Stringing Lights on Your Christmas Tree

Published November 27, 2014

It seems Christmas arrives earlier every year.

The store windows are decorated for the holidays and exterior lights are appearing everywhere on homes around the North Shore.

Many families have a tradition to put up their tree Dec. 1 to begin the countdown to Christmas Day.

One of the prettiest things about the Christmas tree is how it is illuminated. Creating a beautiful glow does take a bit of work but if you are patient and well organized the results are stunning.

Here are some great tips from tree decorators for lighting up an indoor tree like a pro.

Materials 

• A power bar
• One to two extension cords with a power splitter (preferably green)
• A fresh or artificial tree
• 10 strands of lights
• Scissors
• Step stool or ladder
• Rubber gloves (optional)

Method 

Always test your strands of lights before you begin this project. This is important. There’s nothing worse than discovering a few strands of lights require replacing once they are placed on the tree.

Begin by plugging in your power bar to the closest electrical outlet to the tree. A power bar is great because not only does it provide an easy way to turn your lights on and off on a daily basis but it also has the added benefit of a built-in circuit breaker.

Attach an extension cord to the power bar and wind the cord up the centre of the tree as far as it will go.

Plug your first strand of lights into the extension cord. Always work from the top of the tree downwards, winding your lights on each tree branch as you work your way down. Try to get to the tips of the tree branches if you can and avoid draping the light strands from branch to branch. This only draws the eye to the wires instead of the lights.

Use your step stool to reach the higher sections of the tree.

If your tree is backed into a corner or a wall, then maximize the lights where they will be viewed.

It’s best not to connect more than three strands of lights together as this may result in the strands prematurely burning out.

Use the extension cords and power bars as much as possible.

You may need to install another extension cord into the centre power bar as you work your way to the bottom of the tree.

The idea is to hide the extension cords and light strand wires as much as possible in order to see the lights extending to the tips of each tree branch.

Give yourself some time for this project. In the end, you will agree that as pretty as your baubles and ornaments are, it’s the lights that really make the tree.