How My Show is Shaping Up This Year

[samstone11]

A lot of good people have gone out of their way to help me this year, and I want to apologize for being so dense. Despite all the genuine concern offered, I think this is closer to what our show will look like than the grand theme I had hoped for. Hopefully you will fare much better.

[MikeKrebs]

Excellent theme! Can't go wrong with Peanuts. 
:encouragement:

[Dabil]

Just keep moving forward. You'll get there. This is my first year, I am feeling pretty overwhelmed at the moment trying to put the finishing touches on my sequences, plus trying to build and power all the lighting elements. I am really thankful there are so many helpful people on here, Auschristmas lighting,  and the falcon Christmas forums.

And I can't say enough about the people who have made and given out so many excellent free sequences. Even with all that help I like you feel like I have a very modest Christmas show.

But here is a revelation I had the other day. My modest show is better than anything I ever saw as a kid. And I have very happy memories about going out to see the lights as a kid. So I am sure the kids will still love it.

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[QldKing]

My first year as well and it's definitely overwhelming. Mine is slowly coming together. One suggestion to take the pressure of is to get sequences that are already completed. A lot of people have shared sequences (like dabil) or (if budget allows) purchase them. That way you will have something for this year with a view to improving for next year and allow you to concentrate on the things you need to do. Keep on plugging away. The feeling you get when it all comes together is well worth it.


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[aknflyer]

Hang in there. My first year also. Pi's and radio working. 6 of 8 arches completed and running. Megatree at 20%. 4 songs sequenced.
I concentrated on understanding xlights first, then got 4 arches lighting so I could understand the setup.  Then finished the sequencing. A paid sequence and lots of videos help to understand how it was done.
I had to ditch the whole house plan for the year as that was too much to take on this year.
Ask for help if your stuck, lots of very helpful people on these boards.
As I told my wife and daughter "I can see why there are not a lot of these displays, it takes a while to wrap your head around everything"
Good luck

[cybi257]

This is my 3rd year. And I always buy more lights, and every time, manage to still have about 50% of them still in boxes and packaging by the time Christmas happens. lol. It's a lot of work, but well worth the outcome. I've tried to recruit a couple kids/teens that are interested in tech/computers to do some programming while I focus on the hardware. No luck. 3rd year I'll be spending Thanksgiving weekend trying to whip up some sequences.

[jnealand]

It is now Nov 12 and I have only two songs done and still have a number of strips to populate with nodes.  I just point this out as this will be my 11th year doing an animated show and I still run late.  I've been working on stuff since last Jan so it is not just newbies that run late and underestimate time frames.  Just keep going.  I often start my show with 3 or 4 songs but keep working on stuff and end up with 8 to 12.  I am not a good sequencer, but have learned to be pretty proficient at importing shared or purchased sequences to my own layout which is the only way I can get such a late start.  But I did gave a good Halloween show and and this weekend have a patriotic show running using just the lights on the house and a few props placed on my porch wall.  Too many leaves in the yard to do yard stuff yet.