Christmas Tree Lighting - What You Need to Know

If you’re in the market for a new Christmas Tree (or at least some new lights for your Christmas Tree) you know that there are so many options available, and it can be really difficult to know where to start. Don’t worry though, Treetime is here to help! Today we are going to help you narrow down your tree search, as well as answer some of your most asked lighting questions to make sure you get that picture perfect Christmas Tree this year.

Firstly, when deciding on an Artificial Christmas Tree there a few categories for lighting to help you narrow down your search:

Unlit

Perfect if you are looking for flexibility; if you are unsure what kind of lights you want on your tree, or how frequently you want to change the look of your tree, unlit may be the best way to go. Unlit trees are a great blank canvas to let your own creativity shine, and can be paired with unique lights (like our Micro Bunch Lights) to create a stunning one-of-a-kind tree. Unlit trees are also generally less expensive and easier to maintain if your light strands go out.

Pre-lit White Lights

Soft white lights tend to create a warm and elegant tree. White lights are perfect for those who want a subtle twinkling glow, or a neutral and natural tree. White light Christmas trees are also our recommendation when someone wants the lighting of their tree to compliment their collectible ornaments instead of overwhelming them (like Old World & Radko Ornaments).

Pre-lit Multi-Color (Non-Changing)

Multi-Color Christmas Trees are perfect for bringing joyful color to Christmas. Popular for those with little ones and those who love to embrace the fun of the season, multi-color light christmas trees create a whimsical and delightful tree perfect to be paired with treasured family ornaments.

Pre-lit Color Changing (RGB)

Color Changing Christmas Trees are the best option when you want your Christmas Tree to change and grow with your style. Coming with a remote and/or easy to access apps, color changing RGB Christmas trees can change in an instant and have become incredibly popular with designers and families alike. You can create an Elegant Snowy Tree with warm white lights one year and a fun Candy Cane Tree with red & white stripes the next. The possibilities are endless with color-changing trees (and while they are usually more expensive than others, our favorite Magic Fir Tree is on sale now).

Now that we’ve narrowed it down a bit, let’s answer some of your most asked questions…

What are some multi-color Christmas Trees ideas?

Some of our favorite tree themes involve our multi-color or color-changing Christmas trees, like Candy Cane (Red & White), Cupcake/Christmas Goodies (Multi-Color), Holly & Florals (Red & Green), Snowy (White & Blue) and The Grinch (Green).

What are some other color changing Christmas Tree themes?

Color Changing Christmas trees (like our Magic Fir Tree) are perfect for creating unique theme trees. For example this year we turned ours into a Barbie Tree (pink lights & ornaments, barbies, rollerblades, etc), a Bears (NFL) Tree (blue/orange lights & ornaments, footballs, foam fingers), a Halloween Tree (purple/orange lights, halloween ornaments, pumpkins and a witch hat), and more. The possibilities are endless!

What is the benefit of having LED lights on my Christmas tree?

LED lights are much more energy efficient, last much longer and stay cooler when turned on.

How long do LED lights usually last?

This varies greatly based type of LED lights and external factors such as heat and use, but most LED lights last between 30,000 and 75,000 hours.

What is the difference between RGB and LED lights?

RGB is a specific type of LED light that can emit a much wider variety of colors (by using a mixture of red, green and blue) to create multiple types of lit tree (i.e color-changing). These trees can be a traditional white as well as custom mixtures of colors.

Can I customize the colors on my multi-color tree?

Yes and no. In order to customize colors on your Christmas Tree you are going to want to look at purchasing a Color Changing RGB tree (like our Magic Fir Tree) that allows you to customize the colors and lighting effects of your tree by remote or app. Or you can purchase an unlit tree and buy lights to put on it that are specific to the color/effect you are looking for.

How do I know what type of lights my tree has?

When shopping on our website each pre-lit tree will have it’s light type listed. If you have bought a tree from us previously and want to double-check the light type on your tree you can give us a call at (847) 527-8880.

Do you have Christmas Trees I can control from my phone?

Absolutely! Our Magic Fir Tree comes with a remote and app that lets you customize endless colors and lighting effects right from your phone with ease. You can even creates a custom light show that is sure to wow your family and friends.

What is the best way to light my Christmas Tree?

We personally recommend using LED lights on an unlit tree (because they last longer) and weaving the lights over and under the different levels of the tree (like a wave pattern) starting from the bottom and working your way up.

Pro-Tip: if you use (at least 1) strand of lights per each tree section, you can light your tree as you put it up, and the lights can remain on the tree as you disassemble it at the end of the season. This will save you time and effort both this year and next year.

How many lights should I put on my Christmas Tree?

This is entirely up to your personal preference, but we like to put at least one strand of LED lights per section of our tree to achieve a well lit tree. The general rule of thumb is 100 lights per foot (7ft = 700, 9ft = 900 etc). Using this guide will help you figure out how many strands of lights you will need.

Do you start at the top or bottom when putting lights on a Christmas tree?

We recommend starting at the bottom to ensure easy access to plug your lights in. This is also helpful when you light your tree as you are assembling it.