Putting up holiday lights is a rite of passage that comes with a lot of excitement and a little bit of pandemonium. To be honest, no one ever forgets the year the neighbor tried to put up a light show that could be seen from space. Maybe you want your own house to be the one that catches people’s attention this season, not the one with warning tape around a blown-out fusebox. It can be easier to ride in a sleigh if you hire a holiday lighting installation provider, but it’s best to have a plan.

To start, calendars are important. Don’t wait till pumpkin spice is old news and scarves are out. Light installers are as busy as Santa’s elves on Christmas Eve, and the finest times fill up fast. Try to call weeks before the changeover goes from scary to sparkling. Pro tip: The day after Halloween isn’t just for cheap candy; it’s also a great opportunity to find a crew. Watch them fill up like an airport after a snowfall.

A little note about budgeting. Yes, you can locate someone who will put lights in your bushes for the cost of a pizza. But the greatest way to balance quality and inventiveness is to talk to real pros. There is a skill to hanging icicles such that the roofline shines but doesn’t look like you left half the work for the dog. Be clear about charges ahead of time and inquire what is included. Some places rent the lights and take them down, while others ask you to put them back in storage when you’re done.

Let’s speak about being too ambitious now. Not every house requires a light show that might be in a theme park. Let your installer know how you want the twinkle to look, whether it’s big, small, or something in between. Talk about safety! Ladders, slippery rooftops, and extension cords that seem to have a mind of their own may quickly destroy the Christmas mood. A good installation will have insurance, know how to handle challenging situations, and have ideas for how to make your home look good without tripping circuit breakers.

Personal stories make the transaction even better. One family said they hired professionals after spending three hours trying to fix a tangled string of lights, only to find out that half of them weren’t working. The professionals came, cleaned up the mess, and even gave some smart suggestions regarding where to put that old plastic reindeer. The result? Fewer shouts and more smiles.

Think about solutions that are good for the environment as well. LED lights use less power and last longer, so ask the installers what they have. In January, when the utility bills come, you’ll be glad you did.

Don’t forget to talk to each other. Be honest and upfront about what you want and don’t want. Good installers pay attention and change the layout until everyone is happy. Pictures are helpful; use pictures of last year’s successes or failures as “do” and “don’t” examples.

If you book early, know what you want, keep safety in mind, and select installers who treat your home like their own, everything will go well. This year, while you drink cocoa and wait for the “oohs” and “aahs” from friends, family, and maybe a few jealous neighbors, let someone else deal with the tangled cables. The festive glow can—and should—be easy to get.