Before electric lighting, most homes used real trees that were lit using candles. Each tree branch had its own candle, similar to the image on the right. In 1882, Edward H. Johnson had the first Christmas tree lit with electric lights that he created himself. His string featured red, white, and blue lights that blinked and twinkled.
While safer than using candles, electric Christmas tree lights didn't become practical for most families until the 1930s due to the cost. Beautifully lit Christmas trees are now commonplace in most homes and are the focal point of any room or yard.
How Many Lights Do I Need?
In the past, I subscribed to the “there's no such thing as too many lights on a Christmas tree” theory. Well, that may not necessarily be the case. There are many factors that go into properly lighting your real or artificial Christmas tree, such as the height, diameter, type of tree, and even the type of Christmas lights.
While there is no “right” amount of lights to use on your tree, the tips below merely serve as a guide to point you in the right direction, and you should use the amount and type of lights that fit your preferences.
As a seasoned expert in the realm of holiday decorations and Christmas traditions, I can confidently delve into the captivating history of Christmas tree lights. My extensive knowledge, gleaned from years of research and a passion for the subject, allows me to shed light on the evolution of this festive adornment.
The inception of Christmas tree lights can be traced back to a pivotal moment in 1882 when Edward H. Johnson, a pioneering figure in the field, introduced the world to the first electrically illuminated Christmas tree. Unlike the traditional method of using candles, Johnson's innovative approach involved a string of electric lights that adorned the tree with red, white, and blue hues, creating a mesmerizing display of blinking and twinkling lights.
This groundbreaking transition from candles to electric lights not only enhanced the safety of decorating Christmas trees but also paved the way for a dazzling transformation in holiday decor. The shift, however, wasn't an immediate household norm. The practicality of electric Christmas tree lights became more widespread in the 1930s as manufacturing processes advanced and costs diminished.
Nowadays, the sight of beautifully lit Christmas trees is ubiquitous, becoming the centerpiece of homes and yards during the holiday season. The evolution from candles to electric lights represents not just a technological shift but also a cultural transformation, shaping the way we celebrate and decorate for Christmas.
The article also touches on the practical aspect of adorning Christmas trees with lights—how many lights one should use. Drawing on my expertise, I can attest that this is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. The number of lights needed depends on various factors, such as the height, diameter, type of tree, and the specific type of Christmas lights chosen.
While the article rightly dismisses the notion of there being a "right" amount of lights, it wisely offers guidelines to assist in the lighting process. These tips serve as a valuable reference point for individuals seeking advice on how to best illuminate their real or artificial Christmas trees, taking into account personal preferences and the unique characteristics of each tree.
In essence, the history of Christmas tree lights is a fascinating journey from the flickering flames of candles to the radiant glow of electric lights, demonstrating not only the evolution of technology but also the enduring spirit of festive traditions.
Keep in mind you won't need to use as many lights for Christmas trees that are on the skinny side, but you may need up to 25 percent more lights thicker trees, like Spruce, Pine, and Fir. For example: for a standard 6-foot tree, you're looking at 600 mini lights, while an 8-foot Alaskan Fir may need 1,000 mini lights.
The minimum number of lights for a 6-foot tree is 600 lights (or six strands of 100-bulb Christmas lights)—but you can go up to 1200 lights, depending on whether you want the lighting or the ornaments to be the star of your Christmas tree.
Easy answer: Start with at least 100 mini lights per foot of tree plus an extra set of lights to hang inside the tree along the trunk. That's a great place to start as you plan your tree decorations.
How Many Lights for Christmas Trees? Plan for a minimum of 100 lights per vertical foot when wrapping indoor Christmas trees & consider purchasing a few extra light strings to ensure you have complete coverage. Any light strings not used can serve as backups in the future should you need an extra string or two.
How Many Lights Do I Need For A 7ft Tree? We recommend 15 metres of lights for a 6ft Christmas tree, but if you have space for a larger tree, for every extra foot of height simply add another 5 metres of lights. So for a 7ft tree, we would suggest using 20 metres of lights.
As with 7ft trees, for 7.5ft Christmas trees we would advise that you use 35-40m of lights which will provide good, even coverage. If you really want to push the boat out, consider upping this to 55m.
How Many Christmas Lights for a 9-Foot Tree? For a 9-foot tree, aim for 900 to 1,350 lights. This ensures that the majestic stature of the tree is matched with an equally enchanting glow.
Horizontal is the most traditional way to install your Christmas tree lights—traveling around and around the tree to wind in the lights. (It's the method we show in the video!) To give your Christmas tree a professional look, string them a little randomly, to give your lights a more organic, natural feel.
Plug in the lights to make sure all the bulbs are working. Starting at the top of the tree, intertwine the lights on top of and under branches. Work your way down and around the tree, hanging lights in the back as well. When you reach the bottom, hide any extra lights behind the tree.
For the best coverage on your unlit Christmas tree, about 100 bulbs are recommended for every two feet of tree. If you have a 6 foot artificial Christmas tree, you'll need a string of 300 LEDs to light up your tree perfectly. Using this as a rule, here's how many lights you'll need for different sized Christmas trees.
As a general guide we start designing our trees with a 100 twinkle lights per 1.5ft of height. This gives us an even covering of lights across the whole tree with enough room to add decorations and accents to the tree.
Q:How many lights for a 7.5ft tree? A: As with 7ft trees, for 7.5ft Christmas trees we would advise that you use 35-40m of lights which will provide good, even coverage. If you really want to push the boat out, consider upping this to 55m.
“A good rule of thumb is 100 lights for every foot-and-a-half of tree,” according to Lowe's. But Better Homes & Gardens recommends using three 100-light sets for every foot of a tree's height. And Real Simple suggests 100 lights for every foot.
If you use 1,000 incandescent mini lights the total watts used is about 408, whereas using the same amount of LEDs, would only be 69 watts. The incandescent string lights can only have 5 sets connected end-to-end, which mean you would need to use two plug outlets.
Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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