| Lights on a tree can represent so many | | | | multi-socket extension cord. You can buy these at |
| wonderful things about the holiday season. The | | | | any home improvement or hardware store. |
| sight of a family sitting around a Christmas tree, | | | | These holiday hookups allow you to plug multiple |
| the only light in the room, while listening to the | | | | strands of lights to one cord and control them |
| Nutcracker Suite and drinking hot chocolate. It | | | | through one switch. They generally make them in |
| seems like a fairy tale, but that's what the season | | | | green but they're also available in white for white |
| is about; indulging our winter fantasies through | | | | artificial trees. Attach the cord up and down the |
| festive décor and traditions. | | | | trunk of the tree with twine or pipe cleaner. |
| Many people choose clear or white lights because | | | | IMPORTANT: Be sure to read the light |
| they complement any color scheme or tree | | | | manufacturer's instructions on strand plug on limits. |
| theme. Multicolored lights definitely give a festive | | | | Grab a string of lights and start at the top of the |
| look and single colored lights like red or blue also | | | | tree. Plug the strand into the outlet near the top. |
| go well with certain themes. Lights should be the | | | | Starting at the base of a branch, wrap the cord |
| first thing placed on a tree. Before you start to | | | | around the branch. Continue until you reach the |
| decorate, pull the tree away from the wall or | | | | tip, then wrap back towards the base. You don't |
| furniture so you can walk completely around it | | | | have to wrap it super tight, just enough to give |
| without obstruction. | | | | the branch a sufficient glow without obstructing or |
| How many lights do I need? | | | | crushing the individual branches, and at the same |
| A good estimate of how many lights you'll need is | | | | time, hiding the wires well. As you work back |
| to use the measurement of 100 lights for each | | | | toward the base, you can wrap around a few |
| foot of the tree. So for a 7ft tree, you'll want no | | | | individual branches. When you hit the base start |
| less than 700 lights. 100 strand light sets work | | | | on a new branch. You don't need to wrap every |
| best for most people. Always plan to pick up an | | | | single branch either (this would take a ton of lights |
| extra set of lights in case of shortage or | | | | and probably make the tree look like it was on |
| burnout...you would hate to find yourself beginning | | | | fire rather than beautifully lit!). Just make sure you |
| your tree trimming and have to postpone it to | | | | are consistent with your spacing from top to |
| run to the store for more lights! | | | | bottom. Step back and take a look at the tree to |
| Stringing the lights | | | | see where there may be gaps. It's even easier to |
| Of course, test the lights before you begin. Plug in | | | | string with an artificial tree, as you can string as |
| each strand to make sure everything's a go and | | | | you assemble and position the branches. Using this |
| keep them plugged in as you decorate. It's much | | | | technique will give your tree dimension and depth |
| easier to string and place them correctly when | | | | and make it look like it's lit from within! |
| they're lit. One of the best ways to achieve that | | | | Enjoy your lit tree. Memories are only a light |
| "lit from inside" tree is to wrap lights around select | | | | strand away... |
| branches. Start by purchasing a light controller - a | | | | |