1. Get the right sized tree stand. We tried to make our old tree stand work but the tree was unstable. We went up to Lowe's and got one a better fit for our taller tree. What we picked {HERE}
2. Once Simon trimmed the trunk and placed it in the stand, I let it settle in for a day or so so the limbs could fall some. (Notice my nieces in bathing suits...in late November. Florida kiddos)
3. Lights. I found a lot of recommendations online about how many lights to use. Generally, online sites recommend that you use one 100-light strand for every foot of tree height. At the stores near me, lights are sold in 150 and 200-light packages. Green coated wires are a must to hide them in the tree. Lighting techniques vary from winding around the tree like a cone to separating the tree in "triangle sections" to wrapping individual limbs. I ended up using five 200-light strings.
4. This tip I found online and it was so helpful. Place your largest ornaments on first to help cover bare spots. This was great advice. I also hung my heaviest ornaments which also helped fill in some bare spots. Here are some close-ups of my ornaments.
5. When placing the rest of the ornaments, spread out your colors. I used red, silver and white ornaments so I did my best to use them in combinations of three at a time, using one of each color.
6. My last piece was my tree topper. I have a couple glass options to top the tree but ended up going with a medium sized bow that had hanging ribbons. I could stand to upsize my bow if I come across something I like. Here is a shot of the nearly finished tree. I still have a train to add around the base and of course, gifts!
3. Lights. I found a lot of recommendations online about how many lights to use. Generally, online sites recommend that you use one 100-light strand for every foot of tree height. At the stores near me, lights are sold in 150 and 200-light packages. Green coated wires are a must to hide them in the tree. Lighting techniques vary from winding around the tree like a cone to separating the tree in "triangle sections" to wrapping individual limbs. I ended up using five 200-light strings.
4. This tip I found online and it was so helpful. Place your largest ornaments on first to help cover bare spots. This was great advice. I also hung my heaviest ornaments which also helped fill in some bare spots. Here are some close-ups of my ornaments.
5. When placing the rest of the ornaments, spread out your colors. I used red, silver and white ornaments so I did my best to use them in combinations of three at a time, using one of each color.
6. My last piece was my tree topper. I have a couple glass options to top the tree but ended up going with a medium sized bow that had hanging ribbons. I could stand to upsize my bow if I come across something I like. Here is a shot of the nearly finished tree. I still have a train to add around the base and of course, gifts!
7. Lastly, what to do with those broken ornaments. Well, I seem to get a few each year that break somehow. Mostly, the hanging portion breaks off making it impossible to hang. I gathered up my bunch of broken pieces and swapped out my centerpiece apples arrangement for a seasonal look with the spare/broken ornaments and a few small pine cones. Cute huh?! Merry Christmas!
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