How to Plan a Large-Scale LED Christmas Display for Your Business

Most businesses produce a commercial holiday lighting display during the Christmas season. They can be as simple as hanging a few lights or as complex as a choreographed display that dances to music and can be seen from miles away. These large-scale outdoor Christmas decorations are ideal for marketing and building a sense of community. 

How do you plan a large-scale LED Christmas display? It requires considerable hard work and planning. But with the right approach, you can create an impressive display that will make your business stand out in its industry.

First, you must set goals for your commercial LED Christmas display. These objectives relate to your theme, consumer interactions, and finances. Here are some to consider. 

Custom Christmas displays for businesses begin by identifying your business Christmas decoration themes and message. These components dictate the decorations you purchase and display and how you arrange and operate them. They are a guiding factor for all that comes next. 

With so many themes to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down your choices. You can select a vintage Christmas theme, a modern one, or one related to pop culture, like Nightmare Before Christmas or A Christmas Story. However, you can’t go wrong when integrating aspects of your business.

For example, you can integrate your business colors into your commercial-grade Christmas light installation to promote your brand identity. You can also make your products part of your display. For example, a barber shop may use decorations shaped like scissors and razors or an eloquently coiffed Santa.

Next, you must consider your target audience and how your display helps generate foot traffic. Your theme should align with this audience. For example, if your customer base is young, they may prefer modern pop culture themes, while older audiences may prefer something vintage and nostalgic.

Regarding foot traffic, the bigger your interactive LED Christmas displays, the better. The larger and more unusual display, the more people you will attract. However, you must also abide by local laws. 

For example, if your business is in a shopping center, there may be regulations regarding where you can set your display elements and when they can be lit. 

Budget is another consideration. You want your display to produce ROI, not break the bank.

Start by considering how much you can spend on your LED Christmas decorations for commercial use. Then, list all the components you want to include and their estimated cost. If you begin going over budget, eliminate items that aren’t essential, or consider how you can cut costs by settling for lower-quality goods. 

Your budget should also include the cost of operating the system, expenses related to professional installation, and other related costs.

After planning your display, you can get more specific about the components you must purchase. Here are some guidelines for choosing LED lights for large displays and other complementary decorations. 

LED lights are a popular choice for most businesses as they are more durable and energy-efficient than other types of lighting. However, there are various types of LED lights to choose from, including the following:

• 5 mm Wide Angle Mini Lights: Though small, these concave lights generate illumination in various directions, making them ideal for indoor trees, wreaths, and garlands.
• M5 & T5 Mini Lights: These mini lights are designed to produce the nostalgic effect of incandescent bulbs and are perfect for wrapping around greenery and porch columns.
• G12 Raspberry Lights: These lights are so named because they resemble raspberries or gumdrops. Their diamond facets allow them to emit radiant light.
• C6 Strawberry Lights: The unique strawberry shape gives these lights a distinct look. They are perfect for illuminating bushes and trees.
• C7  & C9 Christmas Lights: These classic Christmas lights are the largest, with C9 somewhat larger than C7. Their bold appearance is helpful when you want to make a statement with your holiday decor. 

You should also consider your light color, string length, and remote control options. 

A Christmas display cannot be solely light. Here are some elements you may consider adding to your holiday display.

• Trees: Consider adding a tree to your business's exterior or interior. Trees can be prelit, artificial, or real. They make ideal centerpieces for any decoration.
• Wreaths: Wreaths are classics, although today, they can be found in various colors and styles, from goth to modern. They look great on doors and walls.
• Garlands: Garlands can wrap around banisters and poles, hang across walls, or add life to other decorative elements. Lit or unlit, they enhance a classic display.
• Props: Props help you tell your Christmas story. Choose from figurines and inflatables, or create a selfie station for interactive fun.
• Banners and Graphics: Banners can be incorporated into your display to relate your holiday message. When hung high, they increase visibility to people who may not be close to your area. 

Now that you know which lighting and display elements you will use, you must decide where to put them. These helpful large-building Christmas lighting ideas will guide you in the right direction. 

Begin by mapping your available space. Are you limited to your store’s interior, or can you use shared or public space for your decor? Create a map as a model of your design and begin adding your elements.

