How to String Lights on a Christmas Tree for a Sparkling Holiday Display

Emily Williams

Fri, August 14, 2015 at 5:44 PM UTC

8 min read

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How to String Lights on a Christmas Tree for a Sparkling Holiday Display

Make your Christmas tree sparkle (and show off your favorite ornaments) with these tree-lighting tips and tricks.

Fact checked by Elizabeth Berry

Winding lights around a Christmas tree doesn't have to be a holiday chore that results in tangled cords. From real trees to artificial imitations, Christmas trees of all types can become a beautiful holiday tribute when you employ the right lighting techniques. If you're stumped on how to string lights on a Christmas tree easily, efficiently, and artfully, we're here to break down how to do so for several holiday decor styles.

Types of Christmas Tree Lights

There are many types of Christmas tree lights to choose from, including incandescent bulbs, classic clear or colored LEDs, fiber optic lights, fairy lights, icicle lights, rope lights, and even net lights. When considering how to string lights on a Christmas tree, you may want to keep it simple with one type of lights. For a more showy display, however, consider using miniature clear lights for your base lighting, then add strands of large bulbs for color and variety. You can also opt for novelty lights, such as flickering flames, flashing lights, or bubble lights.

Speaking of showy displays, smart lights allow you to easily program your Christmas tree to display any colors and patterns you like, all from a simple app on your phone. Pick up a set of twinkly multicolor LED lights and wow your family members by changing up your tree with a few taps on your phone screen. Music-syncing lights that allow you to program your tree to change colors in time to your favorite Christmas songs are another option for an extra festive effect.

Tips

Many artificial Christmas trees come in sections that open like an umbrella. If you use miniature tree lights, you can wrap them around the branches and leave them on permanently—just be sure to light each section separately.

How to String Lights on a Christmas Tree

The trick to evenly lighting a Christmas tree is to mentally divide the tree into three triangular sections, from top to bottom around the tree's cone, rather than wrapping the lights around the tree in a maypole style. For a dazzling Christmas tree that's evenly lit but doesn't look quite like a Clark Griswald creation, use 100 lights for every foot of your tree's height. So for a 6-foot tree, you'll need about 600 lights.

Step 1: Start at the Top. Plug in the first string of lights and nestle the last bulb on the strand at the top of the tree next to the trunk.

Step 2: String Lights Back and Forth. Weave the lights back and forth across the triangle moving downward, taking care not to cross the cord over itself. When you reach the end of the first string, plug in the next set of lights and continue weaving the cord back and forth, connecting no more than 300 Christmas lights end to end. Repeat this procedure for the remaining triangle sections.

Step 3: Fill in Gaps. Step back from the tree and look at it with your eyes crossed or squint until the tree is blurry. Wherever you see dark holes, rearrange the lights to fill in the gaps.

Tip

To remove the lights without tangling them, work in reverse.

How to String Lights on a Christmas Tree for Minimalist Lighting

The above method for stringing Christmas tree lights works for any tree, but if you're wondering how to string lights on a Christmas tree that's a little more sparse, follow this technique instead. While the standard method calls for 100 lights per foot of tree, this minimalist method uses 50 per foot. Use about 3 boxes of 100-bulb strands for a 6-foot tree and about 5 boxes for an 8-foot tree.

Step 1: Start at the Trunk. Begin close to the trunk at the bottom of the tree. Separate the cord near the first bulb in the first strand of lights so it forms a loop. Slip the loop over one of the branchlets or greens near the trunk, and wrap the cord a few times around the green to secure it.

Step 2: String Lights Along Branch. Pull the string of Christmas lights taut to the tip of the branch, then work back toward the trunk, wrapping the cord over itself and the branch.

Step 3: Repeat. Separate the cord again when you reach the trunk, and slip it over a branchlet to secure it. Carry the cord over to the next branch, wrap it around a green near the trunk, and pull it out to the tip. Wrap the cord over itself and the branch as before.

