First, you’ll need some zipcord.  We carry it in several colors; brown, green, white, red, or black.  Make sure you chose the color that fits what you need.  You can match it to your carpet so it blends in with your house, or match it to the wall and clip it up so it’s not on the floor.

Your next necessity will be female and male plugs.  You’ll need a male plug to plug your extension cord directly into the wall.  You’ll need as many female plugs as you would like outlets on the extension cord.

Lastly, you’ll need a pair of wire cutters.  We don’t sell those, so you will actually have to visit that hardware store down the street.

The steps are simple:

1)      Measure the zipcord to your desired length

2)      Clip the zipcord with the wire cutters

3)      Slide the end of your zipcord into the male plug and slide the cover on

4)      Slide the other end of your zipcord into a female plug and slide that cover on

5)      Add female plugs in-line; as many as you like to suit your needs (SPT 2 wire and plugs are suggested for more outlets as they are thicker and can handle more outlets)

Have fun making all your extension cords!    Give us a call if you have any further questions.  We would be happy to help you.

On November 21, the Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway opens up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  It was constructed with an astounding 1.7 miles of LED lights!  All the info about this event is right here:

http://www.giftoflightstms.com/

The Gift of Lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway will be opening its doors on November 16 in Georgia.  This park used 1.5 miles of LED lights and is offering a special treat.  Read all about the light event right here:

http://www.giftoflightsatlms.com/

On November 16, the Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will open up.  Las Vegas is known for its abundance of lights and glittery excitement, and this light show fits right in.  It was named one of the top 10 holiday events in North America by AOL/MSN and CityChurch.com.  This is one you do not want to miss.  For more information, click here:

http://www.vegasglitteringlights.com/

The Arizona Celebration of Lights is also its region’s largest Christmas lights extravaganza.  It is hosted by the Phoenix Event Complex and was crafted with over 7 million LED lights.  It opens up this year on November 15^th .  Find out all about it right here:

http://www.azcelebrationoflights.com/

The Gift of Lights at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will be opening up on November 16^th .  It was crafted with over a mile of LED lights and celebrates the single largest sports event complex in the New England area.  All the info you need is right here:

http://www.giftoflightsnhms.com/

Middlesex County Fairgrounds in New Jersey is hosting LightFest this season in cooperation with Dare NJ. This spectacular show will be opening November 16 at 5:30 pm.  You can drive through any night with your family and friends. Find out all about this spectacular event below:

http://www.lightfestnewjersey.com/

SpaceCoast LightFest presented by Boy Scouts of America and Central Florida Council opens November 18^th this year.  Located at Wickham Park, this extraordinary light show is sure to please.  Special prices apply for those bringing a new gift for Toys for Tots!  More information about this show can be found at:

http://www.spacecoastlightfest.com/

If these parks aren’t close enough to home, we’ve got more!!

Elizabeth Farms in Lititz, PA http://elizabethfarms.com/gift-of-lights/

Carolina Christmas in Concord, NC http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/christmas/

Holiday Nights In Lights in Ottumwa, IA http://www.holidaynightsnlights.com/

The Country Christmas in Pewaukee, WI http://www.thecountrychristmas.com/

The Big Bright Light Show in  Rochester, MI http://www.downtownrochestermi.com/events/big-bright-light-show/

The town of Mooseheart, IL

In addition to the enjoyment of the lights themselves, most of the parks are offering a special bonus: the first 15,000 vehicles will receive a free holiday gift bag!  Do yourself and your family a favor and make visiting at least one of these light parks part of your holiday plans.  You will not be disappointed.

