How to deck the halls safely this Christmas

December is officially here, and there’s nothing quite like transforming your home into a cosy, twinkling Christmas haven. Whether you’re untangling last year’s fairy lights, climbing up to hang wreaths, or giving the tree its final flourish, decorating for Christmas is one of the most loved DIY jobs of the year. It brings the whole family together, sets the tone for the season, and fills your home with that unmistakable festive warmth.

But as fun as it all is, Christmas decorating can quickly turn risky without the proper tools, especially when ladders, extensions, drills, and outdoor lighting are involved – and of course, that’s where we come in. At Smiths Hire, we’ve been helping DIYers for over 50 years, offering safe, reliable equipment to help make every project run smoothly. So, before you grab the nearest chair or stretch a little too far to reach that awkward corner, here’s how to make your Christmas decorating safer, easier, and a whole lot more enjoyable with the right tools.

Make light work of heights

Whether you’re hanging lights outside or reaching up to decorate a tall tree indoors, height is one of the biggest hazards during Christmas prep. Many of us are guilty of standing on stools, wobbly chairs, or that step ladder you’ve been meaning to replace, but using the right equipment makes a world of difference.

A sturdy step ladder, combination ladder, or podium step gives you the stability you need to decorate safely. If you’re planning to hang lights along your roofline or gutters and you’re thinking how to put up outdoor Christmas lights without performing your own festive acrobatics, a scaffold tower or a low-level access hire platform can make life a whole lot easier, especially if you’re determined to reach those awkward, sky-high spots.

And yes, if you were wondering, you can hang lights around your gutters, as long as you do it properly. Stick to plastic gutter clips or outdoor-safe hooks, nothing involving nails, screws, or anything that’ll have your gutters crying out for help by January. Lightweight LED lights are ideal here; they look great and won’t pull the guttering out of shape.

But if you’re only draping lights around the porch, a regular ladder will do the trick nicely. Just make sure someone’s there to spot you, particularly if the ground’s wet, nobody wants to slip before the mince pies are even out!

Hang your lights with confidence

Outdoor lights might get a lot of attention at Christmas, but most of the decorating happens inside, so it is worth knowing how to handle both. With the right tools and a little know-how, you can hang everything safely and make the whole place sparkle.

Outdoor lights made simple

Before you begin outside, give your lights a quick check to make sure there are no frayed wires, cracked bulbs or loose connections. If something looks a bit questionable, it is best to replace it. Once everything is good to go, think about where you want the lights to sit. Rooflines, porches, fences and garden archways are all popular choices and work brilliantly once you know how to put Christmas lights up outside safely.

To get them in place, stick to outdoor clips and hooks. These grip securely and do not damage your home. If you are figuring out how to put up outdoor Christmas lights on brick or a solid surface, a cordless drill with the correct fixings will help you create safe mounting points. Nails, screws and staple guns are best avoided because they can split cables and cause unnecessary damage. For lighter strings or simple displays, temporary mounting clips will do the job nicely.

Once your lights are up, make sure your cables are tidy and safe. Avoid running them across walkways and always use outdoor-rated extension leads and weatherproof connectors. This keeps everything protected from the rain and makes your display much safer, especially if you are working out how to set up Christmas lights outdoors in damp or unpredictable weather.

Bringing the sparkle indoors

Indoor lights are usually easier to manage, but they still need a bit of thought to keep everything safe and looking its best. Mantelpieces, staircases, shelves and window frames all look lovely wrapped in lights and garlands. Real trees, artificial trees and even houseplants can all be dressed up, but the key is to attach everything securely so nothing slips or overheats.

For indoor decorating, adhesive hooks and removable clips are your best friends. They keep lights in place without damaging paintwork. If you are wrapping lights around a staircase or bannister, use soft ties or clip-on holders so nothing shifts underfoot. When dressing the tree, start with the lights and work from the bottom upward. This stops cables from getting tangled and makes the whole job look much more polished.

Before plugging anything in, check that all bulbs are intact and that the cables are not twisted or pinched. Keep lights away from heaters, candles and busy walkways. For extra safety and peace of mind, use LED lights because they stay cool and use far less energy. If you are adding multiple light sets in one room, use an indoor-rated extension block rather than daisy-chaining plugs together. This keeps everything neat and reduces the risk of overload.

With a bit of planning, the right clips and fixings and a quick safety check of your lights, your indoor and outdoor displays will both look bright, secure and beautifully festive.

Decorate tall trees and tricky spaces without the drama

What is Christmas without a Christmas tree? It’s the centrepiece of the whole display, the thing everyone gathers around and the one decoration that absolutely has to look right. But getting it dressed from top to bottom can be a bit of a circus act if you are not set up properly. A little care and the right tools make the whole process feel a lot more joyful and a lot less like a festive workout.

Indoor trees

When you are decorating a tall tree indoors, a proper step ladder is your best friend. It keeps you steady while you wrap the lights, spread the tinsel and place your favourite ornaments. At Smiths Hire, we have plenty of ladders available for hire, and we’ll deliver them directly to your door so you can get started right away. However, before you do, remember to keep three points of contact as you climb and move so you stay balanced. If you are trying to reach the top for that final flourish, have someone stand nearby to hold the ladder and pass things up. Decorating is always more fun with company anyway.

Try not to climb the ladder with an armful of baubles or a huge bundle of lights. If you cannot see your feet, you cannot see where you are stepping, and things can go wrong very quickly. Pass decorations up one at a time or use a small bucket or pouch that can be lifted once you are settled. Slow and steady always looks better in the end.

Outdoor trees

If your festive spirit has made its way into the garden and you have a tall outdoor tree to dress, the same simple rules make all the difference. Make sure your ladder is stable on firm ground before you climb. Soft grass and uneven soil can shift under your feet, especially if it is a bit damp. Keep three points of contact, take your time and ask someone to spot you so you are not juggling branches and decorations alone.

Never try to reach too far to the side. If you cannot comfortably reach a branch, climb down and move the ladder a little. It saves you wobbling about, and it keeps both you and your decorations safe. If you are working with heavier items, get a helper to pass things up so you are not trying to balance weight while you climb. We even have a blog with our top tips for staying safe on ladders, which you can take a look at before you get started!

Enjoy a safer, smoother Christmas setup with Smiths Hire

Taking a little extra time to choose the right tools for the job makes decorating quicker and more enjoyable, and massively reduces the risk of accidents – win-win! And with our wide range of equipment, all professionally serviced and ready to go, you can focus on the fun part of Christmas without worrying about unexpected mishaps.

We have 18 depots across the North West and Yorkshire, including Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool and Leeds. So, if you’ve got your Christmas decorating on the to-do list and need the right equipment, pop into your local depot or give our friendly team a call on 0333 323 2100 we’re always happy to help you get the job done safely!