At the end of the Christmas season one year, I bought a cute pre-lit, 4′ white Christmas tree – for $12!
It had 110 tips, but only 70 lights. I knew it needed more lights. A LOT more. But how did I get the lights and wires to match the white Christmas tree? And how did I get them to stay on year after year?
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may make a very tiny commission if you purchase the product. This is at NO COST to you!
Lights to tree height ratio
When I was a florist and owned my own shop, companies would hire me to do their holiday decorating – so I have a lot of experience turning a skimpy tree into a knock out.
The rule is to have 100 lights per foot of tree height.
So my little 4′ white Christmas tree needed another 400+ lights.
I ended up taking the existing 70 lights off first, because they weren’t put on the way I like. And then I took off to the store to get more lights!
When all the lights have green wire
When I got to the store, I could only find lights with green wires that are normally used for Christmas trees. But after poking around, I found icicle lights – the ones with white lights and white wires. I’ve never used these before to light a tree, but they actually worked out great!
How to light a white Christmas tree – like a pro!
1. Cut a big pile of white twist-ties into 2″ lengths. These will hold the wires in place. The good thing about this method of adding lights is that they can be left on the tree year after year! At the end of the season, I put a large, plastic trash bag over the tree and store it in the attic until next year.
2. Plug in the first strand of lights and make sure they all work. Leave them plugged in while you work, since that will help you see how they look on the tree.
3. I bent the very top of the tree over in half, since it was a little too long. If you will be using a tree topper, put that on first to determine how much space it takes up on the top. Now start at the top with the lights, and secure with a twist-tie.
4. Wind the strand of lights around the “trunk” of the tree. You want the tree to be lit from the center outward. This gives the tree incredible depth and fullness.
5. When you get to an “icicle” on the strand, wind it from the trunk outward on a branch, and secure the end with a twist-tie.
Click here for a quick video to show the wrapping.
6. Keep going until you get to the plug of the first strand of lights. Plug in the next set of lights, and keep the plugs close to the center of the tree so they are hidden. Try to keep all the plugs on the same side of the tree if you can.
White Christmas tree with lights – unlit
Lights – all lit up
Using the icicle lights took a few more strands than I originally thought, due to the way the icicle strands were spaced on the main wire. I ended up using 5 boxes of 100 lights AND still had to add the original strand of 70 lights to finish the bottom!
So this little 4′ white Christmas tree now has 570 lights.
Before and after:
The tree is decorated to coordinate with the colors of the room, which is brown, white and chartreuse.
I also used the white twist-ties instead of hooks to attach the ornaments, so the whole thing will be stored as-is at the end of the season.
I found little white birds to put on the tree, but there was no place on them for a hook or tie – so I got out the glue gun and glued them to the tips of the branches!
Doesn’t that look pretty?
To get a tree and decorations like these, click here.