With the holidays just around the corner, it's time to start hanging wreaths and stringing lights. And despite a dismal retail forecast this holiday season, you can still make your home look festive for less.
Experts say the first step is deciding how you want to decorate your home and looking at what lighting options are available. One way to save is to swap your old string of lights with a newer LED version. These lights last up to ten times longer and use 75% less energy, which translates into lower energy bills. And LED lights run at a much cooler temperature than standard bulbs, providing greater peace of mind.
Another tip is to identify the rooms your family spends the most time in and replace some bulbs with enhanced color compact fluorescent bulbs to save energy while highlighting holiday decorations. Other ideas include using rechargeable decorations and holiday surprises when entertaining such as light up table runners and coasters.