How to Put Lights on a Christmas Tree

Lighting your Christmas tree does not need to be a dreaded chore of the holiday season. With the right preparation and by following a plan when buying, installing, and storing your lights, you will be able to enjoy lighting the tree as a fun, festive activity for you and your family. To help you with this we've layed out the following steps for how to put lights on a Christmas tree.

Getting Ready

Before you start lighting your Christmas tree, there are some things you obviously need, and a few points to consider for both safety and beauty throughout the season:

Watch for fire and safety hazards.

If you have an artificial tree, just about any indoor tree lights may be used. A real tree requires more caution, as it quickly becomes a bigger fire hazard as the holiday season progresses due to drying of the tree branches, bark, and needles. There is also generally water in a bowl, bucket, or other container at the base of your live tree to keep it hydrated. Water and electricity obviously do not mix, so remember to be careful and ensure the two will not come into contact with each other. For a fresh tree, use low heat lights.

Determine what color of lights to use.

When buying lights, consider the color options: White lights are more traditional are reminiscent of ice, snow, or moonlight sparkling on snowy tree boughs. Colored lights are festive and may be used in strands of one solid color or strands with multiple colors throughout. White and colored lights may also be mixed together, such as with white lights deep inside the tree boughs and colored lights on the outer edges of the tree. Have fun when selecting your tree light colors and even consider going with a non-traditional choice to suit your own personal taste versus “what has always been done.”

Decide between blinking or non-blinking lights.

Christmas lights either blink, do not blink, or blink in a myriad of rhythms selected by a dial or remote controller. Some people suffer migraines from blinking lights, so consider whether that will be an issue for you. If you like to get very creative, opt for the light strands which allow many blinking sequences, or put non-blinking strands inside the tree toward the trunk and blinking on the outer ends of the boughs.

Buy enough lights.

For subdued lighting, you will need about 12 boxes of 50-light strands for a 6-foot tree and 20 boxes for an 8-foot tree. For moderate lighting, use 20 boxes of 50-light strands for a 6-foot tree and 30 boxes for an 8-foot tree. Showcase lighting will require about 40 boxes of 50-light strands for a 6-foot tree and 80 boxes for an 8-foot tree.

Position the tree near outlets.

How to Put Lights on a Christmas TreeThe holiday season can seem quite lengthy if you are tripping over the tree light cords every single day. Position your tree as close to an outlet as possible. Also buy a surge protector strip or a specialized Christmas tree light extension cord. A tree light extension cord looks much like a regular extension cord, but it is dark green for camouflage and is composed of many positions on which to connect tree light strands for safe use.

Organize the lights.

Before you light the tree and when you remove the lights at the end of the season, separate the strands and check for missing bulbs, broken lights, or non-working strands. Do not use malfunctioning strands. It is particularly helpful to coil the light strands into a ring shape for easy tree lighting and organized storage, as you will not be fighting against the cords and entanglements.

Plug the lights in before hanging.

By plugging the lights in before installing them onto the tree, you will be better able to see where they are being placed and how they strands should be spaced. Ensure no more than two strands are connected to each other at any point.

Lighting the Tree

For an artificial tree, follow these simple steps:

  1. Place the tree pole into the stand far enough from surrounding walls or furnishings that you will be able to walk around the tree while installing the lights. You can gently push the tree into its final position after it is decorated.
  2. Install the lowest branches first. After connecting the first row or two of branches around the bottom, start winding lights around this section.
  3. Attach another row or two of branches around the tree pole and repeat the light winding upward. As needed, plug the second strand into the first one or into a Christmas tree extension cord.
  4. Continue this pattern upward until all of the branches are installed and lit.
  5. If desired, add final strands on the outer edges of the tree branches to add greater impact and heavier lighting.
  6. Turn out all room lighting and light the tree to check for dark or empty spots that require light strand adjustment.
  7. Add ornaments, tree topper, and other decorations as desired.
  8. Push the tree back against the wall or into its final position. Place a tree skirt around the bottom if desired, arrange gifts, and enjoy your beautiful tribute to the season!

For a fresh cut Christmas tree, follow these steps:

  1. Starting at the top of the tree, attach a light strand end at the highest point with a twist tie.
  2. Wind light strands downward while distributing the lights as evenly as possible.
  3. If desired, add final strands on the outer edges of branches to add impact.
  4. Turn out the room lighting, light the tree, and check for empty spots for final strand adjustment.
  5. Add ornaments and decorations. Place the tree topper.
  6. Push the tree back into its final position while being very careful to not spill or splash the trunk water from the tree stand pan.
  7. Place a tree skirt around the base and arrange gifts. Enjoy!

When lighting your Christmas tree, remember to employ common sense, caution, and patience. Be creative and make the annual activity as fun as possible. Finally, remember that the best way to get a head start on easy lighting of next year's Christmas tree is to organize and store your lights properly when this season ends. Happy Holidays!

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