New Christmas lights

[MrsPete]

I'm buying a new (artificial) Christmas tree and lights this year. Actually, I've picked the tree; it's 7' tall and skinny, so not particularly large. The tree is pre-lit with white mini-lights. I have space now to "do this tree right", then wrap it and store it away -- so I really want to do these lights right.

Here's where I need help:

- I want LOTS of lights. LOTS of lights. I'm thinking I want a second type of light (still white, but not mini-lights). I saw two types at Target: larger (maybe 1") lights that were common when I was a kid, or little round balls. Any opinions on which would look best paired with the white mini-lights? I'm leaning towards the larger lights, thinking they'll create a contrast.
- Given that the tree is already lit, how many lights do I want to add? The strands seem to come in 50, 100 and 250. I want plenty, but I don't want to be ridiculous.
- The lights come in "warm" or "cool". I'm attracted to the softer "warm" lights -- but I don't know what type of lights will come with the tree. Do I want to match what's pre-strung on the tree, or would a mis-match create a better look?
- If it makes a difference, my tree decorations are mostly burgundy and gold.

Thanks! I have no idea how Christmas lights can be so complicated!

 

[Kae]

My friends who work in landscaping & at Florist's say short strands are easier to work with. I think the larger I think I am adding those to my tree this year.

 

[ronandannette]

One thing that I found with our pre-lit tree was that the bulbs were incandescent minis and being white, shone MUCH brighter than the coloured LED bulbs I supplemented them with. Personally, I couldn't tolerate it so I snipped out all the pre-lit strings and now just go with the LED's I add. Your taste on this may differ though.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

One thing that I found with our pre-lit tree was that the bulbs were incandescent minis and being white, shone MUCH brighter than the coloured LED bulbs I supplemented them with. Personally, I couldn't tolerate it so I snipped out all the pre-lit strings and now just go with the LED's I add. Your taste on this may differ though.

Glad to see I’m not the only one who has cut their lights out of their tree. Our reason is different though. We bought a pre-lit retro tree several years ago with the big bulbs on it. What they don’t tell you though is you have to screw all the bulbs in every year or it won’t fit back into the box without all the bulbs breaking. I think I did it for 2 years and that was it.

 

[PollyannaMom]

We need pics when it's all done!

 

[barkley]

and this is why every year we say we are going to replace ours but don't-we don't want pre-lit but that's all we can find any more. dh would like a more user friendly one to put together but we had a pre-lit for one year when we were living in a rental (ours was packed away) and he swore 'never again' on dealing with the attached lights.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Whether pre lit or adding, don't get the cool white. Cool white is good for parking lots and loading docks. Stick with warm white, about 2700 color temperature, which is the same as the incandescent color we have had indoors forever.

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[tarheelmjfan]

and this is why every year we say we are going to replace ours but don't-we don't want pre-lit but that's all we can find any more. dh would like a more user friendly one to put together but we had a pre-lit for one year when we were living in a rental (ours was packed away) and he swore 'never again' on dealing with the attached lights.

You can still find them. After cutting the strands off of two trees, we decided we wouldn't buy another pre-lit tree. This year I have bought 2 trees that weren't pre-lit & am getting ready to order a third. FWIW, I don't shop in stores often. All of my trees have been ordered online.

OP, if you're set on a pre-lit tree, I would supplement with a generous amount of the large, warm lights. I think they'd look better with your color scheme.

 

[Cadiewampus]

Whether pre lit or adding, don't get the cool white. Cool white is good for parking lots and loading docks. Stick with warm white, about 2700 color temperature, which is the same as the incandescent color we have had indoors forever.

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I would say the complete opposite. Cool white is the way to go. It gives much more visual impact. But to each his own.