A pro guide to prelit tree decoration

Having trouble decorating your prelit tree? Then you’ve come to the right place! Here’s a quick pro guide on how to decorate your prelit tree.

Fluff and shape branches

A fuller, more natural-looking Christmas tree can be created by fluffing the branches. Though this can be a lengthy process, the result is more than worth the effort. Make sure that the branches fan out so that the area is covered as much as possible. Fill in gaps by bending individual branches. Regardless of how minimal or lavish your decorations might be, an attractively shaped tree is worth the effort.

Theme-based design

The centerpiece of an impressive Christmas tree ties the decorations together. Setting the theme before you choose your decorations sends a clear message about what you want your tree to look like. Are you looking for some inspiration? From Renaissance to Art of Japan, John Lewis has a total of seven Christmas themes to help you decorate this festive season.

Lights first

If you have a plain tree (real or artificial), you will need Christmas tree lights, as pre-lit trees save you time (and money). Our lighting experts recommend 100 bulbs or 5 meters of lights for every 2ft of Christmas tree. In other words, you would need 15 meters or 300 bulbs for a 6ft tree. When decorating your Christmas tree, the most important thing you should always do is add the lights first – after you’ve added decorations like baubles and garlands, it’s more challenging.

Decorate according to your taste

Accentuating your theme with the right accents helps you achieve a cohesive design. Choose Christmas tree decorations that will enhance the overall appearance of your tree, like hanging decorations, garlands, ribbons, and floral picks. Bauble sets frequently include different shape, size, finish, and design options. Adding these to traditional baubles will give you more scope to play with your theme.