One hour for outdoor lighting; where’s my time best spent? Advice?

Hi folks! Like the title says, I'll only have about an hour to do any lighting when I get home before a local light event. Where should I spend my time for the biggest impact? I'd love the house to look cheerful before people start driving by after dark. For reference, my immediate neighbors have elaborate displays, but I've been busy at work and away some.

Here's what we're working with: Home- 2 story colonial on a corner on a slight hill. The small, covered front porch is elevated from ground level by 4 steps and is partially obscured by shrubs and a small tree 30 feet from the steps. The mailbox is on the corner at street level with 2 large oak trees between it and the house. There are 3 shepherds crook bird feeders spread around the front yard that I've lighted to look like candy canes in the past. Currently the windows have individual candles and there is a wreath on the door with some colored lights. Available materials:

  • 45ish feet of fake greenery garland
  • 8+ strands of colored LED lights (20-25ft each)
  • 4-6 strands of red LED lights
  • 4-6 strands clear LED lights
  • 100s of feet of various extension cords
  • 1-2 nets of clear LED lights that isn't large enough to fully cover the shrubs
  • Grinch wood cutout I can put at the end of a strand of lights when I run out of time

Some ranges are given because I won't have time to troubleshoot if some of the strands aren't working after storage.

Any ideas for how to get the most bang for my time-limited buck would be deeply appreciated. Thank you all!

Posted Dec 14, 2024, 5:50 PM UTC

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