How to Hang Christmas Lights on a Christmas Tree

Ages ago, light played a symbolic role in ceremonies marking the winter solstice. During the time of year when nights were long and menacing, bonfires, candles and lamplight represented the comfort of home, the promise of safety and the hope for renewed life in spring.

Eventually, Christianity absorbed pagan mid-winter practices, but lights continued to represent reassurance, solace and new life.

As evergreens became part of the Christmas celebration, people lit their Christmas trees with small candles. This was a dangerous practice, performed under watchful eyes and with a bucket of sand nearby in case of sparks.

The invention of electricity made the practice of lighting a Christmas tree much safer, and colored light bulbs increased the appeal.

These days, we have many ways to light our Christmas trees, from old-fashioned big bulbs to classic incandescent string lights to modern LEDs.

Many artificial Christmas trees come with the lights already installed. Alternatively, you can create your own look with less conventional lighting options like bubble lights, berry lights, firework branches, fairy lights and Christmas-themed string lights.

Aside from pondering what style of Christmas lights to use, people are sometimes unsure about how to determine the right number of lights.

For a well-lit Christmas tree, most Christmas decorators recommend using 100 lights for every foot of tree height. That’s 700 lights for a 7-foot tree, or seven 100-light strings.

Be aware that pre-lit Christmas trees tend to have fewer lights than this decorating rule suggests. If you like a well-lit tree, you may prefer to add more.

On the other hand, some people consider the 100 bulbs per foot height formula arbitrary and optional, favoring a gently-lit Christmas tree with fewer lights.

Logically, you might base your preference on the ideal number of lights for your tree on the size of the bulb or light and your personal style.

For instance, you may prefer to use those large and colorful C7 and C9 bulbs more sparingly than twinkly white mini lights. Similarly, since LED Christmas lights are brighter than incandescent Christmas lights, you may want fewer lights on your Christmas tree. For a really bright and sparkly tree, feel free to add more!

Keep in mind the electrical needs (add link to technical light info when available) of the type and number of lights. You may need to plug your lights into more than one outlet or use a power strip to prevent a potential electrical overload.

Lights are the first decorations you hang on your Christmas tree, but stringing them up often can be the most difficult and time-consuming part of the decorating process.

To save yourself some frustration, inspect and test your lights before hanging them. Check the cords for wear and replace any burned-out bulbs and frayed or damaged strings.

Now you’re ready to hang the Christmas lights. There are several methods for putting lights on a Christmas tree.

Spiral method: Begin at the top of the tree. If you use a lighted tree topper, start with the female plug end of your light string. Gradually work from the tip, down and around the tree. Lay some lights on the outer branches and tuck some lights deeper toward the trunk for visual depth.

Vertical method: Start at the top of the tree. Remember to use the correct end of the light strand if your tree topper has lights. String lights loosely from top to bottom and back again in an up-and-down zigzag pattern while you move around the tree. Tuck some lights in a little deeper as you go.

Quadrant method: This lighting method works well for larger trees that require multiple strings of lights. Check the specifications on your Christmas lights to determine how many strands you can safely connect and don’t exceed the recommendations.

Visually divide the tree into quarters. Work your lights in a horizontal zigzag pattern from top to bottom over the first quarter of the tree, making sure the plug end falls near the base. Hang lights the same way for the other three quadrants of your Christmas tree. Thread the final few feet of light cord through the lowest branches toward one side of the tree so all cords can be plugged into the same power strip or extension cord.

Before hanging ornaments, turn on the lights to check the effect. Are there enough lights for your taste? Are they evenly distributed throughout the tree?

Make adjustments as needed. Separate areas where lights are bunched and fill in any sparsely lit spots.

If you want to completely avoid the task of putting lights on your tree, consider the simple aesthetic of an unlit Christmas tree.

Or take a closer look at our extensive line of pre-lit artificial Christmas trees and set up your tree worry-free year after year!

Newer models like our Real™ Touch Elite realistic Christmas trees offer fun lighting modes that twinkle or chase, plus the option to switch from all white to soft color or multicolor lights with the press of a button.

White and serene, colorful and vivid, or flashing and twinkling, Christmas lights add a special dimension to our holiday festivities. They light our Christmas trees, brighten our outdoor spaces and enhance our interior decor.

Before you hang your Christmas lights, take time to explore all the different varieties available and choose a style that reflects the joy you feel in the season.

You’re also welcome to browse our Christmas Resource Guide for information on light styles, technical information and decorating outdoors with Christmas lights.

Find more helpful information here:

Christmas Light History and Types

How to Decorate Your Christmas Tree in 6 Simple Steps