Posted in Projects to Make, Garden Ideas, Minilights |
Minilights - Not just for Christmas anymore!
June 13th, 2006
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When I was young, minilights as we know them did not exist. We had REALLY big lights that were used outside, and a medium version of that same light that was used on the Christmas tree. And those lights were ONLY used as the holiday time. I don’t know who invented the clear minilight strings that we see so many of today, but they designed a winner. Today, those lights are used for decorating in homes, businesses (years ago I designed the interior of a restaraunt and they were an integral part of my design), and gardens everywhere.
One of my favorite outdoor uses for them, is in “tree-wrapping” - the process of winding strings and strings and STRINGS of minilights around a trunk and its branches. While in Atlanta, I visited a restaraunt (Ron’s River Run, as a matter of fact). They had done an exceptionally good job of tree-wrapping. What constitutes an “exceptionally good” job of tree-wrapping? Give me a minute, and I’ll show you.
Their trees remained lit in the daytime - and I was struck with how the lights really stood out, even in daylight. Click on that picture on the left to see a bigger view.
Back to what constitutes “an exceptionally good job of tree-wrapping” - taking the time to INDIVIDUALLY wrap on each tree, a large quantity of branches all the way to the tips - THAT , constitutes “an exceptionally good job of tree-wrapping”! When this is done and the tree is lit at night, it looks absolutely STUNNING! Click on this picture to see a better view.
I will definitely take the time to do a more throrough wrapping of trees with my minilights as I set up outdoor rooms. The extra effort provides much more ambience - and at a dollar a string, I can add that little extra drama and still remain in my budget.
Your Frugal Decorating Diva,
Nancy
