Decorate top down or bottom up?

[wdwoldtimer]

Ok at the risk of this erupting into an all out war and getting moved to the Debate board...

How do you string the lights on your Chrstmas tree...from the bottom up, or from the top down?

I say from the top down is the correct way, mainly because that's the way I've always done it. (So it MUST be right)

And for people that have artificial trees, which direction do you insert the branches? Again, I say it's from the top down. I haven't had an artificial tree for years, but I seem to recall having the bottom branches in first makes it harder to reach the top ones.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Bottom up for stringing lights and bottom up for putting in braches.

That is the correct way, if you would read the directions, for putting a tree up.

I am right and I know I am right!

 

[wdwoldtimer]

See, I think you only do it bottom up if you live below the equator...and directions?!?!? What directions?!?

Men don't need directions.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

The equator only comes into play with regard to which direction you go when you are stinging the lights, clockwise or counterclockwise. I guess the same could be said for inserting the branches as well.

 

[Charleneluvsdisney]

My MIL used to work for a Christmas shop here in town. She taught me how to put the lights on and we started at the bottom of the tree and worked up. I start way into the tree and work my way forward to the tip of the branch then go back into the tree. This eliminates most of the cord showing. I go crazy with lights and put 7 strands of 100's on mine this year. I have a 7 ft. tree, so 100 lights for every foot!

P.S. - My directions state to start building the tree from the bottom to the top!

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Miss Jasmine
Bottom up for stringing lights and bottom up for putting in braches.

That is the correct way, if you would read the directions, for putting a tree up.

I am right and I know I am right!

the directions for my tree clearly state to insert the branches from the top down...if the branches have an upward sweep on the end it would be difficult to insert them starting from the bottom up...

 

[MICKEY88]

How to Trim a Christmas Tree

 

[MICKEY88]

instructions from another website..




If your artificial tree has the branch’s that can be removed, you may find I easier to light the tree as you assemble it. Do this by assembling the lowest layer of branches first, light them, then assemble the next layer and light them. Continue lighting each layer until you have the entire tree assembled and lit.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

ohhh I never thought about branches then light, branches then lights. I will have to try that next year. Thanks!

 

[wdwoldtimer]

You better move north of the equator first. You might get arrested.

 

[Lewski709]

Bottom up......all the way.

 

[MICKEY88]

I string my lights differently..I use 2 strings of 300 lights each..each string has a control box in the center..I take the first string place the control box in the center of the tree...then wrap the lights on one side of the cotrol box..from top to bottom, then I wrap the lights on the other side of the control box from bottom to top..then I repeat with the second string of lights...this seems to light the tree the most evenly, leaving no dark spots when the lights are going thru the random blink/fade/chase sequences...

 

[tkyes]

From the bottom up to the top.

100 lights for every foot of the tree. We went a little overboard this year though as our tree is very big around. We have a 9 1/2 foot tree, we probably have 1100 lights on our tree.

All white, no colors, no flashing, no chasing. (yes, I'm picky about my tree)

And yes, you have to wrap the entire branch to give the tree some depth.


Tamie

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I am north of the equator. Anyway, it's beginning to look like you are the WRONG one!

 

[Stepharoonie!]

For me, it has ALWAYS been lights bottom up. Same with artificial tree limbs...but lately I use a real tree.

 

[Meriweather]

Bottom up on both

 

[JetMom]

We always start with the Angel on top and work our way down. We do the garland the same way.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

Originally posted by JetMom
We always start with the Angel on top and work our way down. We do the garland the same way.

Isn't it strange how so many people do it the wrong way, Jet Mom?

I forgot about garland. I can't imagine anyone doing that bottom up.

 

[WendyZ]

Bottom up!

 

[BethanyF]

Originally posted by MICKEY88

If your artificial tree has the branch’s that can be removed, you may find I easier to light the tree as you assemble it. Do this by assembling the lowest layer of branches first, light them, then assemble the next layer and light them. Continue lighting each layer until you have the entire tree assembled and lit.

This is how my DH does our tree....it may also explain how we ended up with 1200 lights on a 7 foot tree.