, bold, and beautiful, C9 lights form the cornerstone of the vast majority of holiday displays across the country. C9s are the large bulbs you see all over the place on Christmas; they’re most people’s favorite, and instantly familiar to anyone. However, not all C9...[...]

If there’s one thing Christmas enthusiasts go wild for, it’s customization. We understand. After all, being able to tailor the entirety of your Christmas display—both inside the house and out—is one of the great joys of the season. And with the advent of smart home technology like Amazon Alexa and Twinkly smart lights, that experience is now easier than ever...[...]

More and more people are buying indoor Christmas trees every year. Today, they’re far more popular than their real-life analogues: in fact, of the close to 100 million Christmas trees displayed every year, experts estimate that about 84% are artificial. With so many indoor Christmas tree enthusiasts out there, it shouldn’t be any surprise that it’s a crowded market. But...[...]

If there’s one problem that has plagued nearly every amateur who’s ever tried to set up a top-tier Christmas light display, it’s what to do with extra light line. You don’t have to be a pro to notice it in your own neighborhood: Those points on an otherwise perfectly lit perimeter where the installer suddenly realized their string was several...[...]

Christmas movies can be magical. They can also be bizarre. For many, these movies represent some of their most memorable experiences and they bring a feeling of holiday cheer. Few things are more peaceful than kicking back on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve with some gingerbread cookies and snuggling up to a warm fire while your favorite Christmas movie plays...[...]

It started back in 1983, when Chuck Smith of Franklin, Tennessee hooked up his Apple II computer to some Christmas lights. By his account, the resulting strobing, flashing light display was “truly amazing, but the most terrible thing ever seen for Christmas.” Next, to the staid, static lights of his neighbors, he felt like a showboater. But just before he...[...]

For some people, Christmas lights are an essential piece of the holiday season. For others, they’re a way of life. Get any seasoned light installer talking about their craft, and you’re sure to hear a barrage of unfamiliar terms, strong opinions, and unmitigated passion for their favorite hobby. But whether you’re a Christmas enthusiast on a mission to make your...[...]

The holiday travel gauntlet is almost upon us. Before we tuck into our turkey dinner or tear a single shred of wrapping paper, we have to brave the chaos and crowds that go hand-in-hand with Thanksgiving and Christmas. The bad news is, if you’re getting on a plane this holiday season, there’s probably no avoiding the haggard hordes. Last year...[...]

The holiday season is the time when families bundle up, pile into their cars, and drive around taking in all the glimmering holiday lights. But don’t forget: While onlookers are cruising through your neighborhood, they’re not just marveling at the animatronic reindeer. They’re also sizing up your curb appeal. After all, it’s impossible for them to say “Ooh!” and “Aah!”...[...]

Timers are an essential way to maintain your sanity when running any successful Christmas light display. I know, because growing up, I was the one tasked with manually plugging in each strand of my dad’s beloved, elaborate tangle of cords and cables every night. I was a kid, and I loved my dad’s truly stunning light displays, but it was...[...]

It’s October 25 and my neighbor’s Christmas lights are up. Personally, I’m not throwing any shade, but some would say this is too early. Some, even, would get mad about it. Certainly, to those passionate about the subject, Oct. 25 is preferable to the leaving your lights out year-round—a practice not recommended by Christmas Designers if for no other reason...[...]

Nothing makes an otherwise beautiful Christmas light display look sloppy like stray cords. You’ve seen them before: the extension cord hanging down in an ugly loop from the edge of the roofline, the gnarled cable poking out from beyond the bushes, or the thick line of lights snaking across the lawn. In fact, one of the biggest differences between a...[...]

Long before Christmas lights hit the scene and became a staple of the holiday season, greenery was the name of the decorative game. Originating way back in the 16th century among northern and eastern Europeans pruning their Christmas trees to fit indoors, excess evergreen limbs and sprigs have become nearly as iconic a symbol of yuletide as trees themselves. It’s...[...]

The biggest, brightest Christmas light displays tend to depend upon two mainstay bulbs that have stood the test of time: C7 holiday lights and C9 holiday lights. Whether you’re a hobbyist just trying to bring a smile to your neighbors’ faces or a passionate enthusiast on an endless quest to dazzle the world with your display, you’ve certainly come across...[...]

Truly new developments in Christmas light technology are fairly few and far between, which makes it especially exciting when a new product hits the market that brings decorative lighting to the next level. That’s why the Twinkly Plus line of customizable lights has taken the market by storm, offering a uniquely tailored lighting experience for small business owners, hospitality professionals...[...]

For Christmas enthusiasts and professional installers alike, the king of Christmas lights is the C9. Big, bold, and beautiful, C9 lights form the cornerstone of the vast majority of holiday displays across the country. C9s are the large bulbs you see all over the place on Christmas; they’re most people’s favorite, and instantly familiar to anyone. However, not all C9...[...]

If there’s one thing Christmas enthusiasts go wild for, it’s customization. We understand. After all, being able to tailor the entirety of your Christmas display—both inside the house and out—is one of the great joys of the season. And with the advent of smart home technology like Amazon Alexa and Twinkly smart lights, that experience is now easier than ever...[...]

More and more people are buying indoor Christmas trees every year. Today, they’re far more popular than their real-life analogues: in fact, of the close to 100 million Christmas trees displayed every year, experts estimate that about 84% are artificial. With so many indoor Christmas tree enthusiasts out there, it shouldn’t be any surprise that it’s a crowded market. But...[...]

If there’s one problem that has plagued nearly every amateur who’s ever tried to set up a top-tier Christmas light display, it’s what to do with extra light line. You don’t have to be a pro to notice it in your own neighborhood: Those points on an otherwise perfectly lit perimeter where the installer suddenly realized their string was several...[...]

Christmas movies can be magical. They can also be bizarre. For many, these movies represent some of their most memorable experiences and they bring a feeling of holiday cheer. Few things are more peaceful than kicking back on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve with some gingerbread cookies and snuggling up to a warm fire while your favorite Christmas movie plays...[...]

It started back in 1983, when Chuck Smith of Franklin, Tennessee hooked up his Apple II computer to some Christmas lights. By his account, the resulting strobing, flashing light display was “truly amazing, but the most terrible thing ever seen for Christmas.” Next, to the staid, static lights of his neighbors, he felt like a showboater. But just before he...[...]

For some people, Christmas lights are an essential piece of the holiday season. For others, they’re a way of life. Get any seasoned light installer talking about their craft, and you’re sure to hear a barrage of unfamiliar terms, strong opinions, and unmitigated passion for their favorite hobby. But whether you’re a Christmas enthusiast on a mission to make your...[...]

The holiday travel gauntlet is almost upon us. Before we tuck into our turkey dinner or tear a single shred of wrapping paper, we have to brave the chaos and crowds that go hand-in-hand with Thanksgiving and Christmas. The bad news is, if you’re getting on a plane this holiday season, there’s probably no avoiding the haggard hordes. Last year...[...]

The holiday season is the time when families bundle up, pile into their cars, and drive around taking in all the glimmering holiday lights. But don’t forget: While onlookers are cruising through your neighborhood, they’re not just marveling at the animatronic reindeer. They’re also sizing up your curb appeal. After all, it’s impossible for them to say “Ooh!” and “Aah!”...[...]