There are at least two things you can count on happening every holiday season: Mariah Carey being No. 1 on the charts again and learning a few new swear words as you struggle to put up decorations.
Whether it's lights, wreaths, garlands or stockings, everything has to be hung. The problem is, it all has to be hung on different surfaces, such as walls, bricks and gutters. Each surface presents a different challenge, so there is no one-method-fits-all solution.
Luckily, Beth Allen, BestReviews home improvement expert and founder of HIP Chicks (Home Improvement Project Chicks), knows how to get things hung. She's compiled a list of products that you can buy to help solve your decorating challenges.
In this article: Command Small Decorating Clips, Beheno Q-Hanger (20-Pack) and OOK French Cleat.
It's easy to categorize holiday prep as one large, generic chore. However, in reality, it's many small tasks that each require a unique set of hardware. Hanging a picture, for instance, is much different than hanging a Christmas ornament. Likewise, stringing lights indoors requires different hooks and fasteners than hanging them from the gutter outside. To securely hang each item, you need the proper hook, hanger or fastener.
"I am a huge fan of Command hooks," Allen said. "But you have to make sure you do it right. You have to absolutely follow the weight limit and make sure after you mount the sticky part to the wall that you let it sit for 24 hours. A lot of people try to put weight on it right away. If you do that, the Command hook will fall off because you need to let it set for 24 hours."
Allen also reminds that you have to be really conscientious about following the directions for removal so the adhesive doesn’t mar the paint.
Lastly, she points out that 3M offers a vast selection of hooks. You can get them in clear, white, silver, oil-rubbed bronze and more, so you can color-coordinate them with your decor or whatever it is you're hanging.
Command Small Decorating Clips
This package contains 40 clear decorating clips along with 48 strips. No tools are required to install these clips, and they can support 40 to 80 feet of lights.
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Command Small Wire Toggle Hooks
Each of the 10 wall hooks in this package can support up to a half-pound. They're ideal for hanging decorations on nearly any smooth surface, and they remove cleanly without damage.
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If you need to decorate outdoors, these Command hooks are good at temperatures ranging from 20 to 125 degrees. Each one supports up to 3 pounds.
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If you have a tree, you need ornament hooks. These items come in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can pick the type that's best suited for your needs.
Regent Green Holiday Ornament Hooks
This pack of 300 green ornament hooks comes with 100 large hooks (2.5 inches) and 200 small hooks (1.25 inches).
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According to Allen, a Q-hanger is great for outdoor uses. "It's a threaded tool that allows you to get your Christmas lights up outside. With a Q-hanger, your lights can't roll off like they might with a regular hanger because they either have a twist to them or they have a buckle to hold the light string in place."
These rugged Q-hangers are made of steel and have a rustproof coating. Each one holds up to 40 pounds and has a windproof/squirrel-proof buckle design.
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Monkey hooks are the fastest and easiest way to hang something on drywall: Just push and twist, and you're ready to go. They come in different sizes and have different weight capacities, so you must choose the right size for your needs. The only downside is they leave a hole in your wall when you remove them.
OOK Monkey Hook/Gorilla Hook Combo Pack
This versatile set of hangers comes with 15 standard hooks (35-pound capacity) and 15 heavy-duty hooks (50-pound capacity).
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If you want to get serious about hanging items, Allen suggests using a French cleat. These heavy-duty hangers are good for mirrors and wall art. They're a two-part product: One piece attaches to the wall, while the other attaches to the item being hung. Allen prefers this method of hanging because it's sturdy and snug against the wall.
This model can support up to 60 pounds. It has an aluminum finish and a built-in level to help ensure professional-looking results. All mounting hardware is included with purchase.
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If you decide to use a wreath hanger, Allen notes it's important to know which type you need. Some models are thick, some are thin and some are made for storm doors. According to Allen, it's also essential to check how your door closes because you need a little gap at the top for clearance.
Haute Decor Adjustable Wreath Hanger
An adjustable wreath hanger lets you determine and set how far down the door you want your wreath to hang. This model has a slide mechanism that can extend from 16.5 inches to 25 inches.
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Northlight Artificial Deer Christmas Wreath Hanger
This ornate wreath hanger features a deer with antlers. It has a large hook for easy hanging.
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The clever design of this wreath hanger lets you put a wreath on the inside and outside of a door using only one hook.
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Stocking holders are hangers you place on the mantel. They come in a variety of designs. If you have pets or little ones, these items might not be the best option because they can be pulled down and become a plummeting weight. However, if your home is pet- and child-free, these items can be a wonderful option.
Haute Decor Scroll-Shaped Stocking Holder
This scroll-shaped stocking holder is designed to fit nearly any mantel. It has a gripper pad that keeps the stocking holder in place while protecting your mantel from scratches.
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When combined, the three individual handcrafted, light-up stocking holders in this set spell out "JOY." Each letter holds a single stocking, so they can be spread apart if needed.
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Fishing wire may sound like a strange suggestion, but Allen notes the invisible quality means it's good for adding a little Christmas magic. "You can make it look like mistletoe is floating in the air beneath a chandelier," she said.
This self-tying wire wraps around itself and is undetectable to the eye. It has a 50-pound weight capacity so you can hang all sorts of decorations.
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"I love using Velcro straps," Allen gushed. "If you want to run garland up the stairs, Velcro cable ties are perfect. They're good for wrapping around anything you don't want to scratch."
Velcro Brand One-Wrap Cable Ties
This pack of 100 Velcro ties lets you easily secure cables, wires and decorations to chairs, railings and other objects. They are precut and can be used inside or outside, depending on your hanging needs.
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If you want to run a string of lights across your gutter, the easiest way to do that is with gutter clips. These convenient hangers clip securely onto your gutter, and different models have different ends. Some just give you a place to string the wire, while others clip onto the individual light bulbs.
Sewanta All-Purpose Holiday Light Clips
This bestselling offering comes with 400 clips that are designed to be used with nearly any type of light. You can install these clips so your bulbs are facing either up or down, and they're effective in wind gusts up to 60 mph.
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It can be tough to hang decorations from a brick surface. However, Allen informs that there are items specifically made to do just that. These convenient hangers simply clip over the brick and attach firmly using a spring mechanism so they don't damage the brick.
These clips can be used on either an indoor or outdoor surface. They're easy to install and ideal for hanging stockings, art decorations and more.
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For many, vinyl siding can pose similar hanging problems to brick surfaces. Allen points out there are hooks specifically designed for hanging decorations from vinyl siding. Once you realize these exist, you're free to decorate the outside of your home as you wish.
These hooks require no drilling or screws. They simply roll into any seam in your vinyl siding and are ready to go. Each hook can support up to 12 pounds.
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Allen Foster writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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