Where to get more info

This is what the forums at diychristmas.org and other Christmas-lighting sites are all about. You'll want to join one or more of them so that you can interact with other DIYers, post questions, read solutions and hopefully, help others along the way as your own skills increase.

As you visit other sites, look for links or topics that are related to "Getting Started", "For Beginners" or "How do I get started?" And resist the urge to go out and just buy something "because it looks good." Learn about the hobby first, do some planning, and leave the spending of money for later. You'll be much happier (and so will your credit card balance!)

• diychristmas.org hosts this Wiki, registration is free, and there are no fees attached to using the forum in any way. The site does accept voluntary contributions to help defray operating expenses, and profits from the DIGWDF Store are all directed toward supporting the diychristmas.org forum to keep it free.

• DoItYourselfChristmas.com is another very popular and broad source of information for the animated lighting hobby.

• AusChristmasLighting is another terrific forum for some really creative users from "down under" and a great place to learn how others around the world practice this craft.