An essential part of decorating for Christmas is decorating the tree, right? And the first part of decorating is how to put lights on a Christmas tree.
So many trees come pre-lit, but I prefer to put my own lights on a tree. That way when you put your tree up and a light strand doesn’t work, it’s not that big of a deal. You just run down to Target and buy a new strand or two. I actually just own a bazillion twinkle lights because I like to put them all over the place!
Side note: don’t mind my half-done tree stand. I made my own crate tree stand (tutorial here) years ago, but I add burlap and drop cloth in it so you can’t see the actual stand. I forgot before I took this picture. Oops!
I thought I would take a minute to share how I get my Christmas tree to glow without looking like it’s a big old ball of lights. I wasn’t going to share it because I feel like everyone knows this already. But I am always learning new, simple tricks from people, so I’m sure there’s someone out there who will benefit from this.
And if you know this already, then please don’t point and laugh at my “duh” moment. 😉 OK?
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This tip is really simple, but it makes you use way more lights than you think you’ll need. So, just get extra twinkle lights, OK? The rule of thumb is 100 lights per 1 foot, so if you have a 9 foot tree like me, you’ll need 900 lights.
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OK, and here’s a little tip about that. Don’t string 18 – 50 light strands together. It’s just too much. I will string maybe 3-4 strands together and then run them down the back of the tree to my power cord. I’ve tried to put too many strands together and it’ll just blow one of them and cause all kinds of headaches.
OK here’s my big tip. Are you ready??
What I do is I weave the lights up and down each side of the branch.
Voila! It’s so simple, and yet I know people who don’t know this. Just trying to do my public service duty for the week, ok?
It’s kind of hard to make out in that picture, so I drew a little line with arrows showing how I do it…
You go up one side and down the other, just like you’re lining the outside of each branch. Yes, it may seem like overkill, but when your tree literally sparkles and glows from the lights, you will love it!
The lights aren’t nearly as noticeable, either! Especially if you are used to just wrapping the tree like a mummy. Then all you see are the lights and not the pretty branches! This way the tree literally glows from the inside.
My mom and I started weaving the lights in and out on the tree when I was in high school. Before that we did the mummy look, but then we realized that it was much prettier when we lined each and every branch.
Isn’t it so pretty?
I hope this helps your tree to glow beautifully this year!
Did you know this tip already? Or is your mind blown?
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Susan Murphree
I want to try putting lights on my Tree the way you do – do you have any videos showing this? ( maybe on Youtube ? )
Paige Jirsa
Interesting method!! Will have to give it an attempt next year!
Ellen
OK… I’m 64 years old so I’ve decorated a few trees over the years and I did NOT know this. I’ve been winding the lights around the tree for years and now I’m thinking how could I not have heard of this before! Thanks for updating an ol’ gal! 😉
Christi
We do similar but colored lights more in the center and white lights on the out side, it adds some dimension to it!
LavaidaVandelia
I totally do not understand either the written directions or the photo. I LOVE the way the tree looks and WANT to understand how to do it.
Could you possibly attempt an additional explanation here in the comments section?
Thank you!
Laura
Hi Lavaida, You basically just wrap each whole branch in lights in order to get the maximum shine! 🙂
Susan
Years ago I was the manager of the Trim-a-Home department in Macys. It was my first job as a manager, I was 22 and a total novice. They sent in a team of professional Christmas tree decorators- yes there was such a thing! They taught me how to light a tree this way and I’ve never done it any other way since. It brings light and depth to the tree, the wires don’t interfere with hanging ornaments, and the results will always look great. They also taught me to hang ornaments into the branches as well so it doesn’t look like someone just sprinkled everything on the edges.
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do you start from the bottom up or from the top down?
Victoria
Years ago, I remember watching Martha Stewart decorate her tree this way. That was the first time I saw anyone do it this way
Andrea
I’ve never heard of putting on lights like that. My parents always wrapped the tree with one strand of lights. Haha. I will try this method this year! Thanks for sharing!
Sallie
Can you do this method on a real tree? They’ve usually got more branches and the branches aren’t standard sizes?
Laura
Hey Sallie! You may have already tried it by now, but I think it would work similarly. It might be harder to get them completely even, but I think you could try to just run them in and out of the tree instead of just around the outside. 🙂
Susan Bouler
I have always run my lights that way and it does give it a special glow! Just takes a little longer to do it but worth it when you flip the lights on! Love your blog!!
Kathleen Kutz
Hi, the hardest thing re interior decor is getting started. Too many other things to do!
Elizabeth
I had never heard this way of putting the lights on – so glad you shared! We always wrapped the lights around and around, like a mummy. I’m going to try your way this year. THanks so much!
Laura
Yay! I’m so glad I shared it, then. 🙂 Happy decorating!
Terri Kannon
Where did you get the cute wagon pillow next to your tree. It is adorable!
Laura
Hi Terri, I meant to put a link in there, because I knew someone would ask. 😉 Here you go! (affiliate link)
https://society6.com/product/christmas-wagon_pillow?curator=theturquoisehome