Decorating a Christmas tree is a long-standing tradition for many families. Signalling holidays are almost here, but also creating precious memories.
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However, achieving a Christmas tree that looks like the ones in shops can be challenging, especially the lights.
How to put lights on Christmas tree
Kim Jacobs is the Marketing Manager at the Hunter Vallery Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular. She says, “There are many ways to string a tree, with some people favouring the traditional circular stringing, while others prefer to string them from top to bottom.
“Whichever method you choose, make sure the lights are distributed evenly across the tree and push them into the foliage so they are a bit hidden. The lights will shine through and won’t distract from the other decorations.”
How many lights do you need for a Christmas tree?
Before you get started decorating your Christmas tree with lights, there are a few things you need to have sorted.
Firstly, make sure you have enough lights.
Better Homes and Gardens editor Dora Papas previously said: “For every 30cm of tree height, you’ll need a 100-count string of fairy or seed lights. Yes, that’s quite a few strings of lights, but it’s worth the effort.”
Another tip is to choose the right coloured lights. We suggest a white light for white trees and a warm glow for green trees. It’s also a good idea to get lights with green string so it blends into your tree.
Here are three techniques to achieve a glistening Christmas tree worthy of a Christmas display.
How to hang Christmas lights horizontally
This is the easiest way to put lights on a Christmas tree. Begin at the top and spiral the lights around the tree, moving downward in a continuous spiral pattern. This technique creates a swirling effect, especially when using lights with different colours or sizes. Adjust the tightness of the spiral to control the density of the lights.
How to hang Christmas lights vertically
While it might seem unnatural to hang your lights vertically, doing so breaks away from the traditional horizontal wrapping and can be eye-catching. Vertical lights can accentuate the natural shape of the tree, not to mention they can be easier to take down from the tree once Christmas is over. Here’s how to do it:
Mentally divide the tree into three triangle sections. You will decorate each area individually.
There are a couple of ways you can decorate each section with lights. The first is to plug the string of lights in and place the last bulb at the top of your first section. Weave your way down each section from top to bottom. Repeat this process for the other two triangular areas. This method ensures that each triangular section of the tree receives a consistent and even light distribution. Starting from the top and weaving down helps achieve balanced illumination throughout the tree.
Alternatively, you can string the lights vertically in each section. Plug the string of lights into the powerpoint and place the last bulb at the bottom of your ‘triangle’. Pull the lights to the top, then back down again. You are, essentially, weaving vertically instead of horizontally. This method can give your tree a modern and sleek appearance, making it suitable for homes with a more minimalist or updated aesthetic.
How to string Christmas lights around every branch
Stringing lights around each Christmas tree branch creates a beautifully illuminated tree. The only downside is the lights can be tricky to remove at the end of Christmas.
Plug your lights in so you can see them as you work. Starting at the trunk, wrap the length of each branch. Wrap once on the way back to the trunk. Continue this process until all of the branches have been wrapped. As you move around your tree, make sure the lights return to the trunk to create a more three-dimensional effect and a huge amount of sparkle!
How to check your Christmas lights
Before you call it a day, there’s one more thing you need to do to make sure your tree is finished. Take a step back and squint your tree. This will showcase any dark spots that need more light. Adjust your tree’s lights until you’ve got it just right.
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