Things You'll Need:
- Live tree
- Tree stand
- Water
- Lights
- Ornaments
- Garland
- Tree skirt
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Step 1
Place the tree exactly where you want it before you decorate it. Live trees are often awkward to move and will drop needles on the floor if moved too much.
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Step 2
Fill the tree stand bowl with water before decorating. It will be harder to access after the tree is full of decorations.
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Step 3
Start by winding around a string of lights at the top of the tree and work your way down. Leave the end of the light cord for your star to be plugged in. Place the lights midway between the trunk and outside edges of the tree. If you like a lot of lights, stay closer to the inside of the tree.
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Step 4
Add another string of lights if you run out before reaching the bottom of the tree. If you run out of tree and have lights left, you can tuck them under the tree skirt later, but make sure the end can reach an outlet or extension cord to plug them in.
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Step 5
Hang your ornaments on the tree. If the tree's needles are thin or the branches are widely spaced, hang the heavier ornaments on the inside of the branches. Lighter ornaments can be placed right at the edge of the branches so they stand out.
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Step 6
Put a garland around the tree, resting it on the edges of the branches. Make sure to go around the ornaments and not cover them.
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Step 7
Sweep up all of the needles that have fallen on the floor while you were stringing lights and hanging ornaments.
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Step 8
Lay a tree skirt under the tree on top of the legs of the tree stand. This will catch new needles that fall and will make a nice area to place gifts.
