So, you need to get another person to join you in putting Christmas lights on a large outdoor tree. Approved. Rectangular bush shapes are also common abutting walls or stairs, which often means only the front side and top side of the hedgerow are visible. For smaller shrubs, zip cord and inline female vampire plugs can create a clean lighting solution. An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. There is such a thing as too many blow up figures, deer and other lawn ornaments. Once you've wrapped the tree, tuck the strands farther in on the branches to make room for ornaments. Running an extension cord through a hole or a window or door is a fire hazard and a code violation in most places. This works for strands with 6-inch spacing, which we recommend using to achieve a fuller look. String Light Wrapped Trees Your hedges, shrubs and front yard bushes are the perfect canvas for Christmas lights. To give your Christmas tree a professional look, string them a little randomly, to give your lights a more organic, natural feel. To follow this tree lighting technique, divide the tree vertically into three sections (think trunk to tip) and string the lights by section. Continue repositioning the lights as you work your way up the tree. There's good debate over real versus artificial Christmas trees. If your bushes or hedges extend across a larg part of your yard and will require multiple net lights, you can create custom themes by alternating light colors on every other bush or every two bushes. 5 Tips for Keeping a Real Tree Alive, Real vs. Bushes manicured to taper at the top often take on a conical appearance, which makes them naturally look like an ornamental shape. Follow the advice below based on your type of bushes and desired effect to ensure your net lights installation process is a cinch! By using stacked plugs, you can join more strands than you can with end-to-end plugs. Due to their long and narrow design, column wraps are also referred to as ribbon wraps. Net lights have end-to-end connectors, plug them into one another as you go to avoid searching for the ends later and having to use multiple extension cords! Below are three different ways to put lights on an artificial Christmas tree. When hanging Christmas tree lights on a tree, you should plan on using 100 lights for every foot of your tree's height. Be sure you have outdoor electrical sockets to plug into when you use outdoor Christmas lights. Not only will this tell you if the lights are working, but it will also give you an idea of how the bushes will look while you are wrapping them. When these bushes flank walkways or flower beds they are usually visible from multiple sides, which is important to note. *Shipping outside the continental 48 United States and over-sized items requiring truck shipping will incur additional shipping fees. They don't produce heat and are entirely safe to decorate your tree. how many lights you need for your Christmas tree. Step 6 Only use lights with the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) label; be sure you're using lights designed specifically for outdoor use. Conclusion. It's simple, but it makes a lot of difference by covering your tree in lights instead of lassoing it. With some patience and a bit of creativity, you'll have a house that outshines all the others. Carry the cord over to the next branch, wrap it around a green near the trunk, and pull it out to the tip. Removable tacky clay is available at reputable craft or hardware stores. Add a splash of color and a festive feel to the outside of your home during the holiday season with Christmas lights. Starting from the base, string the lights in an upside-down V shape (or triangle) to section off the first area you want to fill with lights. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 834,107 times. All you need to do is wrap a few loops of miniature Christmas lights around the plants, and that should be enough to provide gentle heat to the plants. Note! Limit the number of times you go up and down the ladder, but do not lean to reach anything. The fullness of a fresh-cut tree is hard to replicate in an artificial tree, but one could complain about the regular waterings. While nails, screws and other metallic fasteners seem an easy answer, they are conductors of electricity, they rust, and they put holes into your structure. Large Christmas lights can make a tree look like its taken right out of a holiday movie. When installing a net light, take the time to pull branches and leaves through the holes in the net to set the lights a bit further back into the bush. "The trick is to go up and down, not around and around," says David Stark, co-owner of Avi Adler, a Brooklyn floral and event design company. Place the lid on the Pringles can. 1. Avoid large globe and bulb lights unless youre decorating a very large bush. For example, if you have several bushes along your driveway, in front of your home and in the center of your yard, covering everything may be overwhelming, yet lighting the perimeter bushes and one larger shrub in the center is often just enough. No matter which direction youre hanging lights, you need to prepare the tree first. If you need a little adhesion, space and hide small pieces of removable tacky clay behind the string garland. Work any extra lights back along the branch rather than crossing the section. Keep it neat. Depending on how tall your tree trunks are, you may want to wrap your larger trees with string lights instead. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Be careful not to cross the cord over itself. Once the section is filled in with Christmas lights, its easy to make adjustments to evenly space them out. To wrap a branch, start near the trunk then move towards the outside of the tree; move to the next branch then wrap going back in towards the trunk. Step 1: Pick a mild winter day and start hanging Christmas lights mid-morning while there's plenty of daylight left to burn. Before you purchase lights, measure the bushes, both the height and the widest point, to determine how many light strings you'll need to complete your design. