Hang your Christmas tree lights like a pro

One of the most cherished moments of the holidays is decorating the tree with twinkling string Christmas lights. This year, why not take your tree decorating game to the next level with Twinkly smart LED lights? In this article, we’ll explore the best way to put string lights on your Christmas tree for the most visually stunning results. 

Decorating your tree with Christmas Lights is a long-standing tradition for many during the holiday season. With careful planning and the right tools, you can turn a household custom into a magical moment for all to enjoy.

With Twinkly smart Christmas lights, the magical experience of decorating your tree continues long after the tree is finished. Change themes and decorative animations at any time. These app-controlled Christmas lights allow anyone to play complex, customizable effects that shine in over 16 million vibrant colors with a few simple taps on their smartphone screen using the Twinkly app.

Gather your smart LED lights, prepare your tree, and turn on some holiday music to make the mood merry. Embrace the spirit of the season with a beautifully illuminated Christmas tree that reflects your unique style.

Here are the steps for perfectly decorating your tree with smart LED lights.

1. Gather your supplies

Before starting the decorating process, ensure you have everything you need. Plan on using approximately 100 Christmas lights per foot of tree height for a densely illuminated result and smooth animated effects. Click to check out Twinkly's LED calculator, it will tell you exactly how many smart LED bulbs you need for your Christmas tree.

Choose lights like Twinkly Strings or Twinkly Candies Candles, which easily string around your tree, providing an even, natural smart LED light placement.

Twinkly String lights are the ultimate classic. Twinkly lights offer different lengths, from 100 LEDs (8 meters) to 600 LEDs (48 meters). Wire colors vary from green, black and clear. For Christmas trees, green is the best option. Twinkly String light plug directly into a power outlet. 

Twinkly Candies Candles  are LED string lights with candle-shaped bulbs that enhance a Christmas vibe. They are lightweight and USB-C powered string led lights, making them ultra-portable. If you need to plug them into a power outlet, make sure you have the correct power adapter as the plug is not included. They are available in two lengths – 100 or 200 LEDs – and you can choose from a clear or green wire.

Test each strand by plugging them in to ensure they are all in working order. This simple step saves you from the frustration of discovering any problems midway through decorating.

Also, make sure to fluff out the branches of your artificial tree. If you are using a real tree, ensure it is firmly secured in its stand. This ensures a fuller appearance and provides ample space to nestle the smart LED lights within the branches.

2. Put up your Christmas lights

Experts recommend a systematic approach to installing Christmas tree lights to ensure an even, beautiful, and safe display. 

Start from the bottom of the tree and work your way up. This technique prevents the lights from tangling and makes it easier to control the distribution of LED lights across the tree. It’s wise to begin near the power source to minimize cord visibility across the room.

Add more depth to your Christmas lighting and create a more enchanting ambiance by using a layering technique: Wrap the lights around the trunk initially and then move outwards to the tips of the branches. Ensure the smart LED lights are evenly spaced to avoid clumping in one area and use green floral wire or light clips to secure them if necessary.

Alternatively, try the vertical sections method by dividing the tree into vertical sections. Work up and down each section, moving the lights from branch to branch. This approach also allows for adjustments and ensures a balanced distribution of LEDs throughout the tree.

Periodically step back to assess your progress and make any necessary adjustments for even LED lighting. Tuck any excess cords into the tree to maintain a neat appearance and keep them out of sight.

If you have more than one string of Twinkly smart LED lights, you can group them after installation, so that they behave like one single string of lights. Wrap the first string around the tree starting from the bottom and working your way up toward the middle. Then start with the second string, wrapping the tree from the middle upwards.

3. Unlock the magic with the Twinkly App

Once your lights are Twinkly Christmas lights are installed, unlock their full potential with the Twinkly app. This app maps out your LED lights, easily creating custom lighting effects for your tree. Play even the most intricate animations with just a tap of the app, design your own effects, create effect playlists, set timers, and group any twinkly lights to make your entire home shine with a coordinated color display.

The mapping process only takes a few seconds. All you have to do is frame your display using your smartphone camera. The app communicates with the lights, locating each LED smart lights and placing it on a map on your screen.

Are you using more than one strand of Twinkly string lights? Map them separately, and then group them together using the app. Opt for a “Join Group” that will make your LEDs act like a single display.  Click here to read about the amazing capabilities of the Twinkly app.

Looking for inspiration to decorate your Christmas tree with smart lights, read our article on the best and brightest Christmas tree trends for 2024.