How to Put Lights on My Tree If I Can Only Connect Three Sets of Christmas Lights End to End

When stringing lights onto a large tree, you will need multiple outlets.

Most types of Christmas lights have the traditional plug on one end of the string and an electrical socket at the other end. This allows you to connect another string of lights to the end of the first string, which simplifies the process of stringing lights on the tree. However, for safety reasons, you should never connect more than three strings of lights, or 300 bulbs, end-to-end. If you plan to use more than 300 lights, which you likely will if your tree is more than 5 feet tall, you will not be able to plug all your light strings together end-to-end.

Things You'll Need

• Extension cords

Instructions

1. Plug the first string of lights into an electrical outlet near the Christmas tree.

2. Wrap the lights around the branches of the tree, starting at the bottom branches and working your way around and up.

3. Plug a second string of lights into the end of the first when you run out of lights on the first string. When the second string is done, plug a third string into the end of the second and continue wrapping the lights around the tree.

4. Hide the end of your third string of lights somewhere in the center of the tree. Do not plug a fourth string into the socket at the end of the third string.

5. Plug the fourth string of lights into the other socket in the electrical outlet on the wall.

6. Run the fourth string of lights up the center of the Christmas tree until you get to the point where your third string ended. Wrap the fourth string of lights around the branches.

7. Plug the fifth string into the end of the fourth, and plug the sixth string into the end of the fifth.

8. Plug an extension cord into another outlet in the room where your Christmas tree is located and run it along the wall to the back of the Christmas tree. Plug the seventh string of lights into this extension cord, and plug the eighth and ninth strings together into the seventh string.

9. Repeat with other extension cords as needed, plugging three sets of lights together end-to-end for each extension cord.

Tips & Warnings

• You will need approximately 400 to 700 lights for a tree measuring 6 to 7 feet tall; 700 to 1,000 lights for 7.5 to 8.5 feet; and 1,000 to 1,300 lights for 9 to 10 feet. If your tree is taller than 10 feet, you will likely need upwards of 1,500 lights.

References

• Lowe's: How to Decorate a Christmas Tree