How to Put Lights on a Christmas Tree Like a Pro

From the center outward, from top to bottom, all around, on the outer branches—if you haven't opted for a pre-lit tree, the possibilities are plentiful. Let's explore the best solutions

Getting your lights right is really the key to creating a beautiful tree. Lights are the magic of Christmas.

Decorating your Christmas tree with lights may seem like the most mundane task, but it's crucial and should not be taken lightly. While it can sometimes be frustrating, the satisfaction of seeing your Christmas tree aglow makes it all worthwhile. A well-lit tree enhances every aspect of your decoration.

We recommend opting for pre-lit trees whenever possible, as they provide a convenient starting point with evenly distributed lighting. While you may be inclined to follow the tradition of your parents in how you string the lights, there are actually various methods to illuminate a Christmas tree. Both online and offline, questions arise: Should the lights be hung horizontally or vertically? Do you start from the top or bottom?

Don't be discouraged by the thought of changing your technique; here's the good news: there's truly no right or wrong way to illuminate your Christmas tree. If your current method satisfies you, stick with it—there's no need to make a change! However, if you're new to decorating and wondering about the easiest approach to lighting a Christmas tree, we have some helpful advice for you.

Before you begin, keep in mind that there's nothing more frustrating than meticulously arranging your lights only to discover they're the same set you meant to discard last year. To avoid this, test the lights beforehand to ensure all the LEDs are functioning properly before you place them on the tree. We also recommend keeping the lights on while you work so you can accurately gauge their appearance on the tree and understand the overall effect you'll achieve in the end.

Which Are the Best Christmas Lights?

Whether you're illuminating an artificial tree or a real one, the optimal lights to use are green wire lights with 8 to 10 cm spacing. These are the easiest to handle and work with. Not only are these types of string lights widely available at almost every store during the holiday season (where you can also select the color or light temperature you prefer), but the green wire also seamlessly blends into your branches, making the strands practically disappear.

The choice of bulb size ultimately boils down to personal preference. A popular trend nowadays involves blending traditional strands with more glamorous 'fashion' lights to achieve a dazzling, multi-faceted appearance.

However, for those who prefer a classic approach, starting with mini LED lights is advisable. These lights impart a radiant glow to your tree. If you desire a distinct look, you can incorporate larger lights later on. Nonetheless, for optimal brightness, we suggest beginning with the mini lights.

The color and temperature of your lights are entirely up to you. Whether you prefer cheerful rainbow-colored lights, classic warm white, cool icy tones, or a blend of both, the choice is yours. In addition to mixed bulbs.

How to Light a Christmas Tree

The vertical method of arranging lights on your Christmas tree has become a popular trend in recent years. This technique ensures that the tree shines brightly, as the lights are more prominently displayed and less likely to be obscured by branches. Additionally, this approach simplifies the process of removing the light strings from the tree after the holiday season.

Landscape mode is the most used technique when it comes to decorating the tree. It's pretty self-explanatory, but if it's your first time decorating a Christmas tree with lights, we recommend following these directions:

• Connect each strand of lights to make sure all the LEDs are working.
• Starting at the top or bottom of the tree (depending solely on your preference), loop the lights above and below the branches of the tree.
• You can mix things up by placing some lights "deeper" in the tree than others and alternating patterns so they look more organic.

The zigzag mode.

• Divide the tree into vertical quadrants. You will work on one quadrant at a time.
• Working from top to bottom or bottom to top (your preference), begin weaving the lights in a zigzag motion across one quadrant of the tree.
• Once you reach the top or bottom of that section, begin moving the lights through the next quadrant until the tree is complete.

If you want more lights, repeat this step in the opposite direction (so from bottom to top if you previously started from the top) to avoid too much overlap.

While some individuals prefer the charm of a freshly cut Tannenbaum, we find artificial trees to be more convenient. They are flexible, consistently shaped, and best of all, once illuminated, you can keep the lights on season after season. For even greater ease, consider choosing a prelit tree, such as the one we've selected.

Many artificial trees will be divided into three sections. Lighting each section individually for easy disassembly and storage once the holidays are over.
For a standard 210 cm tree, that you use six sets of lights for the bottom portion, five sets for the middle, and three sets for the top.

It's best to begin from the bottom of each section to manage the extension cord effectively (remember to keep the lights on while you work). Instead of wrapping the tree horizontally and illuminating each branch from the trunk to the tip before moving to the next branch, consider following a spoke pattern. This involves weaving in and out through the branches of the tree. Lighting each individual branch not only enhances sparkle but also facilitates shaping the tree as desired later on.

When the Holidays are over—you’ve already done the hard part for the future years!

Simply keep the lights on the tree’s sections and gently put them into storage. That’s why we like the artificial tree, because you light it once and it’s ready to go for the next five years.