How to Decorate With Holiday Lights

Every Christmas season, millions of American watch as the tree at Rockefeller Center is illuminated in the annual ceremony. Five miles of wire, 30,00 lights, dozens of electricians and two weeks of intense labor go into making the tree spectacular. Your tree may not rival the most famous Christmas tree in the world, but you can use holiday lights to make your tree glow. Read on to learn how to decorate with holiday lights.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Choose the type of light bulbs and colors you will use for decoration. Simple is better so settle on one kind of bulb for the tree. Always test the lights before arranging them on the tree.

2. Work from the top down. For tall trees, it is easier to decorate the top several feet while the tree is still lying on its side.

3. Create a three-dimensional look by wrapping each branch with lights starting at the trunk, working to the tip of the branch and back towards the trunk. This method requires a lot of light strands. Each strand then is plugged into the next.

4. Zig-zag the lights from the top of the tree down. Keep the horizontal spacing even but place some lights on the branch ends, others in the middle of the branches and push others in close to the trunk.

5. Check for gaps after all the lights are in place. Reposition as needed.

6. Test the lights once they are in place. Then add the ornaments and the other decorations.

Tips & Warnings

• Be safe. Use a heavy duty extension cord and a heavy-duty multiple outlet junction box.
• Turn off lights before you leave the house or retire for the evening. Keep a fire extinguisher near the tree.
• Avoid wrapping the lights around and around the tree or "striping" the lights in vertical rows top to bottom. Neither method gives the tree any dimension.

Resources

• Bronners for Lights, Decorations and Ornaments
• Website for Holiday Decor Ideas
• Christmasdepot.com for Decorating Ideas

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