Step 4: Add Strands of Lights as Needed. Continue wrapping branches this way until you reach the end of the strand. Plug in the next set and keep going. When you string the top section of the Christmas tree, don't wrap the lights around as many branches—this will help the tree look evenly lit from top to bottom.

Step 5: Fill Gaps. Step back from the tree and look at it with your eyes crossed or squint until the tree is blurry. Wherever you see dark holes, rearrange the lights to fill in the gaps.

Tip

To maximize the impact of this technique, we like to use large lights like globe string lights or retro-inspired bubble lights.

How to Create Bright Lighting on a Christmas Tree

For a classic but bright look, use LED lights. They don't produce heat and are safe to use for decorating your tree. Use 6 boxes of 100-bulb strands for a 6-foot Christmas tree and 8 boxes for an 8-foot tree.

Step 1: Loop Lights Around Branches. Follow the same procedure for minimalist lighting, but add dimension to your tree's sparkle by looping the strings a couple of times around on each branch, getting some of the lights closer to the trunk. Again, work your way from the bottom of the tree to the top.

Step 2: Fill Gaps. Step back from the tree and look at it with your eyes crossed or squint until the tree is blurry. Wherever you see dark holes, rearrange the lights to fill in the gaps.

Tip

Cover more of the tree with fewer lights by working the strands under and over each branch. Follow this pattern around the tree, working from the bottom to the top. It's simple, but it makes a lot of difference by covering your tree in lights instead of lassoing it.

How to String Christmas Tree Lights for Statement Lighting

If you want the effect of a Rockefeller Christmas tree in your living room, you'll need extra lights. To make your tree really wow, double the number of lights to 200 per foot of tree. Use 12 boxes of 100-bulb strands for a 6-foot tree and 16 boxes for an 8-foot tree.

Step 1: Wrap Branches. Wrap the cord around every green as you work back along the branch.

Step 2: Vary Bulb Sizes. Pair different-size bulbs with different stringing techniques. We like to string larger lights on first using the weaving technique, then layer in the smaller LED lights closer to the trunk using the branch-wrapping technique.

Step 3: Fill in Gaps. Step back from the tree and look at it with your eyes crossed or squint until the tree is blurry. Wherever you see dark holes, rearrange the lights to fill in the gaps.

Tips for Stringing Lights on an Outdoor Christmas Tree

If you're looking to add a bit of seasonal cheer to your house or the trees and shrubs in your front yard, you may be wondering how to string lights on a Christmas tree safely, considering the inevitable exposure to the elements. Follow these guidelines for lighting outdoor trees:

Don't try to hang strings of Christmas lights from eaves with cup hooks—the wires may swing loose in a strong wind. Instead, use plastic gutter clips that hook onto the gutter and hold the wire tightly. Look for packages of gutter clips in crafts stores and hardware stores near the tree lights and supplies.
Be sure you have outdoor electrical sockets to plug into when you use outdoor Christmas lights.
Don't worry about hiding the electrical cords—just keep them organized neatly; it's unlikely anyone will notice them.

Tips and Considerations for Safely Hanging Tree Lights

Christmas tree lights are either end-to-end (strand-to-strand) or stacked. Before buying your tree lights, check the boxes to ensure they're all compatible.
You can join more strands with stacked plugs than with end-to-end plugs.
To maximize safety, never plug more than two extension cords together. Instead, buy them in the lengths you need and ensure they can handle the wattage of the bulbs.
The wattages of all the lights you use should be the same. This prevents power surges and prolongs the life of the bulbs.
Plug in the lights to see if they work before you put them on the tree.

Frequently asked Questions

What is the easiest way to string lights on a Christmas tree?

The easiest way to string lights on a Christmas tree is to divide the tree into three vertical sections. Work from the top to the bottom of each section, winding the strand of lights back and forth like you're going down a mountain.

How many lights do you need for a Christmas tree?

Generally speaking, you want to use a strand of lights with 100 bulbs per 1 foot of tree. For a 7-foot tree, you would need 700 bulbs.

Do you put lights or ornaments on a Christmas tree first?

String lights on a Christmas tree before you decorate it with ornaments so you can ensure your tree is evenly lit.

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