More fixed Christmas stuff

In January, before I finished putting everything away, I tried to fix a bunch of broken decorations. I'm not electrically inclined, but I figured these things couldn't be that complex. They are.

Here was my journey earlier this year (in January).

Here's the marrionette. He needed a new string to hold up his poor head.


Here's the broken snowman


Here's the motor of the broken snowman


Here's the working snowman

How to Fix Broken Christmas Decorations

The manufacturers said I need to try replacing the AC adapters. The only problem is that the AC adapters are soooo specific to each product that you cannot find them at any local stores.

For example, the Reindeer Corral below requires a 4.5 Volt adapter. No problem. But it has to be 930 miliamps. I don't quite understand the whole miliamp thing, but I do know that if I don't get the correct miliamp adapter, I run the risk of burning up the motor. Nice, huh? I have about six of these type of items. Oh, and these are not the cheapy one-season use type items. They should last several years. Oh well. I guess I'm off to buy new AC adapters.

So, I guess I'm a bit more frustrated than I might normally be because I sent a very pleasant email to the largest manufacturer of these type of decorations. I asked them what I should do about a few items which have stopped working (ie the motor burned out and the motor compartment is sonically welded shut). Keep in mind, we take very good care of our Christmas stuff. Here's the response:

Dear Danielle,

Thank you for your interest in the __ Collection. The scenario regarding your ___ items is very unfortunate. Unfortunately, there is no implied warranty on novelty items. Generally speaking, products cannot be fixed. ___ products are manufactured in China and there is no one in the USA that has the expertise to fix the products. ___ company policy regarding unsatisfactory merchandise is to have that merchandise returned to the place of purchase for a refund or exchange. In cases where retailers cannot accommodate the consumer, ___ attempts to assist as much as possible. If the item cannot be returned to the place of purchase for a refund of exchange, we would suggest you send the defective items back to ___ for replacement. ___ does not sell on a retail basis and as a result we do not stock merchandise.

Any replacement is based on the availability of the item. ___ must receive the defective item back. Shipping costs both ways and successful delivery of the defective item to __ is the responsibility of the consumer. The return replacement process may take 90-110 days from the date the item is received at __. Finally, there is a required check or money order for shipping and handling in the amount of $10.00 if the item was purchased over a year ago, was a display item or there is more than one item being returned. If you are interested in the return process, please contact ___.

Sincerely,
Customer Service Team

Bummer Alert: Half Christmas Trees

I had planned on removing half of the branches on a few prelit fake Christmas trees so that I could make them "half trees" or flatback trees. I'd put them against a wall (or even a quarter tree in a corner) and be able to put up twice as many because I'm saving space.

The problem: I didn't about the fact that the lights are pre-stranded around the branches. So, taking out half the branches would require cutting the light strands...because I'm not spending 5 hours taking off the lights. I just measured a tree that would fit nicely in the dining room corner. Then I began setting it up only to realize this fatal oversight.

I think I'll still be ok with the smaller trees because the branches are bendy, not rigid and riveted to the main post like the tall ones. I know you can buy these flat back trees, but I'm not into spending the extra money when I have two dozen trees already. I looked up "DIY flatback" and "DIY half" trees, but no results. Once I figure out this solution, I'll put it on the web. I thought everything you ever wanted to know is already on the web. Hmmmm.

More Ideas for the Interior Display

So, this past summer, I took a road trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains. I stopped at a little Christmas store and saw so many of the most wonderful partial themed trees. I'm doing about a dozen partial themed trees this year because I was so inspired by them.

Here are a few photos from this weekend. I went to the Christmas Store in Universal Studios Island of Adventure and saw some of their themed partial trees.

I don't ahve a blue tree and I don't like Bart Simpson, but this tree was stunning.


So, here's my list of themed trees for the 2008 display. I've already got all the trees and ornaments from years' passed.

1. Ladybug tree
2. Wizard of Oz tree
3. Gingerbread tree (maybe)
4. FL Gator tree (new to 2007 display. see below.)
5. Old fashioned aluminum tree (2x)
6. USA tree (new to the 2006 dispaly. see below.)
7. Jewel-tone tree (new to the 2007 display)
8. Disney tree (maybe)
9. Dr. Seuss
10. Kids book tree (don't know if I have enough stuff to do this one)
11. Tropical tree (flamingos, sand, shells, etc.)
    