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. How to put lights on a Christmas tree: the vertical method. This article has been viewed 834,107 times. Visit our guide on how to wrap trees with string lights to find out more about this method. If you're a Christmas lights novice, light just two or three items, such as trees or bushes, to serve as focal points. Learn more Time to deck the halls, walls, mantles, and trees, and best of all, hang up the Christmas lights! Follow the same procedure for subdued lighting, but add dimension to your tree's sparkle by looping the strings a couple of times around on each branch, getting some of the lights closer to the trunk. However, what many people don't consider is the method of lighting bushes and shrubs from the inside to create a pleasing glow without having to worry about the pattern and uniformity on the outside. 6. If you have a branch that's drooping or unattractive, simply remove it by clipping it from behind with a pair of florist shears. We like to use 100-light strands because they are easy to work with as you wrap the tree branches. Christmas tree lights can either be end-to-endaka string-to-stringor stacked. Use mini lights to create a classic look on your bushes. Purchase S-shaped gutter hooks at the home improvement store, and hang them up by pressing the top part of the S Creating a magical glow of lights on an artificial tree isn't difficult, but it demands patience. Haphazard, messy Christmas light displays are the direct result of opening a box of lights and tossing them up without thought. Easy to Install - Place or hang the net lights on trees, bushes, grass or any other occasions, easy to use as bright and beautiful decorations. Compare products Related reviews. This method can be time consuming and involves tedious work to ensure even light distribution. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. How To Decorate Outside Bushes With Christmas Lights - YouTube 0:00 / 6:31 How To Decorate Outside Bushes With Christmas Lights 4,139 views Nov 6, 2018 8 Dislike Share Save Design. Before you get started, always check your lights first by plugging them in, because one malfunctioning light can dim the rest of the string. Take care to keep each net light facing the same direction as the one before it when wrapping your bushes and avoid overlap as much as possible to prevent a heavy concentration of lights in some areas. When purchasing your lights, make sure to purchase lights that can be used outdoors. So you can either start at the top of a bush and wrap the Christmas lights around each bush or you can start on one side and wrap them over the top. Use 12 boxes of 100-light strands for a 6-foot tree and 16 boxes for an 8-foot tree. Make a Diagram. Step 2. Remember when putting Christmas Lights on a bush you can never put too many lights on a bush. In this case, 92% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Instead, use plastic gutter clips that hook onto the gutter and hold the wire tightly. If necessary, plug more strands of lights into the previous strands of lights. For a classic but bright look, we like to use LED lights like these warm, clear LED mini Christmas lights ($17, Target). Then its a simple matter of zigzagging your lights (vertically or horizontally) from one end of the section to the other, flooding the tree with light in the way thats most appealing to you. (The railing has baked on enamel paint.). Step 5 Extend the other two corners so the web lights are not hanging loosely, and attach the corner loops around branches at the two other corners of the bush. In this guide you'll discover the basics of net lights, installation advice for your project and alternative options for wrapping trees and bushes with lights. Zip Cord: https://www.christmasdesigners.com/installation-essentials/electrical-supplies/zip-cord.html Vampire Plugs: https://www.christmasdesigners.com/installation-essentials/electrical-supplies/plugs.html And with a few helpful tips, you can install foliage lighting like a pro. Remove the holiday headache of putting Christmas lights on your tree with this guide. If your tree trunks measure larger than 2' wide, net lights typically measure 4' x 6' and can be used for wrapping larger trees. Begin stringing the lights at the bottom of the bush. Separate the cord again when you reach the trunk, and slip it over a branchlet to secure it. String Lights for Wrapping Bushes. Bend the loose ends of the wire towards the back of the tree to prevent any injuries. Our Recommendation: Wintergreen Lighting Multicolor Christmas Lights Set Get it on Amazon for $18.49. Wrap the cord around every green as you work back along the branch. Refer to the quick references below on which net light or wrap is best for creating trunk lights based on the size of your tree. However, if they were selected as labeled "for outdoor use" and installed properly, this should not be an issue. If you choose to use string lights instead of net lights for wrapping bushes, your knee jerk reaction might be to wrap around the outside of your bush, which is most common. Popular color combinations include red and white for candy cane themes, blue and white for winter wonderland designs featuring snowflake motifs and red and green to complement classic Christmas lights. Many times, people make the mistake of putting their lights on the Christmas tree haphazardly, crossing strands to form a wire net that's nearly impossible to remove. Need more proof that this tactic is the way to go? This will prevent precipitation from collecting on the plugs and in the sockets, eliminating the risk of electrical shortages or fire. These ribbon nets can be placed like a swirl of lights around your bushes from the base to the tip, which adds a great decorative flare. Wrap lights around the tree branches. Don't Take Down Your