I have always said Christmas is the time of year when Santa comes down the chimney and the NEC rules go out the window.
Why do we need in use covers on every wet location receptacle but the 1-15 on the end of a string of lights can just lay in the snow? How many U/L stickers do you believe on those $1.99 100 light strings? (if the even bother)
Running cords out windows from non-GFCI receptacles is very common.
