How to Add Lights to Your Metal Christmas Ornament Tree

Selecting lights for the tree: try to find lights on a cord similar in color to your tree. Brown cords will be less obvious on a gold tree, white cords less obvious on a silver tree. Then, the cord will recede somewhat when the strand is lit.
Look for battery operated or UL listed electrical miniature lights 10-50 Lites: be sure to get indoor/outdoor lights or light strands rated for use on metal. Select lights with no strand connector on the un-polarized end.
How many strands to use: You may want to use more or less depending upon your personal taste. Remember, the light strands will go farther because you are winding them along the center trunk instead of spreading them out along individual tree branches. As a general rule of thumb consider:
1' metal ornament tree - 10-20 lights
2' metal ornament tree - 20-35 mini lights
3' metal ornament tree - 35-50 mini lights
4' metal ornament tree - 35-75 mini lights
6' - 7' metal ornament tree - 75 to 150 mini lights.
Place Lights on the tree first. Holding the un-polarized end in your hand, start at the top of the tree and wind them around the center stem of the tree. That way your tree is illuminated without the obvious tangle of wires on each branch.
If you prefer to spread the lights out on a taller metal ornament tree, the two most common methods of lighting a tree are to drape the lights from top to bottom in equally spaced columns or draping the lights around the tree horizontally in equally spaced rows. Regardless of the method you choose, place the strands as close to the trunk as possible so that the lights will not compete with your ornaments.
How to place the lights? Start at the top and work your way down. The end with the outlet plug should be at the bottom.
Begin adding your decorations at the bottom rung of the tree and work upward. Place the heaviest ornaments along the bottom row and balance them around all four sides of the tree. DO NOT OVERLOAD THE TREE!
Hang glass bead garland one-half out from the tree trunk. Use decorators wire, removable fasteners, to secure beads to branches if you wish.
If you are using ribbon for your garland, weave the ribbon throughout the branches of your tree. The ribbon should run through the tree from the outside to two-thirds of the way in the tree. Add bows, if desired. Make sure that the ribbon is not touching light bulbs or strands. This technique will also work for our glass bead garlands, mini lights, etc. Adding beautiful tree decorations in this manner will enhance your display and soften the "cold hard metal feel" without visually competing with your ornaments.
Add your decorative ornaments taking care to balance the heavier ornaments around the bottom of the tree. Test the tree for steadiness as you decorate and remove some ornaments if you think the tree might tip over.
Observe the soldering connections on your metal ornament tree and take care not to place heavy ornaments near them.
Stagger the placement of your ornaments by using ornament hooks and hangers for a more flexible display.
If you have any doubts about the steadiness of your decorated tree , secure the base of it to your table with Collectors Hold putty to help it remain in place while on display. Be careful where you use Collectors Hold because it is difficult to remove. Do not use it on any porous surface or cloth because it may stain.
Glass icicles or glass pendant drops can be applied as a finishing touch. If using glass or acrylic icicle drops, spread them evenly around the tree.
Table top or floor miniature "can" type up-lights or a bulb light on a color wheel can also be used to illuminate a metal ornament tree.

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