Christmas Tree Until January 6Here's Why, How to Decorate a Christmas Tree in 3 Easy Steps, 4. Pass the ball of lights around the tree trunk, leaving space to wrap back down if desired. Yes, that is fine, as long as the lights and cords have a good insulator, such as plastic, or rubber. Hiring an electrician to install an outdoor outlet with a cover costs $200 to $275. When putting Christmas lights on a tree vertically, the first step is very similar to placing the lights horizontally. Consider a subtler approach by focusing your warm lights on garland, wreaths, nativity scenes, and other Christmas displays. Leave the Christmas lights on while you decorate, so you can better control the spacing between the bulbs. Then, weave the tree lights back and forth across the triangle. Continue to zigzag up and down the tree. Elizabeth Berry is a fact checker with extensive experiencing confirming product features, subscription services, factual information, and more across lifestyle verticals. Next up, here's how to wrap tree branches with Christmas lights: The addition of string lights also presents a fun opportunity to customize your bush lighting. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Christmas lights, of course! 2. To create a glow from within your bushes and shrubs, simply tuck string lights inside the greenery instead of laying them on the outside. To learn about more types of Christmas lights for both indoor and outdoor applications, be sure to read 26 Types of Christmas Lights for All of Your Holiday Displays. Separate the cord again when you reach the trunk, and slip it over a branchlet to secure it. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Icicle lights tend to get lost in bushes and work best as an option for the eaves of your home. Why do my Christmas lights keep knocking off my power? Some people prefer to put their lights up in vertical lines - the result is a more formal-looking lit tree that resembles the trees you see in chic hotels. Decorative String Light Ideas and How to Plug Them In, How to Decorate Columns on a Front Porch for Christmas, How to clean a showerhead, according to an expert, How to Wrap Plants in Burlap to Create Windscreens. To get an outdoor lighting specialist of your very own, call Hiller today. If you have an exterior outlet somewhere on the house, install your extension cord from the outlet to the roof line keeping the cord as close to the building as possible. Again, work your way from the bottom of the tree to the top. Christmas lights come in all shapes and sizes, but not all of them work for bushes. You may be keen on outdoor christmas lights on bushes in 2023. To stay informed.https://www.christmaslightshelp.com/stayinformedHELPFUL RESOURCES FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTSHOW TO MAKE EXTENSION CORDShttps://youtu.be/HUJm4NiaqykHow We Install Christmas Lights Using The Goat Steep Assisthttps://youtu.be/0_AI1p_mQwITOOLS NEEDED TO HANG CHRISTMAS LIGHTShttps://www.christmaslightshelp.com/ToolsCHRISTMAS LIGHTS SUPPLIEShttps://www.christmaslightshelp.com/suppliesHave Any Questions?https://www.christmaslightshelp.com/askjason#ChristmasLights #ChristmasLightsInstall #ChristmasLightsCommunity #JasonGeiman #ChristmaslightsBusiness But, according to this amazing TikTok video, we can put all that hard work behind us. Payment is made through PayPal.com. These easy-to-follow tips will show you how to put lights on your Christmas tree, whether a real tree (here's how to pick the best one) or an artificial tree. here are a few tips for putting up Christmas lights on a large outdoor tree. Taylor Senn. If your goal is the same, a few preparatory steps taken before you begin wrapping your bushes will guarantee a flawless finish. She has worked on content at Southern Living and Better Homes & Gardens, among other lifestyle outlets. 1. Strings, strings and more strings of lights around every architectural feature of the house will enhance its stature, making your home the neighborhood beacon of holiday cheer. As more strings of lights are needed, connect them once youve used up the current string of Christmas lights. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. To create this article, 48 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. You'll learn two different ways of hanging Christmas lights in the trees in your yard for your computerized Christmas light show. Real Christmas trees require a day to naturally settle after being placed in their stand. Plug in your Christmas lights, change out any burnt out or broken bulbs, and prepare the strings of lights in coils that unravel easily. Scroll through to learn about the different types of net lights and how to use them, or click on the specific topic you're hoping to learn more about to be taken to the section you need! You'll learn two different ways of hanging Christmas lights in the trees in your yard for your computerized. Please contact customer service. After your net light installation is complete, plug your lights into an outlet and step back to verify that the light pattern is as you want it. Its simple to put lights on a Christmas tree properly; all you need is a guide (or a little Christmas magic!). Once the lights and wires are hidden inside your bushes, turn your lights on and make adjustments as necessary if you notice any dark spots. If you are only going to light the front of the bush, place the lights at the bottom of the bush and string them up and down along the front of the bush, forming a wave pattern. Stay safe. To make your tree really wow, double the number of lights to 200 per foot of tree. We'll show you how to hang lights on a real Christmas treeit just requires a little patience. Use coupon code FiveOffSpecial to receive $5 off of your order! Trust us: It's easier than you think to light up a Christmas tree correctly! All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. The structured grid pattern design of net lights is very convenient for decorators who desire clean, uniform lighting. