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Book your holiday lights before the dates fill up
Whether you're ridiculously busy on the weekends like us (we're professional parental chauffeurs, running from one kid's game to the next) or you just don't love the feeling of cold, cracked hands, we've got a team for you.
Here's what most of us learn the hard way: holiday lighting companies book up early, and their install dates fill in order. By the time the first cold snap hits, the good dates are gone. If you want your lights up before Thanksgiving, mid-October is when to make the call.
And stick around further down in this issue to check out our sponsor, Angelino's Coffee.
Featured Pro: HellDonis Lighting
Photo courtesy of HellDonis Lighting
Zack Hellwinkle and Trey Medonis grew up together right here in Connecticut. As college seniors, they figured out the desk job wasn't for them, so they took the risk and started HellDonis Lighting.
They handle the whole job: custom design, installation, takedown after the holidays, and storage through the offseason. The lights are included, so there is nothing to buy, untangle, or carry up a ladder.
They light up homes and businesses across Fairfield County and Litchfield County, including Fairfield, and they take their time with every customer.
Photo courtesy of HellDonis Lighting
Install dates are confirmed once a deposit is received, so booking early is the surest way to get the date you want.
I Almost Threw Out My Keurig. It Wasn't Broken.
Every cup from my Keurig started tasting weak, flat, stale — so I unplugged it and stuck it in a closet. Then I learned the dirty secret of grocery store K-Cups: by the time a pod reaches your kitchen, it's usually spent months going from factory to warehouse to truck to shelf. The flavor oils are long gone. Some brands even over-roast to hide it.
The fix wasn't a new machine. It was fresh pods from Angelino's, a family-owned L.A. roastery that roasts, packs, and ships within 3–5 days — straight to your door, from 39¢ a cup. Over 1,000,000 happy customers. 50+ flavors, no subscription required, and 15% off your first order, applied automatically at checkout.
Doing it yourself? A 5-minute safety check before you plug in
Check every strand. Look for cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, and loose connections. Toss anything damaged.
Outdoor lights only, outdoors. Look for a testing lab label like UL or ETL, and use indoor lights inside.
Plug into a GFCI outlet. If your outdoor outlet isn't GFCI protected, a portable outdoor GFCI works.
Don't overload. No more than three standard strands per extension cord.
Fasten them down. Secure lights to the house or trees so the wind can't pull them loose.
Safety tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Electrical Safety Foundation.
Need somebody else?
Every contractor in our directory now has a red Request button. Tell them what you need and when, and your request goes straight to them.
Contractors: first three months are free, no card required. fairfieldtownandtrade.com/get-listed
See you next week.
Fairfield Town and Trade is proudly owned and operated by a disabled veteran.
