I just received a call from my son in New York. He and his wife just bought their first "real" Christmas tree. They dumped the old pre-lighted artificial one for the real McCoy! He knew how to take the lower limbs of, place the tree correctly in the stand and straighten it so it's centered and straight. And then he realized he had no idea how to put the lights on.
After searching the internet and coming up with few answers, he decided to call his mom... I must say I was a little surprised at the question. I guess I just thought everyone knew how to put lights on a tree. But I suppose that if you have never done it, well how would you know? Right?
So, I figured there were tons of first time home buyers that were going through the same thing right about now. First house, first tree, first time stringing lights. So here goes. Here is how I do it.
- Make sure all your lights are working. Plug them up (even if you've had them tested at the store) and make sure they work
- Have a multi-plug surge protector to start the string. It's helpful to have the on/off switch on the surge protector.
- Begin at the bottom of the tree-preferably at the back of the tree. Put the first strand of lights in the surge protector
- Give yourself enough slack from the plugged in lights to the base of the tree (12"-18"). Start at the outside branch and weave the lights toward the trunk of the tree.
- When you reach the inside at the base, start weaving the lights out toward the end of the next limb or branch.
- Follow the branch back to the base with the string of lights.
- After placing lights at the trunk continue outward on the next or a near branch to the end.
- Continue this process until the end of the light string.
- Place another string on the lights and continue the weaving in toward the base and the out to the end of the next branch.
- You will have to weave the lights upward after you have circled the tree once.
Getting the lights near the base of the tree will give it depth and show off the tree. It adds dimension and makes it sparkle!
Good luck and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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