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Depending on the home's size and types of lights, you may need more than one outlet installed. Vertical wrapping also prevents overuse of lights, as fewer bulbs are needed to create a result similar to placing Christmas lights horizontally. When putting Christmas lights on a tree vertically, the first step is very similar to placing the lights. Many artificial Christmas trees come in sections that open like an umbrella. Wrapping Larger Tree Trunks with Net Lights. This prevents power surges while prolonging the life of the bulbs. When you just light the bushes, they can appear to be floating in the yard, which isnt always the desired effect. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. If you want to light the front and back of the bush, wrap the lights around the bush in a spiral formation, moving from the back to the front and wrapping the lights upward as you go. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. That can prove to be quite a task when you're anywhere under 5'7. Most net lights can be connected end to end and with LED net lights you can often connect numerous net lights together, which means you can outfit a large hedgerow utilizing only one plug outlet. Do one step of the project to its completion before you begin the next phase. "The lights are literally wrapped around the branch as . Thus, net lights were born! And all it takes is three simple steps. Repeat step 2 to add lights to the remaining sections of the Christmas tree. By using our site, you agree to our. 5. LED lights are more bright and energy efficient than older style Christmas lights. Excludes Giant Everest trees and commercial decorations. Christmas Lights 8.69K subscribers Subscribe 175 46K views 3 years ago So you can either start at the top of a bush and wrap the Christmas lights around each bush or you can start on one. Use six boxes of 100-light strands for a 6-foot. If you need to wrap bushes, trees or columns, net lights have you covered! This provides a very clean light pattern and is one of the easiest ways to accentuate your foliage shapes whether it be for Christmas, weddings or to create a festive outdoor space any time. How to put Christmas Lights on bushes - YouTube Learn how to put Christmas Lights on bushes. If you have any extra lights once you reach the top, you can start winding them back down the tree or adjust the lower lights to ensure the string of lights ends at the top. When installing a net light, take the time to pull branches and. For thicker bushes, start with one set of lights further back and another in front of the first set for complete illumination. To maximize the impact of this technique, we like to use large lights like these globe string lights ($42, Overstock) or retro-inspired bubble lights. You dont want wind, birds, small animals, or Santa to knock them off! A dead zone of lights occurs when you connect one string of lights to another: Hide the unsightly green plug by pushing it deep into the branches. Use small cable ties or wind excess cord around the trunk to keep it in place and hide it from view. And with a few helpful tips, you can install foliage lighting like a pro. As a general rule of thumb, every foot of tree should have approximately 100 mini lights or 50 larger lights, but this number is flexible based on your brightness preferences, so adjust accordingly. What are some tips for installing an outdoor outlet on your home? Always make sure you can climb down easily. RELATED: Everything but the Tree: Our 12 Favorite Wreaths, Garlands, and Other Christmas Greenery. By connecting the strands of lights to inline plugs and a single line of zip cord, the strands are powered without any distracting light strings between the bushes. Bell studied English composition and literature at the University of Boston and the University of Maryland. LED lights cost more up front but are more energy-efficient and longer-lasting than traditional lights. Nothing is more disappointing than wrapping your tree in lights to later discover they dont work. Remember when putting Christmas Lights on a bush you can. String lights by starting the string at the bottom of the tree and pulling it up to the top, then back down like a mountain. Even then, opt for strings of lights where the globe or bubble is spaced farther apart on the wire. Many people put lights on their Christmas tree horizontally because thats how they learned to do it. Best Way to Hang Vertical Christmas Tree Lights, 100+ Unbelievable Cyber Monday Amazon Deals on Home, Fashion, and More, How Many Feet of Christmas Lights You Need for Every Tree Height. Also, with the lights plugged in, you already know that the cord reaches the power outlet, eliminating the need to re-wrap the tree or use an extension cord. 3. When you cant reach the next position, move the ladder. Net light sets can be connected end to end and wrapped either vertically or horizontally on these types of shapes, however, we recommend you hang them like curtain panels vertically around the bush to avoid a heavy concentration of lights at the top. First, make sure that it's ground-fault protected, weather-resistant and tamper-resistant. Wherever you see dark holes on the tree, rearrange the lights to fill them in. Using the yardstick or measuring tape and your Sharpie, make a mark about every three inches up the length of the trunk. Teach You Everything You Need to Know How To Successful Start And Run A Christmas Lighting Company https://www.christmaslightshelp.com/TrainingJoin our mailing list today! If you're the tech-savvy type who likes to control everything with an app, you're in luck. Take several photos of your yard and use them to create a plan regarding which bushes to decorate and which to leave empty. Avoid the headache that can come with decorating an indoor or outdoor tree by following our step-by-step instructions that properly explain how to put lights on a Christmas tree.