How to Put Christmas Tree Lights on a Christmas Tree: Part Two

The Plan:

Before you start getting all willy-nilly and crazy with the Christmas tree lights, take a few minutes to think it all through.  A little planning in the beginnig will save you from making a midnight run to WalMart or prevent an early morning visit from the fire department.

1. Check out your inventory.  Do you have enough lights?  I have in front of me a box of miniature white Christmas tree lights that I picked up after season for around 50 cents.  Why haven't I ever bothered to use them?  Oh.  There are only 20 lights on the strand.  20 lights!  What was I thinking?  At http://www.christmas-light-source.com/How-many-Christmas-lights-on-my-tree-calculator_c_213.html there is a Christmas tree light calculator, determined by the kind of lights you have and the height of your tree.  And how many more lights to add if you really love lights.
2. Is the Christmas tree going to be located near an electrical outlet?
3. Spend some time unwinding your lights and get them organized.  Check to see if they all light up.  Check to see if any of the plugs are cracked.  Make sure the wires aren't frayed.
4. Wind them up into manageable units.  Starting at one end, gather them up in a back and forth looping pattern, like a figure 8 (instead of coiling like a garden hose) is easier to control.  Secure them with a twist tie until you are ready to use them.
5. It will probably take about 1 1/2 hours to put the Christmas tree lights on a Christmas tree.  more if you install on a Sunday while watching football on TV.