Whether you’re decorating a Christmas tree for the first time or refining your technique, getting your house into the festive mood is the fun part of the holiday. You’ve probably bought your tree already, or you’re waiting for it to be delivered to your door and installed as well.
Add to Preferred Sources That’s why we’ve put together this detailed guide on how to decorate a Christmas tree step by step. It contains all of the information you might need, so make sure to take a look below. Happy reading!
TL;DR
- Always add lights first, starting from the base of the tree and working upward.
- Light counts by tree height: 101 for 4 ft, 138 for 5 ft, 190 for 6 ft, 236 for 7 ft, 285 for 8 ft — see the table below for the full breakdown.
- Garland rule of thumb: two strands per vertical foot of tree height.
- Ornament counts by height range from 40–60 for a 4 ft tree up to 100–160 for an 8 ft tree.
- The correct decoration order is: lights, then garlands and ribbon, then ornaments, then the tree topper.
- Keep your tree away from heat sources — a real tree near a radiator or fire will dry out fast.
- Leave at least one metre of clearance between the top of your tree and the ceiling to fit your topper and stand comfortably.
Table of Contents
Decide on the best location for your Christmas tree
The first step is to pick the right spot for your tree. Determine the height and width of your Christmas tree so you know how much space you will actually need.
Make sure to maintain a distance between your ceiling and your tree of about a metre, if not more. You will use this leftover space for your Christmas tree topper and your tree stand.
What Is the Correct Order for Decorating a Christmas Tree?
While you can play around with the placement of baubles and other pieces, the whole tree decoration process would be easier if you follow the right decoration order. We will explain each step below.
Also, if you want to avoid spending extra on Christmas ornaments and other pieces you are not going to use, it’s much better to determine how many items you will need in advance. You can check the tables we have provided, as well, and find out how many lights, garlands or ornaments your festive tree will require.
How to decorate a Christmas tree step by step, in the correct order for the best result.
Add the lights
The lights are the first thing that goes up when decorating a Christmas tree. Putting them on before anything else makes the job far easier. Start from the base of the tree and work your way upward — this gives you a solid foundation and simple access to plug-in points without having to stretch over branches or finished ornaments. Check the table below for how many lights you need based on your tree’s height.
Add garlands and ribbon
Once the lights are on, move on to your garlands and ribbon. There are no strict rules here — drape them freely around the tree. As a general guide, two strands per vertical foot of tree height is usually enough. If you prefer to hang ribbon vertically, start from the top and let it follow the height of the tree down to the base, tucking it in as you go. See the garland length table below for quantities by tree size.
Hang the ornaments
With lights and garlands in place, you can hang your Christmas ornaments. Arrange them all around the tree, spacing them evenly and mixing sizes for the best effect. Check the ornament table below for recommended quantities based on your tree’s height.
Add the tree topper
The final touch is the tree topper. Place it last so it crowns everything beneath it cleanly. The two most popular choices are a star and an angel — both are traditional and work on any tree style.
How many lights do you need for your Christmas tree?
Christmas lights are gorgeous and make each tree stand out, but too much of something is not always necessary. Just as it goes with garlands, holiday lights might not be quite enough for your tree. Or it may turn out you have much more than you actually need. The table below will help you find out how many lights you need based on your Christmas tree’s size.
| Christmas tree height | Christmas lights needed (Natural spread) |
| 4 ft | 101 Christmas lights |
| 5 ft | 138 Christmas lights |
| 6 ft | 190 Christmas lights |
| 7 ft | 236 Christmas lights |
| 8 ft | 285 Christmas lights |
How to measure the length of the Christmas garland?
| Christmas tree height | Garland length |
| 4 ft | 20 ft (6 meters) |
| 5 ft | 25 ft (approx. 8 meters) |
| 6 ft | 30 ft (9 meters) |
| 7 ft | 35 ft (approx. 11 meters) |
| 8 ft | 40 ft (12 meters) |
How many ornaments should be on a Christmas tree?
Well, this one also depends on the tree’s size and height. Check out the table below to find out how many ornaments will be enough in accordance with your tree’s height.
| Christmas tree height | Approx. number of ornaments needed |
| 4 ft | 40-60 |
| 5 ft | 50-75 |
| 6 ft | 60-100 |
| 7 ft | 80-140 |
| 8 ft | 100-160 |
Putting ornaments on your Christmas tree is one of the best-loved traditions associated with Christmas. The history behind the humble bauble is worth knowing: the first Christmas baubles in the world were produced in Germany, invented by Hans Greiner in Lauscha by the end of the 1840s. They started out as glass nuts and fruits before taking the spherical shape we know today, and were initially made for wealthy households before glass gave way to plastic and everyone could join in.
What not to do when decorating a Christmas tree
Sometimes people tend to overdo it when it comes to festive decorations and some houses end up looking like Christmas decorating disasters. Below you will find several quick tips on how to avoid that:
- Keep the tree as far away from heat sources as possible. If you place a real Christmas tree near fire sources, it will dry out.
- Protect the Christmas tree from kids and pets. Also, think about rearranging your furniture so that your pets can’t jump right on top of your tree and pull it down. A lot of damage can be done to your tree and ornaments, and your pet may get hurt.
- Use LED lights on timers and don’t overload your sockets. LED lights are energy-efficient and produce less heat than traditional bulbs. Pair them with plug-in timer modules for convenience and safety, and always make sure extension cords and outlets aren’t overloaded.
- Don’t go overboard when decorating your property. Stick to your colour theme and add just 2 or 3 festive decor pieces per room to avoid a cluttered look.
- Measure the height of your ceiling before you buy your Christmas tree. If your tree is taller than your room’s height, it will never fit in your house.
Deck the halls with a real Nordmann Fir!
Enter your postcode to view our rates and availability in your area.
For questions about the services we offer visit our main site
Frequently Asked Questions
What goes on a Christmas tree first — lights or decorations?
Lights always go on first, starting from the base of the tree and working upward. This makes it easier to weave them through branches without disturbing ornaments, and gives you simpler access to plug-in points without stretching over finished decorations.
How do I know how many Christmas lights I need?
A rough guide: 101 lights for a 4 ft tree, 138 for 5 ft, 190 for 6 ft, 236 for 7 ft, and 285 for an 8 ft tree. These figures assume a natural spread — a fuller tree may need slightly more.
What is the best Christmas tree topper — star or angel?
Both are traditional. The star represents the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Wise Men; the angel represents the heavenly messenger who announced the birth of Christ. The choice is personal — either works on any tree style.
How much clearance should there be between a Christmas tree and the ceiling?
Leave at least one metre (around 3 feet) between the top of the tree and the ceiling. This space is needed for the tree topper and tree stand to sit comfortably without the arrangement looking cramped.
Christmas decorations bring joy and create a cosy mood, preparing us for the upcoming holidays. But sometimes it can get too overwhelming and we don’t always approve the final results. However, festive decorations can be dangerous, too. Therefore it is important to keep our Christmas decor balanced and safely installed.
Did you find this article helpful and worth sharing? Or do you have any other interesting ideas on how to improve your front garden look? Then, please, tell us about them in the comment box below!
Thank you so much for this useful article. It was a fun read. Much props to the writer. It has everything we need to know.
Wow, this is an extensive Christmas tree decoration guide. Love your emphasis on an eco-friendly Christmas. As well as recycled wrapping materials, you could also use more recycled materials for your tree. Love the hot chocolate idea too.
Great tips and wonderful article! I wish I had read it before putting my decorations. I will definitely use your tips next year.
Thanks for sharing this. My kids will love to try it.