Wirecutter - Decorate your Christmas tree like a pro

Everything you need for a dazzling Christmas tree

A festive living room decorated for Christmas.

DmitriiSimakov/iStock

These tried-and-true tricks will make setting up for the holidays (and pulling it all down a few weeks later) an easier, more festive experience. Don’t want to deal with a real tree? Our top artificial tree pick creates a convincing illusion of a living fir.

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Splurge on a good tree stand. Our pick since 2012 makes it easy to stand your tree up straight. And it lets you secure your tree with a foot pedal instead of having to turn a set of bolts—which means you can even set it up solo! Word to the wise, though: Kids also love this feature. To a toddler, the curiosity factor of the lever and the bright red lock toggle is off the charts. We suggest adding a padlock through the hole to keep the stand from being accidentally unlocked.

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Keep your tree hydrated. Our watering-can pick for houseplants can keep your Christmas tree hydrated, too. And it’s a delight to look at. The Hay watering can is big enough to hold tons of water, so it doesn’t need to be refilled multiple times before your tree is fully watered. Plus, its relatively long spout can easily reach into branches.

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Invest in the right lights. A durable set of glowing string lights will guarantee a warm, twinkling tree for years to come.

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And use the right amount. You’ll need 100 lights per foot of height. Weave lights on the tree from bottom to top, doing so vertically, going in and out as you move up.

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Complete the festive experience with a hand-decorated gingerbread house. These kid-friendly kits are all fun and no fuss. And, just as important, we’ve got some tips on how to avoid disaster, so shoddy construction doesn’t take you from merry to mayhem.

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Check out the rest of our advice here.

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

The best stocking stuffers for adults

An array of stocking stuffers for adults we recommend.

Michael Murtaugh

In search of a small something to delight the grownups in your life this year? From a classy air freshener to an ergonomic massage ball to a sweet, cereal-scented candle, our experts have you covered with these under-$40 stocking stuffers.

Our favorite holiday photo card service is over 35% off

Erin Roberts

We’ve spent seven holiday seasons testing and comparing photo-card services to find the best and easiest way to send sincere season’s greetings. Simply to Impress remains the best service for creating and sharing holiday cheer, thanks to its lovely designs, swift turnaround times, and high-quality prints.

Currently, Simply to Impress is holding a site-wide discount of 35% off, plus $10 off orders over $50.

30 days of gifts

For the amateur architect

These foam blocks are easy for small hands to grip; they’re magnetized and they float, making them fascinating—not frustrating—for an intrepid tot.

Get the Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Builders

More this week

Our favorite robot vacuums

After a new round of testing, we’ve added the Roborock Q5 and the Roborock Q5+—two smart bots with premium features—as also-great picks.

All of our picks for best running shoes, placed side by side in two rows.

How to choose the best running shoes

Good running shoes can make the difference between a run realized and a run refused.

The inside of a dishwasher that has had its rack removed and looks very clean.

Degunk your dishwasher filter

A five-minute rinse every few months can prevent food buildup and funky smells.

A square-shaped Ecobee smart thermostat set to 70 degrees.

We’ve revamped our smart thermostat guide

A smart thermostat automatically adjusts your heating and cooling systems to keep you comfortable and save you money. Here’s our brand-new lineup of picks.

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