How to decorate a Christmas tree, step by step (and take it down)

Before you begin: gather your kit

Having everything within arm's reach saves half the effort. You will want a sturdy step stool or ladder (and a helper for tall trees), an extension cord rated for your lights, a power strip or outlet, hooks, floral wire or zip ties, garden gloves for artificial branches, scissors, and a small container for burned-out bulbs and spare fuses. If you have a real tree, add a bucket of water for the stand and an old sheet to catch needles.

Step 1: Set up and shape the tree

Real tree: Cut about an inch or two off the bottom of the trunk if the tree has been sitting for hours, put it into the stand with water right away, and make sure it is straight and stable before anything else. Keep it at least 3 feet from heat sources, as NFPA recommends.

Artificial tree: Assemble the sections, then fluff. Starting from the bottom, work branch by branch, fanning each tip outward and up, and bending inner tips to fill gaps. Fluffing is the single biggest difference between a tree that looks cheap and one that looks full.

Put the tree in its final position now, because moving a decorated tree is a hassle. Check that the outlet is within reach and that the tree is not in a doorway.

Step 2: Test the lights

Plug in every set on the floor before you hang it. Replace dead bulbs, discard any set with damage, and check the connection limit printed on the tag. Our lights and fire safety guide has a full inspection list.

Step 3: Wrap the lights

A tidy light job is mostly about direction and depth.

1. Start at the trunk side. Begin near the outlet, at the base, and plan to end near the top.
2. Go in and out. Rather than just circling the outside, weave the string back toward the trunk and out again along each branch, which gives the tree depth.
3. Work in vertical sections from bottom to top for a more even distribution, or spiral around if you prefer, but keep the spacing even.
4. Plug in each string as you go to check for dead sections, instead of finding out at the end.
5. Use the rule of thumb. About 100 lights per foot of tree for a classic look, 50 for light, 150 for dense.

Step 4: Add garland, ribbon or beads

Garland should follow the lights. Start at the top and drape downward in loose swags, tucking the ends into the branches. Ribbon looks best cut into long strands tucked in from tip to trunk, or draped in wide, soft loops. Use floral wire to secure the ends so they do not sag by Christmas Eve. If you plan to use a lot of garland, the tree decoration calculator gives an estimate of the length you need.

Step 5: Place the topper

With the lights and garland done, shape the top branches and fit the topper. Check it from several angles, secure it with wire and run any cord down through the branches. If it leans, adjust before the weight of the ornaments pulls things the other way. The topper guide covers fit and fixes.

Step 6: Hang the ornaments, big to small

1. Large ornaments first, placed deep inside near the trunk and at the base of branches. They create the depth and the focal points.
2. Medium ornaments next, spread evenly around the tree and at different heights. They are the bulk of the tree.
3. Small ornaments last, at the branch tips and in the gaps, to fill empty spots.
4. Special and sentimental pieces go at eye level where they can be seen.
5. Fragile pieces go up high on safe branches, away from pets and children.

Step back every dozen or so ornaments and squint at the tree. Dark gaps show up quickly when your eyes are blurry. For quantity ideas see our ornament planning guide.

Step 7: Dress the base

Place the skirt or collar after the ornaments, so you do not have to bend over it while working. For a real tree, make sure you can reach the water and keep the bowl topped up. Add gifts last, and keep cords clear of them.

Step 8: Final safety check

Look at the tree with the room lights off. Check for cords that are pinched, bulbs touching the topper's fabric, and anything too close to a heat source. Water a real tree and set a reminder to check it daily. Set a timer or plan to switch off the lights at bedtime and when you go out.

Fixing common problems

• Bald spot: Move a full branch or add ribbon, picks or a cluster of larger ornaments to hide it.
• Dark areas: Add a few extra lights inside the tree near the trunk, not at the tips.
• Leaning tree: Check the stand, tighten the bolts and level the base. If it still leans, shim the stand.
• Ornaments sliding off: Close hooks slightly or use ribbon loops.
• Light strand fails mid-job: Do not splice the cord. Replace the string or follow the manufacturer's instructions for a fuse or bulb replacement.

Taking the tree down

Work in reverse: gifts and skirt first, then ornaments, garland, lights, and finally the topper. Take the lights off carefully, and wind each set loosely around a piece of cardboard or a spool. Check for damage, toss anything bad and pack by category in labeled bins. Real trees can often be recycled through local programs, so check your city or county website. Put silica gel packets in the bins if you live somewhere humid.