With Christmas fast approaching, households are going to have to face the daunting task of untangling the lights for the tree.
More and more festive themed ads are coming out each day and Coca-Cola have even hinted that their iconic Christmas truck tour could be making a return.
While excitement is building up, there are a few snags that many experience during the holidays.
On top of the cold weather and mobbed shops, many dread the chore of setting up the Christmas tree due to the tangled ball of lights.
Thankfully, the experts at Festive Lights have shared some simple yet effective untangling hacks with the Scottish Daily Express.
Keep the lights in a straight line and start with the plug
To make sure that you don't end up tangling your lights even more in an effort to untangle them, the experts suggest a simple organisation trick.
They recommend starting with the plug as it's harder to lose amid the wires, and laying the lights in a straight line.
You can keep your lights organised by keeping an eye on your start-point, and can work your way slowly through the tangles.
Use tools to help break the knots
Stubborn knots can be a nightmare, but they are often no match for the right tool.
The experts say that a pencil or small screwdriver can be used to loosen the knots and break out the entanglements quickly.
Set the mood
Invite a friend over and pop on some Christmas music, the experts say that your frame of mind can impact how you feel when untangling.
If you treat it like a game or challenge instead of a chore, it may feel like less of a burden.
The experts say that having someone on hand to hold the untangled lights while you remove the other knots can make for a much smoother experience.
Think ahead for the next year
The best way to deal with tangled Christmas lights is to make sure that they don't get tangled in the first place.
The end of Christmas means you’ll have to return your lights to storage. There are plenty of methods you can follow, such as wrapping the lights around a piece of cardboard or a hanger.
You can even keep them on the tree if you have an artificial tree.
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