Hi from Louisiana

I am new to the hobby plans for this year include a mega tree, 5 to 6 arches candy, 12 canes and ice cycles

Welcome Greg, that's a good start you have there, and you have certainly joined early enough to accomplish everything ;-) check out the ACL 101 manual for a quick guide to getting started....good luck

https://auschristmaslighting.com/threads/auschristmaslighting-101-manual.1889/