Should You Label or Not Label During Christmas Light Takedown?

Should You Label or Not Label During Christmas Light Takedown?

As the holiday season comes to a close, Christmas light installers face one of the most critical tasks of the year: takedown. A big question arises—should you label the strands and materials as you go, or skip labeling entirely and focus on efficient sorting?

While labeling helps with organization and can save time for recurring designs, many large companies skip it altogether, focusing instead on bulk-sorting materials like bulbs, socket wire, and accessories. Let’s explore the pros and cons of labeling versus bulk sorting to help you decide what works best for your business.

Labeling During Takedown: Ideal for Small Companies

For smaller businesses, labeling during takedown can be a game-changer for staying organized. This method ensures you’re prepared to re-create client designs next year without added confusion.

Popular Labeling Methods:

• Manila Tags: Write the client’s name, the location of the strand (e.g., roofline, tree wrap), and any other notes. Attach these with twine or zip ties.
• Colored Zip Ties: Assign specific colors to different areas of the property, like red for rooflines and green for tree wraps.
• Photo Documentation: Apps like CompanyCam let you photograph installations, save notes, and attach them to client profiles for digital reference.

Pros of Labeling:

1. Keeps everything clearly organized for returning clients who want the same design.
2. Saves time when packing and storing lights.
3. Helps train employees by providing clear, documented layouts.

Cons of Labeling:

• Requires extra time during takedown.
• May not be necessary if clients often change their designs season to season.

Bulk Sorting: Efficient for Large Companies

For large-scale operations, speed and efficiency are often the top priorities. Instead of labeling, many companies focus on bulk sorting materials during takedown.

Common Bulk Sorting Methods:

• Bundle by Bulb Color: Create 25-50 bulb bundles of C9 or C7 bulbs and separate by color, ensuring they’re easy to access for future use.
• Separate by Material Type: Sort socket wire, bulbs, mini lights, and accessories (e.g., male plugs, female plugs, and clips) into distinct bins.
• Use Color-Coded Storage: Assign specific storage bins or containers to different types of materials for quick inventory management.

Pros of Bulk Sorting:

1. Speeds up takedown, allowing crews to complete jobs faster.
2. Simplifies inventory tracking and redistributing materials across teams.
3. Works well for clients who frequently change their lighting designs.

Cons of Bulk Sorting:

• Requires more detailed inventory management later.
• May cause delays if a client requests the same design next year.

What About Client Preferences?

Most clients don’t care how their lights are stored because they don’t own the materials—they care about the finished design. Some prefer to keep their lighting layout consistent year after year, while others enjoy refreshing their look with something new each season.

For Recurring Designs: Labeling is helpful, as it reduces the effort of replicating the same setup.
For Seasonal Changes: Bulk sorting is ideal, as it allows you to start fresh without being tied to labeled strands.

Our Expert Advice

• Small Companies: Label strands during takedown if your clients tend to stick with the same designs year after year. Pair physical labeling with photo documentation apps like CompanyCam for maximum efficiency.
• Large Companies: Focus on bulk sorting. Bundle socket wire with bulbs (grouped by color if possible) and organize accessories into separate bins. This method keeps things efficient while accommodating a high volume of clients.

By choosing the right approach for your business size and workflow, you can streamline the takedown process, reduce stress, and set yourself up for a smooth start to the next season.