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Original poster

Can anyone talk to me about how many tree lights I should have?

27 replies

attheendoftheday · 05/12/2016 19:22

I am upgrading a lot of our Dec's this year to ones I prefer. It's just occurred to me that I hate our fairy lights with an abiding passion as they are in a loop and tend to get tangled.

So I want to get some more, aiming for ones that will last. We normally have a tree around 5ft, but possibly up to 6ft (not got our tree yet, going next weekend for one). How many lights should I be aiming for, would you say?

I currently have 2 sets of 200, which doesn't seem quite enough. And they don't have a very warm glow like I remember our childhood lights having, possibly because they are leds?

Anyway, any fairy light advice gratefully received!

OP posts:
MrsBellefleur · 05/12/2016 19:23

I read somewhere that you need approx 100 lights per foot of tree, but that seems like lots of lights to me!

WatchingFromTheWings · 05/12/2016 19:24

Can never have too many as far as I'm concerned!

Original poster
attheendoftheday · 05/12/2016 19:37

So 500-600 lights then? Thank MrsBelleFleur that's really helpful.

Can anyone recommend a place to get lights (that I can order from online and might deliver before the weekend?)

OP posts:
EccentricPickle · 05/12/2016 19:43

We have a 7ft tree and the sales assistant said that she recommended about 400 lights for a 7ft tree.

So that's what I got and it looks great.

NoCapes · 05/12/2016 19:45

Oh gosh I think I need to go and buy more lights!

RueDeDay · 05/12/2016 20:55

I have a 6.5 foot tree (prelit) and have 800. It looks pretty good. If it was a string of lights I'd be tempted to got for 1000.

I have never seen a Christmas tree and thought "You know, it's okay, but it's just got a few too many lights"! Xmas Grin

CautionHotSurface · 05/12/2016 21:00

I have. My parents tree. It looks like a psychedelic migraine-inducing moon rocket.
I remember the 80's when we had about 20 softly glowing 'bulbs'.

Then LEDs Confused

LooksBetterWithAFilter · 05/12/2016 21:01

Ours is about 7 feet and it is can't remember exactly how many exactly. It's either 600 or 640. It has two long sets that are 200 or 220 and two sets of 100. Our tree is in a corner so the lights aren't all the way around the tree only strung around the front. I'm not going to lie it's a lot of lights but it definitely doesn't look like too man .

KondosSecretJunkRoom · 05/12/2016 21:04

Jesus, that's a lot of lights. We got 400 to go on our 6ft tree and I felt the fucking Griswold's when I switched it on.

RatOnnaStick · 05/12/2016 21:08

My preliminary tree has 80 and then another string of 240 and it's too bright for me. The children like to put both sets on to what seems like disco mode but once they bugger off to bed I shut it all down bar the soft amber prelim on steady and the world seems right again.

I like to see the tree with the lights accenting the decorations that's all.

officerhinrika · 05/12/2016 21:11

You need to get warm white not bright white with the LEDs and please please don't get blue ones. When I am in charge of everything blue Xmas lights will be bannedGrin.
You can get away with 2 strings (400 ish) on a 6ft tree but it depends on how many decorations you have. I use 3 strings on an 8 ft tree but one is a shorter string.

daisydalrymple · 05/12/2016 21:11

We've had some lovely Iights from Tesco, got a set of multicoloured and a set of warm white, the ones that give off a lovely candle light type glow (they also do the cool white if you prefer the almost pale blue effect). They've got the tiny led tupe lights as well as the rounder berry types.

hippyhippyshake · 05/12/2016 21:15

I must have the dullest tree ever! Our 6ft tree has only ever had a 100 bulbs. Last year we thought what the heck and bought another 80. I thought that was quite a lot Confused

Upsetmummy27 · 05/12/2016 21:27

I have 880 on my 7ft tree. It looks lovely.

BertieBotts · 05/12/2016 21:29

We have a web of lights that we just wrap around the tree, they don't get tangled that way.

Except this year DH forgot and has put them up on the window and they look so nice, I might just have to get some new ones for the tree...

Tableforjuan · 05/12/2016 23:08

Wilko do strings of 100 warm white lights for £7 and I think longer ones too.

Original poster
attheendoftheday · 06/12/2016 02:13

Thank you everyone. Especially the tip re warm white vs bright white, I think that is probably why my I don't find my current lights very friendly.

Off to peruse Wilkos stock, webs of lights and other suggestions.

OP posts:
GinIsIn · 06/12/2016 02:45

We have the wilko string of 300 warm white lights on our 7ft tree, and it's plenty!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 06/12/2016 02:58

Homebase have the old type of lights - soft and twinkly, non LED - I got some in warm white the other day. I hate the LED ones, just not the same, even the warm white LED look harsh to me.
2 LED sets are now going to the charity shop, if they'll have them.
They were £10 for a set of 160.

IAmNotACat · 06/12/2016 02:59

I've got 200 lights on a 4ft tree. It's enough.

Kirriemuir · 06/12/2016 06:49

I have 500 on my 6 foot treee. I'd probably get away with 400 though.

BroomstickOfLove · 06/12/2016 07:41

I've been looking at the thread where people have been posting pictures of their trees, and decided that lots of lights seem to look good, so I'm planning on using more than usual this year.

OhSoggyBiscuit · 06/12/2016 07:47

I have 100 lights on my 3 foot tree and I think that's more then enough!

Fairylea · 06/12/2016 07:49

Wow lots and lots of lights! We have 200 on a 6ft tree with lots of decorations as well and it looks fine to me!

Original poster
attheendoftheday · 06/12/2016 08:07

Thanks for all the advice. I have gone for a string of 600 in warm white, so shall see how I go with them.

OP posts:
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