The Order Matters More Than the Ornaments

Most amateur trees look cluttered not because of bad ornament choices, but because of the
order they went on. Lights, then garland/ribbon, then large ornaments, then small ones, then a
final fill-in pass, in that specific order, is what separates a professional-looking tree from a
messy one.

Step 1: Lights First, and More Than You Think

Work lights into the tree, not just around the outside, pushing strands deep toward the trunk
as well as the tips of branches creates depth and a glow from within rather than a flat wall of
light. A common rule of thumb is roughly 100 lights per foot of tree height for a fully lit look.

Step 2: Ribbon or Garland, Woven Not Wrapped

Instead of wrapping garland in neat horizontal bands, weave it in and out of branches at
varying depths, the same in-and-out principle as the lights. This is what gives a tree movement
rather than looking like it’s wearing stripes.

Step 3: Large Ornaments First, Then Small, Then Fill

Place your largest, most important ornaments first, evenly spaced around the tree at different
depths (not just the tips). Add medium ornaments to fill gaps. Finish with the smallest ornaments
and any accent picks (berries, pinecones) tucked into remaining empty pockets. Step back every few
minutes, gaps are much easier to spot from a few feet away than up close.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lights does a 7-foot tree actually need?

Roughly 700 lights (about 100 per foot) gives a fully lit, professional look. Fewer than that tends to look sparse once ornaments are added.

Should garland go on before or after ornaments?

Before. Garland establishes the tree’s overall texture and flow; ornaments then get placed to work with that flow rather than fighting it.

What’s the biggest mistake people make decorating a tree?

Only decorating the front-facing branch tips and skipping depth. Pushing some lights and ornaments deeper into the tree, not just on the outer surface, is what creates a fuller, more professional look.