• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home Decor
    • Paint Colors
    • Printables
    • Our Current House
    • Our Second House
  • DIY Projects
    • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Tools & Tips
  • Blog
    • About
      • Contact
      • Policies
  • Gift Guides
    • Shop
      • Shop My Products
      • Shop My Instagram
      • Shop My Home
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
The Turquoise Home
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Blog
  • Home Decor
  • DIY Projects
  • Paint Colors
  • Our Current House
  • Organization
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Tools & Tips / How to Put Lights on a Christmas Tree (so that it glows!)

    How to Put Lights on a Christmas Tree (so that it glows!)

    Last Updated: July 30, 2021 | Published: November 18, 2016 | By: Laura | 29 Comments | Filed Under: Christmas, Tools & Tips

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    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!

    BIG TIP! How to put lights on a Christmas tree so that it GLOWS!

    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?

    ✅ Do you still need to buy lights for your tree?? Grab some HERE! These lights are perfect and come with a 5-star rating!

    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.

    Gift Guides and Christmas Decor Shop

    Shop Gift Guides for Everyone

    & My Christmas Decor Shop

    Shop Here!

    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.

    BIG TIP! How to put lights on a Christmas tree so that it GLOWS!

    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…

    BIG TIP! How to put lights on a Christmas tree so that it GLOWS!

    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?

    BIG TIP! How to put lights on a Christmas tree so that it GLOWS!

    I hope this helps your tree to glow beautifully this year!

    Did you know this tip already? Or is your mind blown?

    Still need to buy a tree this year? I’ve got you covered!

    Where to Find the BEST Artificial Christmas Trees

    Click here for the BEST artificial Christmas trees on the market!

    Holiday Gift Guide for Girls! - love these great ideas for girls of all ages!

    Shop my GIFT GUIDES

    & my CHRISTMAS DECOR Shop!

    SHOP HERE
    Is this not just the cutest thing you've ever seen?! These monogramed cotton stem free printables will look so cute in a farmhouse-styled home. Grab them in any monogram!

    The Home Decorator’s Free Printable Library

    Get 40+ beautiful FREE printables for every season and every room!

    Download them now!
    Shop The Turquoise Home's Gift Guide and Christmas Decor Shop!
    More Favorite DIY Posts You will LOVE!
    Show more
    How to Organize Christmas Decorations

    How to Organize Christmas Decorations

    ...
    Read More
    Show more
    Christmas Decor in the Bedroom

    Christmas in Our Bedroom (+ a new bed!)

    ...
    Read More
    Show more
    Holiday Gift Guide for Girls

    Best Gifts for Elementary-Aged Girls

    ...
    Read More
    Show more
    Plaid Holiday Decor

    Plaid Holiday Decor & Accessories

    ...
    Read More
    Show more
    Christmas Kitchen with Plaid Accents

    Plaid Christmas Kitchen

    ...
    Read More
    Show more
    The Ultimate Stocking Stuffer Gift Guides! Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Everyone in the Family - something for every budget!

    Stocking Stuffer Ideas for the Whole Family {Ultimate Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide}

    ...
    Read More
    Show more
    Greenery Wreath in Dining Room

    Gold & Greenery Christmas Dining Room

    ...
    Read More
    Show more
    Gift Guide for men!

    Gift Guide for Men

    ...
    Read More
    Show more
    Holiday Gift Guide for Her

    Top Favorite Gifts for Her

    ...
    Read More
    Load More
    « DIY Fixer Upper Cathedral Window Frame
    How to Decorate for Christmas »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Susan Murphree

      October 14, 2020 at 5:30 pm

      I want to try putting lights on my Tree the way you do – do you have any videos showing this? ( maybe on Youtube ? )

      Reply
    2. Paige Jirsa

      January 14, 2019 at 2:19 pm

      Interesting method!! Will have to give it an attempt next year!

      Reply
      • Ellen

        November 17, 2019 at 3:24 pm

        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! 😉

        Reply
    3. Christi

      November 26, 2018 at 1:55 pm

      We do similar but colored lights more in the center and white lights on the out side, it adds some dimension to it!

      Reply
    4. LavaidaVandelia

      November 14, 2017 at 10:20 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Laura

        November 17, 2017 at 10:24 pm

        Hi Lavaida, You basically just wrap each whole branch in lights in order to get the maximum shine! 🙂

        Reply
      • Susan

        November 16, 2019 at 9:10 am

        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.

        Reply
    5. [email protected]

      December 10, 2016 at 11:17 am

      do you start from the bottom up or from the top down?

      Reply
    6. Victoria

      November 25, 2016 at 9:03 am

      Years ago, I remember watching Martha Stewart decorate her tree this way. That was the first time I saw anyone do it this way

      Reply
    7. Andrea

      November 22, 2016 at 9:22 am

      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!

      Reply
    8. Sallie

      November 22, 2016 at 6:17 am

      Can you do this method on a real tree? They’ve usually got more branches and the branches aren’t standard sizes?

      Reply
      • Laura

        December 07, 2016 at 11:22 am

        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. 🙂

        Reply
      • Linsey B

        November 10, 2021 at 4:54 am

        How many lights do you use doing it this way? I think I may have done it wrong or something because it had me using 1000 on my 9ft tree and the top 1/3 needs done still. I think I need about 150-200 more.

        So doing this way do you stay with the 100 per foot “rule” or do you go up in number some? Thanks

        Reply
    9. Susan Bouler

      November 20, 2016 at 11:24 am

      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!!

      Reply
    10. Kathleen Kutz

      November 19, 2016 at 7:07 pm

      Hi, the hardest thing re interior decor is getting started. Too many other things to do!

      Reply
    11. Elizabeth

      November 18, 2016 at 12:02 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Laura

        November 18, 2016 at 12:04 pm

        Yay! I’m so glad I shared it, then. 🙂 Happy decorating!

        Reply
    12. Terri Kannon

      November 18, 2016 at 11:34 am

      Where did you get the cute wagon pillow next to your tree. It is adorable!

      Reply
      • Laura

        November 18, 2016 at 12:06 pm

        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

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Grab Your Free Copy of The Decorator's Easy Cheat Sheet
    About Laura Nickelson, the author and creator of The Turquoise Home

    Popular Posts

    Sea Salt | Paint Colors in Living Room | Sand and Sisal

    The Best Living Room Paint Colors

    Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore wall color | paint color

    Best Home Decor Paint Colors: Edgecomb Gray

    Benjamin Moore White Dove Paint Color - inspiration photos

    Benjamin Moore White Dove {The Best Home Decor Paint Colors}

    Grab a piece of plywood and some paint and we're good to go!!

    How to Make a Large Wooden Sign

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Meet Laura

    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Get the 5 Secrets Every Decorator Knows!

    Home Decor Index

    • Decorating 101
    • Paint Colors
    • DIY Project
    • Living Room
    • Kitchen
    • Outdoors

    TheTurquoiseHome.com is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 The Turquoise Home