We didn’t set out to impress the neighbors. Honestly, we were just tired.
Tired of dragging bins out of the garage. Tired of sorting through strands of lights that definitely worked when we packed them. Tired of guessing which bulbs had blown. And very, very tired of climbing a frozen aluminum ladder in the middle of a Calgary cold snap.
So last year, we decided to try something different. We installed permanent LED Christmas lights.
At first, it felt a little over the top. Like we were buying into a trend we didn’t really need. But now—twelve months in—I can say this: it was one of the best decisions we’ve made for the house. And more people in Calgary are catching on.
Here’s why.
It’s Not Just a “Holiday” Thing Anymore
When we first started shopping around, the word “Christmas” in the name kind of threw us off. We figured it was all about holiday sparkle and nothing more.
But that’s not really how it works.
Yes, they’re great at Christmas. Press a button and your house looks like it belongs in a Hallmark movie. But once December passes? The lights don’t come down… and they don’t have to.
You can keep a soft warm white glow for curb appeal. Switch to red and white for Canada Day. Try amber tones in the fall, or purple for Halloween. We even did pastels for Easter, just to see if anyone noticed (they did).
So yeah—they’re Christmas lights. But they’re not just Christmas lights.
In Calgary, the Weather Makes This a No-Brainer
This might be the most Calgary-specific reason, but it matters: the weather here is just too unpredictable to count on a smooth lighting season.
Try putting up lights in mid-November and there’s a 50/50 chance you’re dealing with ice, wind, or snow. And once they’re up? You’re still going to battle with cords, timers, and the occasional mid-winter reset when one side goes out.
Permanent LED Christmas lights bypass all of that.
They’re already up. They’re sealed, weather-tested, and designed to survive Calgary’s rollercoaster forecast. And if something does go wrong, it’s usually a quick fix through the app—not a rooftop rescue mission in -20°C windchill.
The House Looks Good. Always.
I didn’t expect to care this much, but I do: the house just looks better.
At night, even with a basic soft white setup, the roofline glows evenly and cleanly. Not too bright. Not flickering. Just… polished.
And when we want to get festive? It’s a couple of taps. Red and green. Blue and white. Twinkling, fading, color cycling—you name it.
It feels like our house got a little upgrade in personality. And people notice. We’ve had delivery guys compliment the lights. Neighbors ask about the setup. Even our kids enjoy picking “themes” when we have company coming over.
It’s one of those little upgrades that makes everything feel just a bit more put-together.
No Storage, No Setup, No Stress
Here’s something I didn’t expect: I don’t dread December anymore.
There’s no day on the calendar marked “Put up lights.” No scramble to untangle wires or find the box of replacement clips.
And there’s no pressure to take them down in January, when it’s cold, and you can’t feel your hands, and all you want to do is hibernate.
They’re just… handled. Done.
It’s amazing how much more relaxed the holidays feel when you’re not starting them from the top of a ladder.
Not All Installers Are Equal—Here’s Who We Chose
When we started researching who to hire, we quickly realized something: not all permanent LED Christmas lights are created equal.
Some systems are clunky. Some look obvious during the day. Some require more maintenance than they’re worth. And some installers? Well… let’s just say we read a few reviews we didn’t want to repeat.
After talking to neighbors and seeing a few setups in person, we went with Lights by HomeOne—and I can honestly say they nailed it.
From the first conversation, they were focused on what we wanted. They looked at our home layout, explained how the lighting would sit flush under the soffits, and walked us through every step before we committed.
The install? Quick, clean, and surprisingly quiet. No mess, no disruption. And the final result looked even better than we imagined.
The Lights by HomeOne system came with a super easy-to-use app, with pre-built color themes and customization options (our youngest insists on “candy cane mode” most of December). And when we had a quick question about syncing the timer with sunset, they answered right away. No runaround.
If you’re in Calgary and looking to do this right—skip the guesswork and talk to them. They know their stuff.
It’s a Big Upgrade, But the Value Is Real
Let’s get one thing out of the way: this isn’t a weekend DIY with a $50 budget.
The install, the lights, the controls—yeah, it costs more than a few strands from a big box store. But this isn’t in the same category.
It’s like comparing a folding chair to a built-in bench. One is temporary. The other becomes part of your home.
And once you factor in the time saved, the yearly expenses avoided (because something always needs replacing), and the fact that our home’s curb appeal got a nice bump… it starts to feel like a smart investment.
Plus, it’s built to last. So unless we move, we won’t be buying another box of outdoor lights again.
Final Thought: This Trend Isn’t Just Trendy
There’s always hesitation with stuff like this. Is it worth it? Will it look too “extra”? Will I regret it next year?
We had all those thoughts.
But now that we’ve lived with permanent LED Christmas lights for a full year—across every season, every holiday, and plenty of regular days in between—we’re confident this isn’t just a passing trend. It’s something more and more Calgary homeowners are doing because… well, it just makes sense.
It’s low effort. It looks good. It feels finished. And honestly? It’s kind of fun.