There is no nice way to say the following:
Don’t wrap your lights around your Christmas tree in rows- just stop it!
Lights go on first before anything else. The secret is to make the lights appear as thought they come from the inside of the tree outward, and look at though they are just light, no cords. Starting at the base, from the trunk, place your cord under each branch following the length of the branch and then wrap the light around the tip of the branch. Then head back in toward the trunk and do it all over again, all the way to the top. Yep- that’s right, and that’s why that is Doug’s (my husband) job. This conceals all the cords and makes the lights dimensional and gives the tree depth. When you get to eye level for the average height, reverse it so the cord is on the top of the branch instead of the bottom. It’s magical- a beautiful thing!
Step 1: Starting from the trunk, run your light string along the branch (top or bottom will depend on eye level)
Step 2: Once at the tip of the branch, wrap your light string around it and then guide the strand back to the trunk and repeat.
The size of your tree will dictate the number of light strings you are going to need. For the average 8-9’ tree, you are going to need about 9-10 boxes of 100 bulb light strands.
There are mini lights, retro lights, berries, globes, LED’s etc. etc. So choose your style and then your color, no rules- you’re the boss, but here is my thinking:
White lights= Formal
Multi colored lights= Traditional
Single colored lights= Fun and youthful
LED’s= You’re not spending enough money at Lee Douglas because you can afford LED’s.
Make sure you have an extension cord that is long enough so it doesn’t have to stretch. You should stop wrapping the lights somewhere around the bottom of the trunk on the back side of the tree or you can zip tie the extension cord to your trunk- just don’t let me see it. Seeing cords takes all the magic away (think Disneyland- no one want’s to see how it works). You can hide cords with your tree skirt, a rug that meets the tree skirt, a fake present (or real one if your shopping is done), a statement piece like a giant Santa or a floor pillow, pouf, ottoman, etc. – again, just don’t let me see it.
