How many lights?

[pitcherscat]

We're looking at getting a real tree this year for the first time ever. As we've never had one before we've got no Christmas tree lights, so I'm wondering if you could please help me out. For an approx 6-7ft real tree, how many lights am I likely to want, and what length of light string? I'd say if 0=very sparse lights and 10=so many lights you can barely see the tree, I'm probably a 6.5-7 if that helps. Thanks in advance

our tree is normally 6' and we have 2 strings of lights, I think 200 per string, and it is only just enough.

so many more than you think.

Our tree is 6.5 foot and has 400 lights on it and was just about enough. If it's a real tree they take a lot round the bottom as tend to be very wide. Def buy more than you think

Americans say that it’s a hundred lights a foot - to get that 10 look you’re not wanting. IME that’s right - you’d be able to light right inside it in layers with that. So you don’t maybe need 600/700, but you do want more than you think.

Ours is a real tree every year, 7ft sometimes plus and we have 1000 lights.

I kid you not, we are not at home this Christmas, but we are next year, send me your post code and I guarantee you will all hear my DH and DS swearing as they put them up, generally heard from Lands End to John o' Groats.

Personally I only buy traditional lights too, they have a nice glow. I think I have about 400-600 on my 5ft tree.

I hope you enjoy your real tree!

My real trees are around 5.5 foot. I have 600 lights and they are well enough.

Thanks so much everyone, I reckon I'll look for aim for around 500-600 lights, can't wait!

I’d go more.

I have a 10/11 ft real tree with 1500 lights. I think it scores about a 6 on your scale.

Apparently it's 100 lights per 1.5ft of tree!

A good trick for maximum twinkle is also to put one set of lights pushed quite far into the tree and another strong closer to the end of the branches

We have a 6ft tree with 750 lights

I've got 300 lights on my 6ft tree, but only wrapped around the front of the tree, and if I could be bothered I'd deffo add another string of 200 on there, for that really twinkly vibe. But 300 is probably at at 4/5 on your scale (I think anyway).

I have a 7ft tree with 1200, but I do like lots of lights. Also it’s in front of the window so need to go round the back and do the bits that can be seen from outside.

Usually the rule is 100 per ft of tree. But if you’ve got it against a wall you obviously don’t need to go round the back so won’t need as many.

@pitcherscat

Thanks so much everyone, I reckon I'll look for aim for around 500-600 lights, can't wait!

I have 600 on my 7 foot tree and I think it's just right More would be too much!