The most tedious part of decorating a Christmas tree is adding the lights. It seems to take forever to wrap each branch from beginning to end, all the way around the tree.
Although most store bought trees come pre-lit these days, many of us still use fresh trees or even vintage trees that still need a little help in the electrical department. Here's a few tips on making the lighting part go a little quicker so you can start digging out those ornaments and better yet, Christmas cookies!
Growing up we used to make my brother play light gopher. He was skinny enough to slither back behind the tree and carry the light strand around to the hard to reach places while we conveniently decorated the front. We also made him shimmy down the sewer to get our kickballs, but that's a story for another time. Poor dude. He could totally school me now. Lights Sarah, focus!
Our friends over at Real Simple make tree lighting easy with the bottom to top method instead of the around in circles method. They suggest visually dividing your tree into 3 sections and then adding lights accordingly. It will not only make adding lights easier, but if a strand should happen to go out, it makes them easier to fix. Plus, you can add lights to the back of the tree before pushing it into place.
What? You say you already have your tree up and lit for this year? Write yourself a note with this tip and stash it in your tree box so when you unpack next season, you'll give yourself a pat on the back. You can find more tree tips over at Real Simple.
Image: Ellen Silverman for Real Simple
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And never ever buy a pre-lit tree you plan to re-use. When the lights inevitably burn out, removing them is a total nightmare. Those pernicious little clips HURT after a while!
Sherry, at the store yesterday I actually saw a little gun shaped object that automatically removes and replaces burnt out bulbs for you.
I laughed quite a bit at it, but if you've got to replace a lot of bulbs and they hurt your hands, it's probably a good idea!
We tried the top/bottom approach one year but it didn't look right. Also, it only works if you're using one color/type of light. If you're mixing clear with color, or traditional with round, then you have weird "zones"...unless you're into that sort of thing.
Hmmm, my family just doesn't put lights on the back of the tree. We usually have it in a corner, and we just zig-zag the lights in the front and around the sides.
Now, we also once brought home an 11-foot tree for our 10-ft ceiling, so maybe we're not the ones to ask about Christmas decorating : )
Also - wrapping you cords up on a stiff piece of cardboard or large plastic spool makes each year a cinch to put up lights.
Also be sure to remove lights so that the appropriate male/ female outlet end is available to be unrolled the next year- this is for multi strand trees (we do a 14 ft tree = lots of strands).
Merry Christmas!
Hannah McCoy
Hannahmccoyinteriors.com
Thank you! My tree has been sitting nekkid for four days because I dreaded doing the spin, turn, attach to each branch dance. After wrapping the trunk with one strand, I just took the next one, laid it up and back down, plugged in the next, rinsed, repeated. Then went back and attached just enough to hide the wires. What used to take hours took less then 15 mins and looks just as nice.
i never knew people were so tedious with thier lights. the first i heard about wrapping each branch was the other week here on AT. Growing up we always just zig zag draped them up the tree takes 10-15 minutes.
Ive always had real trees since i moved out but we finally broke down and bought a fake pre-lit one. the city is really unfriendly with disposing of them (they wont pick them up from large apartment buildings). I hope the lights hold up!
If you decide to purchase a pre lit tree I would suggest purchasing many extra fuses. I have owned a pre lit tree and it seems every year when I plug it in, it never lights up. I replace the fuses and It lights up like the fourth of July.
Atlanta Georgia Home Search
I like my tree LIT with as many strands as it can hold and remain standing. The vertical-zone approach is the way to go -- for putting up and removing. Learned it many, many years ago helping a landscaper friend who did people's Christmas decorations in the winter. Best tip ever.
Maybe it's pregnancy brain, but this is not making any sense to me...
Okay, divide tree into the sections. Check. Then place lights top to bottom. Check. Are the strands running up and down vertically or zig-zagging back and forth horizontally.
I need a diagram here or something. o_O
(And obviously, there should be a question mark after "horizontally." Geez.)
I love our pre-lit tree, but will make note of the tool if it's ever needed in the future. We have LED lights (the warm tone ones, not the weird vibrating neon ones) so hopefully we won't have that problem for a long time.
To adamwa, I moved to a faux tree when I left Texas for Chicago and realized that the entire winter was about battling all things dry. The idea of trying to keep a tree hydrated (and not a tinderbox fire hazard) seemed daunting when I couldn't even keep my shins from getting itchy. :)
-Alana
http://www.kitschykitten.com
Huh. I use icicle lights, that way each branch gets an icicle. It takes a bit of practice and it's a bit easier if it's a two person job but it's been working for me the last few years! The only downside is that I can only find white icicle lights. I counter that with some of the big c9 bulbs and those I just drape around the tree.