CBSdfw.com

http://events.dfw.cbslocal.com/fortworth/events/gift-lights-texas-motor-sp-/E0-001-051489402-0@2012112117

Dallas.com

http://www.dallas.com/gift-of-lights-at-texas-motor-speedway-e1629641

DallasObserver.com

http://www.voiceplaces.com/gift-of-lights-at-texas-motor-speedway-dallas-fort-worth-2730205-e/

DFW.com

http://listings.dfw.com/fort_worth_tx/events/show/266514245-gift-of-lights-at-texas-motor-speedway

Eventful.com

http://eventful.com/fortworth/events/gift-lights-texas-motor-sp-/E0-001-051489402-0@2012112117

GuideLive.com

http://listings.guidelive.com/fort_worth_tx/events/show/266514245-gift-of-lights-at-texas-motor-speedway

MyFoxDFW.com

http://myfoxdfw.eviesays.com/event/665172/gift-of-lights-at-texas-motor-speedway.html

NBCdfw.com

http://events.nbcdfw.com/fortworth/events/gift-lights-texas-motor-sp-/E0-001-051489402-0@2012112117

PegasusNews.com

http://www.pegasusnews.com/events/ongoing/187023/

897PowerFM.com

http://www.897Powerfm.com/BulletinBoard.html

RSVP Calendar

http://www.rsvpcalendar.com/dallas/index.html?monthno=11&year=2012&Submit.x=10&Submit.y=8&Submit=Submit

The33tv.com

http://www.the33tv.com/community/calendar/kdaf-community-2885,0,5938676.htmlstory

VisitDallas.com

http://www.visitdallas.com/includes/events/Gift-of-Lights-at-Texas-Motor-Speedway/18237/

WRR101.com

http://www.wrr101.com/default.asp?cid=8795&id=241

We’ll start with a very simple, economical way to hang your stockings.  You will only need two stocking hangers (the one’s you typically hang your stockings on from a mantle).  Place one on each end of the mantle, add a standard curtain rod, and hang as many stockings as you wish.

Create a decorative snowman for your dining room, entry way, or to place on a table.  All you will need are three different sizes of fish bowls (which can typically be found for cheap at your local Goodwill).  Place fake snow in each fish bowl, about half full.  Add some small accessories of your choice (tiny snowmen, tiny pine trees, animals, etc.).  The next step is to stack the fish bowls largest on bottom, then place a sock hat on top of the smallest bowl.  The finished product is an elegant indoor snowman that you can keep up until well after Christmas if you wish.

The next project is a Jingle Bell Shadowbox.  Find an inexpensive shadowbox at a local second hand shop or Goodwill store.  Glue some festive scrapbook paper to the backing (You can purchase by the page at most craft stores).  Now fill your shadowbox one-quarter to half full with jingle balls.  Next, place stencil letters and spell out something creative like, “Jingle all the way” on the front.  The final step, find a beautiful ribbon that matches your scrapbook paper and glue to the outer frame, tie a bow at the top, and your finished product is a cute décor idea for any room in the house.  You could recreate this for other holidays, also.  By just changing the contents, the paper on the back, and the color of the bow, you can create ‘new’ décor for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or for any holiday you choose to decorate your home.

The next décor idea is super simple.  Purchase some inexpensive white, green, or red pillar candles from your local dollar store.  Next time you are at the grocery store, pick up a container of cinnamon sticks.  With a glue gun, place the cinnamon sticks around the pillar candle, tie a ribbon around the cinnamon sticks, and you have created a gorgeous centerpiece.  Combine two or three candles on a platter (you can purchase inexpensive holiday platters at most Dollar Stores) to create different looks.

Last but not least today, we’re going to tackle a snowman to hang from the front door as an alternative to a wreath.  Start with three Styrofoam balls approximately 2”, 3”, and 4”.  Cut them in two equal halves (so they’ll hang flatter against your door).  Wrap half of each ball with white yarn, and when you’ve completed wrapping a half ball in each size, hot glue them with the smallest on top and largest on bottom.  Hot glue some large buttons on the middle (or middle and large if you prefer).  You can find some inexpensive burlap ribbon at Walmart to create a scarf for your snowman.  Using 20 gauge wire, wrap some wire around an object of your choosing (children’s blocks work well) multiple times until you have created a hat to place on your snowman.  You could also use a child’s stocking hat or a sock.  Using the same 20 gauge wire, bend and twist to create some arms that you can just poke into your Styrofoam balls.  Your finished project is  an adorable snowman.  Get crafty and personalize any way you choose.

Put your own twist on any of the above suggestions and share your finished products with us!  We would love to see what you come up with!

