Christmas Lights the Easy Way

This article was published in the Naperville Sun Times about our company! To learn more, please visit our home page at: http://www.mychristmascreation.com/

Christmas lights the easy way

December 4, 2008
Publication: Sun, The: Downers Grove (IL)
Section: AROUND TOWN
Page: 14

By: David Sharos Special to The Sun

For most of us, the holiday season that will soon be upon us is filled with anticipation as we renew old traditions that include trimming trees, baking cookies, wrapping presents, and making memories with family and friends.

But some of those traditions are not as joyous - like decorating the house with those temperamental Christmas lights - the ones that don't light half way down the line or the others that worked in the garage before you hung them up but won't now.


Christmas Creations Inc., a professional Christmas lighting and installation business based in Griffith, Ind., would like to relieve you of that holiday stress. Owner James Shepherd said his work crews are expanding their business services this year to Downers Grove and the Chicago area.

"We started out as a mowing company, and I was looking for a way to keep my employees busy during the winter and add to the income of the company," Shepherd said. "We looked around on the Internet to see how many of these services were available and thought this was something we should start up."

The service was launched on a part-time basis a year ago, and Shepherd said his company is ready to go full tilt. The goal is to do 300 houses this year, using as many as a dozen three- to four-man crews during the peak of the season.

Those crews will receive training via a couple of DVDs Shepherd said he has secured from another company who has produced videos that explain a number of the electrical issues related to outdoor lighting, from length of light runs to proper types of cords. Shepherd said he also plans to personally work with crews during their first two installs.

"Our plan is to be a full-service company that will provide everything - the lights, the installation, the take down, and the storage after the season," Shepherd said. "The cost of the service will be higher the first year since people have to buy the decorations, but after that, it should drop by 40 percent or more the next year after that."

Christmas Creations offers two basic packages, including the more common roof line and shrubbery decorations as well as the more elaborate packages for those who might be hosting large Christmas extravaganzas.

"There are people who will spend thousands of dollars on elaborate parties with tons of food and catering and could spend anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 on an event," Shepherd said. "These are the customers who really want to showcase their house."

The company is looking to move into western suburbs, thanks to its demographic and new construction. Shepherd said his target market would be homes costing $500,000 and more.

"We'll work with anyone, of course, but we've found that it's usually people who own the higher-priced homes who are looking for this type of service," he said.

Those ordering the service should expect a five- to seven-day lead time before decorating is complete, but only about two days after Thanksgiving, when extra crews will begin reporting for work.

Shepherd said he believes customers won't miss fighting with equipment issues or battling the elements.

"Many people don't have the ladders or gear that protects their gutters, and this job can be tough when the weather really gets cold," he said. "When you're talking about a major job, it can often involve more time than people have at this time of year. Not everyone wants a 'Christmas Vacation' job like Chevy Chase did in the movie, but our motto is we'll give the customer what he wants."