    

    above: 2007 Copeland Christmas Display

    
    

    From 2007 11 Christmas Set up

    
    
    above: 2007 Copeland Christmas Display
    

Revised 2008 Display Mock-up

So, I forgot a few things on my last mock-up for the 2008 Christmas display. I forgot the 16 roof stripes and the manger...oops.

Now that roof stripes (which hopefully mimic piano keys) and manger have been added, I decided to play with a couple variations on other elements. the photo below is I think what represents the best alternative. Things I played around with include the palm tree bands, the color of the two clusters of small palm trees, and lighting around the front door entry-way.

Last year, the front door entry-way was pretty dark. To be overly dramatic...it looked like a black hole in the middle of an explosion of lights (!). so, this year, I'd like to somehow light the doorway while NOT inhibiting guests who tour the inside of the house. I might have to outline only three sides of the door...and not do the bottom because I'm fearful people will step on the bulbs all season long. Also, to do the small moon-shaped window at the top of the door, I guess I'll use black electrical tape to cover a few of the bulbs that lead down to the window. It shouldn't be that noticeable. I'm going to try to find blue lights with white wire (because the door is painted white). Walmart sells out of the white wire strands quickly, but I have extras from last year.

I still don't know how to wrap lights around the new shutters. I REALLY don't want to put nails in them, but I don't know any other way. Everything else I can think of will hurt the shutters. Last year, we had different shutters, but here's what we did.

2008 mockup

I worked on a mock-up of the 2008 animated display today. I only sepnt an hour on it, but I think it's shaping up.

I'm thinking we can do both the shutters and the window outlines this year. It seems we will have enough power. The question is "will I have enough time to program all those items." The large palms will be a challenge.

Must Maintain Order

I've been working all day on the excel spreadsheet for the '08 display, and I'm beginning to go a little crazy. Here's how it works and what the problems are...

We have 6 of these big gray power boxes installed in our house that we use only for Christmas lights. These gray power boxes (GPB) are simply large power strips that have little computers in them. Simple stuff.

Now, the way we make the lights blink to the music is by plugging the GPBs into a computer. Then, we use powerful software to control the lights and the music. We also use software to transmit our music over a local unused radio frequency (87.9FM). We spend our summers programming all the blinks to music we like. Simple stuff.

So, back to the excel spreadsheet. We use the spreadsheet during planning and set-up; right now, it's September and we're in the planning stage. We make a spreadsheet because we need to calculate how many amps will be running through each zone of the display at any given time during the show. Here's where my headache begins.

Given the sketch of how we want this year's display to look, I need to

• calculate how many strings of lights are needed
• calculate how many feet of extension cord is needed
• map out where the strings will lay in the yard so that they can all be plugged into one of the 6 boxes
• make sure that the lights are distributed evenly among the 6 power boxes
• calculate how much power the 6 boxes require to run all the lights

The only thing that's preventing a total meltdown is the fact that I can manipulate Excel really well. I feel better now. ;)

The National Christmas Tree

I'm in Washington DC this week getting ready to take a road trip down to Pensacola. It was H-O-T today. Those public water fountains that I usually steer clear of...were pretty refreshing today.

Got A New Christmas Annalee!

Jim and Cathy got us a new Christmas Annalee last month!

It's a set of gingerbread bakers on a baking sheet. These guys will be a great addition to the gingerbread scene that I think might be moved to the kitchen this year.
Photo: 2007 gingerbread portion of garage display

Bittersweet News: More lights for 2008

So, it's actually great news...we just got two additional controllers for the 08 season.

2007 season (above): 64 channels on 4 controllers

This year, we'll have 96 channels, which means I have to redo all the musical sequences which I programmed for 64 channels. Since each song took forever to program, I am hoping to begin this year's sequencing this month. I'm also hoping it goes a bit faster this year thanks to software upgrades and a year's worth of experience under my belt.

Oh yeah...John's not getting out of programming this year either. And my brother Joey, the Lead Engineering Elf (as his t-shirt says) will be doing his programming from the South Pole in Antartica. The good news is that he'll be able to provide real-time updates from the South Pole on Christmas morning.