Christmas calls for twinkling lights, and what better way to decorate a yard than making a Christmas tree out of light strands!
If you are on a budget, then purchasing a Christmas tree and then decorating it might turn out to be a costly affair. But if you can make the same tree with a pole and lights, you save a lot of money.
So, last year, during Christmas, I had organized a family get-together in the house. One of my nieces asked me how to make a Christmas tree with lights and a pole! That’s when I decided to go forward and curate a guide.
Hi! I am Stacy Smith, and today I will be breaking down the process of setting up a Christmas tree with lights. I assure you that it is not a difficult task if you follow the steps.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Process Of Making A Christmas Tree With Lights And A Pole
Step 1: Assembling The Materials
Your first job is to get all the materials in one place. I usually stick to items that I already have and a few store-bought ones. The idea is to ensure that it looks lovely as well as stays budget-friendly.
Moving on to the process, first look for a PVC pole that is 10 ft in height. Now, I have used a 10 feet pole, but you may use one of another measurement too. Remember that the length of the pole will determine the height of your entire structure.
Along with this, get 10-12 tent stakes, 4 large strands of light, 6 plastic shingle clips, and a yellow star. This could be accompanied by a string of mini lights too. Also, look for a 3 feet threaded metal pole and a PVC pole measuring 2 yards and a foot. It has to be ½ inches in diameter.
Step 2: Setting Up The Support Pole
Now that you have all the materials in hand, it is time to begin setting up.
- First of all, decide the place and get the threaded metal pole, sledgehammer, and a mallet.
- Keep the other items safely while you put the metal pole in an upright position in your desired place
- With the help of a mallet, push this rod into the ground in case you are putting it up outdoors.
- Hit it with a sledgehammer to secure it further.
- If you are going to set it up indoors, then get a pole stand that can hold the pole in place.
- Screw it well to the bracket so that it stands tall.
- Now take the PVC pole, which should be 2 yards and a foot long, and slide it on the pole that is standing upright.
- Lastly, take the 10 feet tall pole and slide it over the previous pole.
In case you are putting it up indoors, I would recommend adding extra weight on the pole stand so that there is no chance of it tipping over.
Step 3: Hooking Up The Lights
Once you have the pole in place, you can move on to setting up the lights. Get a ladder if you cannot reach the top, or you can ask a tall person to help out. If you are not very tall, I would recommend getting a ladder as that will help you see the top better.
Now place the ladder near the pole and get up on it. Once you are at the top, attach the shingle clips on all sides like a 12-hour clock. They should be in symmetry with equal distance from each other.
Step 4: Arranging The Stakes
Next, it’s time to attach the stakes. Here it’s best to take somebody’s help as that will allow you to do the work faster. Ensure that the stakes are in line with the shingle clips on the pole. Attach the stakes 4 feet away from the pole. Then, dig them into the ground, and the pattern should look like a clock again.
If you are putting up the tree indoors, you will not be able to dig stakes into the ground. In such a case, you can use strong cello tape to attach the light strands on the sides. Make a mark on the ground 4 steps away from the pole. The marks should be in symmetry and in line with the shingle clips.
Step 5. Attaching The Lights
You have reached the most important part of making the Christmas tree now. Ensure that the male plug end of the strand should always be near a stake where you can place an extension cord to connect it to a power source.
Having said this, let me describe the process of attaching the light strands. First, hook one side on the top with a shingle clip. String it down to the nearest stake and then attach it there. Make sure that there are no slacks as that does not look attractive and may spoil the look. Run this strand from the previous stake to the next one and then mallet it.
Once you have done it, lead it back upwards to the next shingle clip. This process needs to be repeated, and the light strands need to be attached to cover all the sides. Any excess part can be used to wrap around the stakes and make a circle.
All you need to do now is place the star on top, and you are done. This star can be attached to one of the wire plugs on top.
Final Words
While setting up a Christmas tree with lights, you should have all the materials in place beforehand. This will save time, and you can do it within an hour. Also, keep extra-strong tapes in case you need to avoid slacks and tape down parts.
I will recommend setting this up outdoors because then you will get a better grip on the pole and stakes. If you want one indoors, you can use a smaller pole, as this will be easier to control. But whatever floats your boat!
With this, I will be taking my leave. Until next time.