The dining room has a snow theme. The snow tree is a slim 6.5′ tree and sits on an old round oak table in a corner of the room. This year, I put new lights on the tree. When we took the old lights off, I could tell they had been on a long time because it has been a long time since I went round and round a tree with a light string and that is how they were arranged. On a tree this size, I now do three wedges from bottom to top. Much easier to remove if need be.
To prepare the round table for the tree, we hang lights below the table, put lights on top the table and then place a large round piece of table glass on top.
Command Strips hold the light strings under the table. Easy to remove when needed, we use a lot of these at Christmas time.
On top the table are blocks of wood to support the glass. We use three pieces of 2×4 lumber to support the center of the glass which bears the most weight from the tree. I cut rounds of no-slip rubber (I think it was shelf lining) and we place one under the wood and one on top to keep everything from sliding.
The glass top is placed over the lights and wood blocks.
I place a sheet over the glass. This year we used LED lights under the table and they show up better than the old lights because they are brighter.
The tree is progressing well. After it is on the table I place batting on top the glass around the base of the tree and cover that with a round piece of batting that I scalloped. It has a slit in it so it fits around the base of the tree. I place it over the first layer of batting. The scallops fall just over the edge of the table.
Many of the light bulbs are decorated with light covers.
I bought these about ten years ago and have not seen them lately. Mine came in bags of 24 for $3. You can google “Christmas light covers” or “Christmas light caps” and check IMAGES. There are some other styles available.
They add a lot of dimension to the white lights.
We will finish the snow tree with a garland of silver tinsel and then “snow” it this evening. DD loves to help with that. I’ll post more pictures later. I want to get this posted so you can see some of the progress we’re making.
~~Rhonda 🙂