If you have ever strung lights on a Christmas tree, you already know what a pain it can be to get them right. It can be a tiring process that becomes even more frustrating when you finish, step back to look, and see that they are unevenly distributed with too many in some spots and not enough in others. Here are 7 tips to help you string lights easily and will have your tree, whether real or artificial, shining brightly all season long!
- Consider purchasing a 9-Outlet Christmas Tree Extension Cord. This may be the best tree-lighting invention ever! Trust me, once you use it, you will wonder how you ever got by without it. When you use a regular extension cord, it can get a little messy with all the light strings having to reach that one outlet. But with this 9-outlet Christmas tree extension cord, you can place it along the trunk of the tree and it will evenly place outlets among the top, middle and bottom of it. This means you can plug the top strands of lights in the top tap outlet, the middle strands into the middle one…well, you get the picture. You will no longer have to worry about all the plugs going to one outlet or area. In addition, it keeps you safe by following the rule of not plugging in more than three sets of lights together.
- Always test the lights BEFORE you start putting them on the tree. Test each strand to make sure it is working properly. The last thing you want to do is get them all on the tree only to discover that some aren’t working. Plug each string into an outlet and leave it for about 5 minutes. Give it a little shake to make sure all the bulbs are secure. It it stays lit, it’s good to go!
- Light the tree trunk first. Make your tree look like it is lit from within by stringing clear mini lights around the trunk up the center. Even if you plan to use colored lights, use clear white ones on the trunk to give it that “inner glow”.
- String lights from top to bottom. Starting at the top and working your way down is the best way to put lights on a tree. Often the tops of trees are sparce and it’s hard to hide the wires. By starting at the top you can use whatever amount of lights you need to get the top right and then you can proceed down the tree from there. To avoid having the light strands get tangled as you are adding them, wrap them around your shoulders like a shawl. Step back and check as you go to be sure you are spacing the lights evenly. A good way to do this is to do the “squint test”. It creates a bokeh effect when you squint, bringing the lights into focus while looking at the tree. Stand a few feet away from the tree and squint your eyes and you will be able to see where there are empty spots that need filling. You can adjust your lights as needed.
- Use twinkle lights. Mini twinkle lights with bulbs that slowly twinkle one at a time will add a special glow to your tree. You can add a few strings of these among whatever other lights you use to create a magical, festive look.
- Before you start, determine how many lights you will need for your tree. You don’t want to be almost done and realize you have run out of lights! It’s smart to buy more than you think you will need. It’s easiest to work with 100 light strings. The rule of thumb is that you will need 100-200 lights for every foot of tree. But you can use more or less depending upon the style of the tree and the look you are going for.
- Store your Christmas lights so they don’t get tangled. If you start the process by spending hours trying to untangle lights, you will be exhausted and frustrated before you even start putting them on the tree! A great way to store them so they don’t get tangled is to wrap each strand around a piece of cardboard or a paper towel tube. I personally cut the “lids” off boxes that I’m going to recycle and use them to wrap lights and garland around for storage.
Follow these tips and lighting up your tree will be quick and easy giving your more time to bask in their festive glow!
Are you thinking of buying a home or selling your current home in New River Valley, VA? Then it is time to contact Desi Sowers, your New River Valley, VA real estate resource! Give her a call today at 540-320-1328!
Photo Credits: huffpost.com, alibaba.com, pinterest.com, marthastewart.com, theactivetimes.com