Christmas Light Displays

[CarlSpackler]

I'm thinking of geeking out my Christmas light display with a controller this year. Has anyone done this before?

Here is one option that I am considering.

[woodzie264]

I love Jesus, love Christmas...hate decorating

[iacas]

@CarlSpackler, why?

[CarlSpackler]

1 minute ago, iacas said:

@CarlSpackler, why?

Why not? 

[iacas]

14 minutes ago, CarlSpackler said:

Why not? 

Because it will take time, energy, money, annoy neighbors, and is old hat by this point?

[CarlSpackler]

Just now, iacas said:

Because it will take time, energy, money, annoy neighbors, and is old hat by this point?

But I have a ton of lights and they are just... on. 

[iacas]

17 minutes ago, CarlSpackler said:

But I have a ton of lights and they are just... on. 

Hey, I've done things that others don't agree with (or without much common sense). Go for it, man!

I get the appeal of making that box, too, just because it would be fun to do that. If it were me, once I did that and ran it through once or twice, I'd be on to the next project.

[CarlSpackler]

44 minutes ago, iacas said:

Hey, I've done things that others don't agree with (or without much common sense). Go for it, man!

I get the appeal of making that box, too, just because it would be fun to do that. If it were me, once I did that and ran it through once or twice, I'd be on to the next project.

Yep. That's pretty much it. I've been wanting to do an automation project with an arduino or Pi. I wouldn't expect a lot out of year 1. This is something that you build on to each year. 

[iacas]

7 hours ago, CarlSpackler said:

Yep. That's pretty much it. I've been wanting to do an automation project with an arduino or Pi. I wouldn't expect a lot out of year 1. This is something that you build on to each year. 

Yeah that's the fun part.

Use this thread to document your progress.

[70sSanO]

Before you start your documentation, a sidebar on Christmas lights...

I used to put a lot of lights on the house when the kids were small; nowhere near the level of the Griswalds.

Over the years that number would decrease.  It got to the point where I would get our then teenage sons to put up the lights.

At first they would try to make designs, even did the Quicksilver logo one year.  But the best display was when they got lazy and just tossed the lights across the roof. People would stand on the sidewalk and try and figure out what it was.  It was hilarious.

John

[CarlSpackler]

So far, I have about half of the lights out. This is a new house, so I have to come up with a new design, and there are a lot more shrubs and trees that I can work with. Time to go back to the store for more. =)

[RussUK]

Guys, can i just point something out?......its still November 

[CarlSpackler]

24 minutes ago, RussUK said:

Guys, can i just point something out?......its still November 

And your point is? 

[RussUK]

1 hour ago, CarlSpackler said:

And your point is? 

Lol, to be fair the supermarkets over here started stocking the christmas stuff as soon as Halloween had finished!

[Yukari]

I hate putting up the decorations, but I don like watching good ones on display.

Let others do the work.

[iacas]

7 hours ago, RussUK said:

Guys, can i just point something out?......its still November 

The weekend after Thanksgiving is traditionally when a lot of people will put up their Christmas tree.

[boogielicious]

19 hours ago, RussUK said:

Lol, to be fair the supermarkets over here started stocking the christmas stuff as soon as Halloween had finished!

Last time I was in the UK (last year), the malls at the Oracle In Reading had their Christmas stuff out. It was the second week of November!

[CarlSpackler]

Back to the store for more lights...