If you buy a live Christmas tree, have an unlit artificial Christmas tree, or you add extra lights to your pre-lit artificial trees, you might be doing it the hard way. Are you making yourself dizzy by going around the tree? That method is hard even if your tree is in the middle of the room, not to mention how hard that is if the tree is up against a wall or in a corner. It’s almost impossible to get that string of lights to cooperate. It’s time to ditch that method and try the easy way to put lights on a Christmas tree.
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STEP 1: PLAN AND VISUALIZE
Before you ever start, you want to decide how many strands you are going to use. Then you will visually divide the tree from top to bottom into that many triangular sections. So, if you are adding three strands like I did to the tree in the video, then you can look at the tree and divide it into three triangular sections from top to bottom. Here is a tree with one triangular section drawn. The other two sections are on either side of this section.


STEP 2: START AT THE TOP
Before you do anything, you will want to plug your lights in to make sure they are working. Then, you will want to start adding your strand of lights from the top of the tree to the bottom of the tree in your first triangular section. It’s best to add them while they are plugged in so you can see exactly where they are going. Obviously, the end that is plugged in to the wall will be near the bottom of the tree and the other end of is what you will have at the top of the tree.
STEP 3: ZIG ZAG AND IN AND OUT
Now, start adding from the top to the bottom in a zig zag fashion. You will also want to move in and out of the tree with your lights making sure to cover each branch. By having lights inside and outside of the tree, you will be adding so much more depth to your tree and you will be lighting up your ornaments and decor that you will be putting deeper into the branches.
The great thing about adding lights in this way is that they are so much easier to take off as well! They just pull right off the branches and you don’t have to make yourself dizzy by going around the tree. This really is the easiest way to add lights to your Christmas tree.
Step 4: Add The Next Section of Christmas Lights
It’s ideal when the strand of lights runs out at the bottom of your triangular section and you can just plug it in. Next, you will take another strand of lights and go back to the top with the end of your new strand of lights. Come back down the tree with this strand in the same zig zag, in and out pattern following the next triangular section. Repeat these steps until your entire tree is lit. All of your plugs should be at the bottom of the tree. I do not plug any of my lights together in the tree. They all plug separately into a power strip on the floor.
This is by far the easiest method for lighting a Christmas tree that I have found. I hope you give this a try and let me know what you think. You can find me decorating on Instagram @HolidayHangups and I’d love to see you there.
If you enjoyed this post, you might want to check out these posts.
When Your Pre-Lit Christmas Tree Lights Don’t Work
How To Remove Old Pre-Lit Lights From Your Christmas Tree
The Great Christmas Tree Take Down VIDEO – Watch this video to see how easy these lights come down.
About Mom Can Do Anything
My name is Tara and I blog here about my home, my life, Christmas and all things in between. Thank you for stopping by MomCanDoAnything.com! Over the last seven years, I’ve documented my passion for home improvement projects and DIYs, sharing valuable insights and inspiration for transforming living spaces.
My true love lies in seasonal decor, especially Christmas, and I delve deep into tips and tricks to make your festivities truly magical. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore my brand new retail site at ww.HolidayHangups.com and my Etsy site, Holiday Hangups, where you’ll find an exquisite collection of Christmas decor to adorn your home.
Beyond that, my blog also features an array of lifestyle posts, covering school projects, delightful recipes, heartwarming family conversations, captivating photography, and unforgettable travel experiences. I invite you to dive into my other articles and discover the joy of creating a cozy and enchanting life. Happy reading and don’t forget to spread the cheer!
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