Several factors must be considered when mapping out the area, but visibility is integral. It will help you attract foot traffic. If possible, use outdoor areas. If not, install decorative components in your window, ensuring they are visible to passers-by. 

Another consideration is aesthetics. To promote an attractive appearance, ensure your decorations are well-spaced. Avoid overcrowding and plan placement to support the desired effect. 

As a business, safety is a priority. Any hazards can lead to devastating injuries involving your customers, employees, and properties. A safe installation reduces the risk of injuries, saving your reputation, liability expenses, and endangerment. 

Here are some safety measures to consider:

• Ladder Safety Rules: Christmas installation often involves climbing ladders. Ensure employees are aware of ladder safety rules. They should maintain contact with the ladder, confirm it is on steady ground, and use a buddy system.

• Electrical Safety: To prevent fires, use outdoor-rated lights and extension chords in outdoor LED Christmas displays, inspect the lights for damage, avoid overloading outlets, use power strips with circuit breakers, and use weatherproof connectors.

• Secure Lights Properly: Ensure lights are well secured so they don’t fall and do damage.
• Be Mindful of Fire Hazards: To reduce fire risks, keep lights away from flammable materials, turn off lights when leaving the building, and stay away from powerlines. 

You can do your installation yourself or hire a professional. Some may prefer to do the task themselves to save money. However, a professional provides better results and may even save you money in the long run.

Here are some benefits of hiring a professional:

• Your display will look impressive.
• You can avoid safety risks- professionals are typically well-trained in light display safety. Most companies have liability insurance and can handle any damage or injuries.
• You will save time, allowing you to focus on promoting your business during the holiday season.
• Professionals can use their lights and take them with them after the display goes down, minimizing the need for storage.

Your light display should aim for engagement and energy efficiency. Engaging displays promote branding through Christmas decorations and attract and captivate crowds, ensuring a pleasant experience. Energy efficiency saves money and benefits the planet.

These holiday lighting marketing strategy tips will ensure you reach your engagement and energy efficiency goals. 

Programmable LED lights can do whatever you want. You can program them to music to create a full-on light show that will captivate your audience.

Complex programming requires extensive technological skills and a professional installer can help. However, you can also use the system's switches to make them blink on and off and achieve a similar effect. 

If you wonder how to attract customers with holiday decor, photo-worthy moments will do the trick. If you integrate a selfie station or have Santa visit, people will take photos, likely post them on social media and tag your store. Followers who see the picture may want to visit the store for a similar experience.

Energy-efficient Christmas lighting is simple: Use LED bulbs. Although LED bulbs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, considering their initial costs, they use 90% less energy and last 25 times longer. Thus, they will save you money in the long run. 

A professional will be aware of safety risks and ensure your display is compliant.

Automation and smart timers for Christmas lights also save money and energy. You can set timers to ensure your lights turn on and off at the same time every day, ensuring they aren’t accidentally left on. Programmable LED lights for displays also allow you to turn off lights from remote locations if they are accidentally activated. 

Setting up a large-scale LED Christmas display is not easy, but you can achieve your goals with careful planning. Professional installation is another option. A professional will ensure your display is safe and looks terrific, saving you time and money in the long run. 

Dekra Lite has you covered. We offer various decorative elements and various installation services. Our team has been decking the malls since 1987.

Contact us for assistance in making your large-scale LED Christmas display look its best.

Yes, LED lights are the most cost-effective option for commercial displays. Although more expensive than incandescent bulbs, these energy-saving holiday decorations last longer, saving you money in the long run.

Commercial LED Christmas lights typically last 25,000 to 75,000 hours, which, depending on usage habits, translates to roughly 6 to 7 seasons.

Several issues may arise when creating a large-scale LED display, but the two most significant are inadequate planning and not following holiday display safety guidelines. Plan your display carefully, considering components, budget, and lighting elements. Ensure you stay safe from fire hazards and when using ladders. 

Yes, you can customize LED displays to match your business branding. It’s a great way to spread brand awareness. Use lighting that matches your brand’s colors. You may also include your mascot or products in your display. 

Consider the size of your Christmas display components based on the size of your decorative space. Ensure all components fit based on length and width. Space carefully to avoid overcrowding. Place larger objects in central locations and surround them with smaller objects to enhance aesthetics.