When it comes to the setting-up of a light show, the imagination has endless avenues. With the advent of (L.E.D) Light Emitting Diode technology, the efficiency of light shows has increased twofold, it can now take ten times the amount of lights and up to Eighty percent less power. The L.E.D technology has allowed for extra connectability when it comes to string lighting.  As well, it is now possible to string up to one half of a mile of lights and use less that 6 amps of power, unheard of technology from days of Yore. The L.E.D technology has a plethora of different lens style and construction, with the most common being C7.

Light shows offer many of this type of lighting technology, simply because of the power consumption and the reasonable price points on this product. Light shows offer a wonderful opportunity for the average family to enjoy the holidays while seeing tough times in the economy. The days of taking a short Vacation has almost disappeared due to extravagant inflation and extended consumer gouging from airfare to fuel expense, hence the actual word, “Staycation”, this term is coined in the simplest terms as a defined way to enjoy time with the family and save money The Holiday Light Show offers everything from fun and laughs with family and friends, to everlasting memories, that won’t be forgotten.

The new additions to this year’s displays are sure to please, each complete with thousands of shimmering, dancing lights.  All of the returning displays have been revamped for more glorious shine than previous years.  Of course your favorites will be returning again this year, but I promise you will not want to miss all the dazzling new additions this years displays have to offer.

Our many elves are busy right now installing at parks around the country, and they are periodically sending back pictures of each park.  Make sure you are checking out all of our social media often so you can get the first glimpse of what your favorite park has in store for you this year!

*Wrap pictures from your wall with holiday wrapping paper.  You can add ribbons and bows for a little more fun, then simply hang back on your wall.  When the holiday season has passed, all you have to do is unwrap your wall ‘gifts’ and re-hang the pictures.

*Turn your kitchen cabinet doors into gorgeous packages.  Wrap ribbon with a large bow length-wise around the cabinet door.  When the door is shut, it looks like a beautifully wrapped present.

*Create a glamorous table centerpiece using old bottles of different shapes/sizes.  Spray paint the (clean) bottles white or silver and sprinkle with glitter.  Once dry, place the bottles on a silver or white serving tray.  Add candles of different sizes or ornaments.  You could also sprinkle fake snow around the tray for a different look.

*Spray paint some pine cones (one color per cone) white, red, green, gold, or silver.  Once dry, place the painted cones in a glass bowl, vase, or a basket and place on any table.

Never heard of a light park before?  Be prepared for Gift of Lights drive-thru light show to captivate with millions of illustrious lights, thousands of magical dancing displays, in a unique entertaining atmosphere.  Bigger, brighter and more impressive than ever before, this holiday family tradition can be enjoyed from the comforts and convenience of your own vehicle.  Neander through over-the-top holiday decor, shimmering and twinkling lights with family and friends to create lasting memories.

If you have ever walked past someone’s house and were amazed by what they did with their decorations and Christmas lights, then you are in for a real treat.  A light park is one hundred times more captivating than the most elaborate home display!  It is truly something to see.  There is something magical about string lights when they are put together and lit up just the right way.  Each light park contains upwards of one million light bulbs!!

You and your family are guaranteed to have a great time at a light park.  You can drive through, relax, and enjoy the beauty of it all.  It is also a superb idea to take friends.

If you have never been through a Light Park, this is the year you MUST decide to make it part of your holiday tradition.  The drive-thru light display is breathtaking to say the least.  Each park provides a beautiful, fun, unique environment to enjoy with the entire family.

For those without families, Light Parks are a great way to create a holiday tradition with that special someone.  Sweep them away to a fantasy land where they can get lost in the sights and put their worries and cares on the back burner.  Everyone deserves a break from the hustle and bustle of life.  A Light Park experience can provide just the break you need.

Some people just have a difficult time getting into the holiday spirit.  A trip through a Light Park can take you back to those childhood memories.  It stirs up the holiday spirit in all of us.  A trip through the Light Park can inspire and encourage even the biggest holiday cynic.  Who knows, you may even be inspired to go home and bake some holiday goodies, or decorate your dwelling place to make it warm and inviting for holiday guests.

The feelings invoked from the Light Park experience will be as unique as each individual who incorporates a drive through into their holiday tradition.  You will not want to miss out on your unique experience.