When the winter sun begins to set, your holiday decorations begin to shine. Outdoor lighting not only allows you and passersby to enjoy your holiday creations well past 5:00 p.m., but the right lighting can draw eyes to interesting elements in your displays that may be overlooked in the broad light of day. Lighting can also create varying levels of holiday spirit through strategic combinations of lighting styles, colors, volume and placement.

"Lighting is a great way to call attention to a beautiful evergreen, unique plantings or a specific part of the property," says Gail Tunis, Garden Designer at Borst. "Lights can also  be used to spotlight displays, be woven through props as enhancers, or stand on their own as a main attraction."

Borst's holiday decorating services extend to commercial and residential properties' trees, specialty plants, building façades and even interior railings or mantelpieces. Gail provides tips such as these for do-it-yourself decorators:  

• Because most fresh greenery lasts 4-5 weeks during the cold New Jersey winters, Gail advises that you decorate in late November or early December in order to keep wreaths and garlands looking great through the December holidays and into the New Year.       

• Safety first! To reduce the risk of fire, look for ETL- or UL-inspected lights labeled specifically for outdoor use. Check each bulb for cracks or broken sockets and all wires for fraying or loose electrical connections prior to installation. Replace any faulty equipment. (Note: Many people are also switching to LED lights, which use less energy and last longer than standard string lights, making up for any higher initial cost).   

• Tiny, classic, clear lights are still the most popular choice, but accenting a tree or display with a color such as red, green or blue can have a gorgeous effect as well. Moderation and placement are the keys to attractive outdoor lighting.  

• Use string lights or simple spotlights to highlight specialty plants, tasteful yard displays, potted seasonal plants, topiary trees, and natural greenery.  

• Pair greenery or ribbon with outdoor lights to decorate doors, window boxes, railings and columns.  

• Carry the festive mood indoors. Interior holiday lighting and decorations that are visible from the outside (think banisters, fireplaces and window sills or panes) should complement your external décor.   

The Importance of Curb Appeal 

Check out our most recent placement on MyBergen.com.  It's a great article about the importance of Curb Appeal and offers several tips that will help you boost the aesthetic value of your home. Click here to read on.  

Clothing Drive to Benefit Our Neighbors in Need 

We recently held our annual clothing drive to benefit the patrons of the Star of Hope Thrift Shop in Paterson and recipients reached by Solid Foundation, a Midland Park skateboarding club that organizes charitable community projects in our area and makes regular visits to New York City to pass out coats, blankets and food. We had more than two full deliveries and we would like to thank our customers and the community for making these important donations.

 Oakland Eagle Scout Project     

Throughout the next few months, Eagle Scout Doug Grasser of Oakland will be working closely with our Landscape Designer, Joe Tuttle, to accomplish his Eagle Scout project. Doug's project entails replacing a very old and crumbling retaining wall at the Oakland First Aid Squad building in Oakland with a new two-tier brick retaining wall. The wall will also include a memorial garden for the son of Vivian Walker, who founded the Squad in his honor. The planning stages have begun with a CAD drawing of the property survey, which will serve as a base map for the memorial design. Stay tuned for updates of this project's progress!