We've Been Lighting Our Christmas Trees All Wrong—Here's What to Do

05.12.2023 - 11:07 / thespruce.com / Sophia Beams

This year, you may want to rethink the way you’ve been stringing your Christmas tree lights. If you’re tired of the hassle of walking in endless circles around your tree to string up your lights, why not try lighting your tree vertically instead? This easy Christmas tree hack will help you save time—and, more importantly, save you the struggle of running 800 mini-laps while your family watches). 

The concept of vertically lighting your tree may sound strange at first, but the end result is practically indistinguishable from wrapping the lights horizontally. The string lights will still be wrapped around each tree branch, leaving the lights in the same place as they would have been otherwise. But vertical tree lighting has a key secret that might actually help you create a more full, even end result. 

Typical horizontal lighting involves laying the string lights on top of the tree’s branches. Unfortunately, this means that, if your tree has large gaps or spaces between each layer of branches, your lights might wind up looking sparse. This will only draw more attention to any areas where your tree isn’t at its fullest.

Enter vertical string lighting, and all you’ll need to do is arrange your string lights vertically instead of wrapping them around the tree. To do this, take your string of lights and start at the base of your tree. Secure the lights to one of the bottom branches and work your way directly upwards from there, laying and crossing the string lights over various branches as you go to make sure the lights stay in place. 

Once you reach the top of the tree, move over slightly and work your way back down, alongside the strand of lights you just placed. Continue this method until you’ve worked your way around