There's an Easier Way to Put Lights on a Christmas Tree—Here's How

If you hate the process of putting lights on your Christmas tree despite loving the results, we have a hunch that you're in the majority. Between tangles, dead bulbs, and pokey evergreen needles, it's a chore that those without a pre-lit tree must endure before getting to the fun part of hanging ornaments.

Most people string lights on their Christmas trees in a horizontal fashion. However, if you haven't tried the reverse method, consider giving it a go this year.

Here's a quick guide on how to put lights on a Christmas tree the easy way: vertically. We've also included some general tree-lighting tips straight from an expert. Happy hall decking!

How to String Lights on a Christmas Tree

You'll find countless tutorials for how to string lights on a Christmas tree using the traditional horizontal stringing method. If you're up for trying something new this year, here's a step-by-step guide on how to use the vertical method. It's quick, requires fewer lights, and you'll also find it's easier to take them down.

1. Take the end of the lights with the input piece and tuck it into the back of the tree at the top (you can use this to plug in your tree topper).
2. Drape the first section of lights along the long end of the tree in a zig-zag or S-shaped pattern, ensuring you don't tuck the lights too deep into the tree during the process.
3. Take the next section of lights and create the same zig-zag shape going up the tree. Make sure you apply the new section right next to the previous section, only leaving about three inches between each column.
4. Repeat the process until your entire tree is glowing. You may need to add an extra set to ensure the last strand reaches the outlet.
   

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Types of Christmas Tree Lights to Try

The types of Christmas lights you use also makes a big impact on the overall look of your Christmas tree. If you've found that your lights have been looking a little lackluster in years past, it might be time to try out a new set.

• Incandescent lights are the lights from your childhood that give off that cozy, warm glow. They have a lower initial cost, but they eat up more energy and don't last as long as LED lights.
• LED lights are more energy efficient than incandescent lights, and you can often find them in a wider range of colors. Look for LED lights that promise a warm glow to harness the nostalgic look of incandescent lights.
• Multi-colored lights are available in both incandescent and LED versions. They add a whimsical and playful look to your Christmas tree display.
• Mini lights are the iconic lights you see most often on Christmas trees.
• Large-bulb Christmas lights show off more of an oversized teardrop shape than mini lights.

How to String Lights for a Minimalist Tree

If you're going for a less-is-more theme to lighting your tree, you won't need to purchase as many stringed lights. Instead of applying each column of lights three inches apart, you can play around with spacing them as far as five inches apart.

However, if you want to be a minimalist with your ornaments, you might want to consider being a maximalist in terms of how many lights you add. If this is the case, only leave one or two inches between the columns.

How to String Lights for Bold Lighting

It's not a crime to want your Christmas lights to be the main statement on your tree. Aside from opting for colorful lights or two different versions of lights, you can try stringing the vertical columns so close that they almost touch.

Additionally, play around with the spacing of the zig-zags. Leave a smaller spacing if you want a brighter tree.

4 Additional Expert Tips and Considerations for Hanging Lights on a Tree

As far as her favorite method goes, designer Patricia Derpinski still opts for the horizontal hanging method, which tends to provide more depth to the tree. Here are some of her tips for nailing the horizontal light-hanging process.

Use a Turn Table Stand

If you always seem to struggle with hanging lights on the backside of your tree, try using a turntable stand. This is especially useful if you're putting your tree in a spot where the backside will be visible, such as in front of a window.

"It’s a game-changer because you can rotate the tree as you add the lights, making it simpler to get even coverage," Derpinski says.

Start From the Base

Starting from the top of your tree is the way to go when stringing lights on a Christmas tree vertically, but you should start from the bottom when using the horizontal hanging method.

"One mistake I often see is starting at the top of the tree, which makes it hard to distribute the lights evenly and can cause tangles," Derpinski says.

Wrap the Lights Around the Branches

As you apply the lights to your tree, wrap them around each branch instead of draping them across the outer edges. However, don't just limit yourself to the edges of the branches.

"Avoid the temptation to string lights only on the surface," Derpinski says. "This misses out on adding depth and sparkle to the inner branches. Wrapping the lights deeper inside the tree creates a warm, glowing effect that feels magical."

Don't Skimp on the Lights

When determining how many lights she needs for a tree, Derpinski has an easy formula she follows: she applies 100 bulbs per foot of tree.

"Using too few lights results in a dim and lackluster appearance," she says.