To hang waterfall Christmas tree lights, fix the top of each strand near the crown of the tree, let the strands fall in straight lines towards the base, and plug the lead into a USB power source. Choose 1.5M for a small tree or a single window, 2M for a mid-size tree and 3M for a full tree or a wide patio wall. That is the whole job, and most trees take about as long as a cup of tea.
The rest of this guide covers the details that make a waterfall look tidy rather than tangled: how to pick a length, where to start, how to keep the strands apart and how to put them away so next December is easy.
What waterfall lights are
A waterfall string is different from the classic single wire of bulbs wound round a tree. A waterfall has a top line with several strands hanging from it, so the lights fall in vertical streams, a bit like rain or a stream of sparkle. On a tree the effect is a soft curtain of colour down the branches. On a wall or a fence it looks like a glowing drape.
The Led Waterfall Christmas Tree Lights come in three lengths, 1.5M, 2M and 3M, and are multicolour and USB powered. The set is plastic, weighs 250 g and packs down into a box measuring 190 x 140 x 70 mm, so it is easy to carry and easy to store.
- Multicolour: a mix of colours, which suits a bright family tree or a playful porch.
- USB powered: it plugs into a USB adapter or a power source with a USB socket, so you can place it where a power point is not close.
- Three lengths: pick the one that matches the space you are dressing.
Choosing 1.5M, 2M or 3M
The length that suits you depends on what you want to cover. Here is a simple way to think about it. These are rules of thumb for planning, so hold the string against your space before you commit.
| Length | Good for | Where it shines |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5M | Small trees, a window, a mantel, a single doorway side | Tight spots where a short drop looks neat |
| 2M | Mid-size trees, a bay window, a shelf display | The all-rounder for most living rooms |
| 3M | Full-size trees, a patio wall, a pergola edge, a fence panel | Wide spaces that need a long, dramatic drop |
If you are between two sizes, go longer. A strand that reaches the base of the tree and rests on the skirt looks intentional. A strand that stops halfway looks unfinished. If your tree is slim, a longer string can also be gathered or looped back up at the top so the streams fall closer together.
Measure before you buy
Measure the height of the tree from the crown to the bottom branches, not to the floor. Then measure the width at the widest point. A tall, narrow tree wants the longer drop. A short, wide tree wants more strands spread across, so you may like to hang the string in a spiral or in two sections.
How to hang them on a Christmas tree
Dress the tree with lights before ornaments, because lights sit behind and between the branches and ornaments sit in front. Follow these steps.
- Test first. Plug the string in on the floor before you hang it. If it lights, you know any problem later comes from the way it is placed.
- Find your power source. Decide where the USB adapter or power source will sit, then work out which side of the tree the lead should leave from. Keep the lead at the back so the front stays clear.
- Start at the top. Fix the top line near the crown. Tuck it into the branches so it does not slip.
- Let the strands fall. Lay each strand down the tree, following the line of the branches. Spread them so they are evenly spaced around the front rather than clumped together.
- Add depth. Push a few strands a little further into the tree and leave a few on the outer tips. The depth gives the glow a layered look.
- Finish with the base. Let the ends rest on or just above the lowest branches. Tuck any loose length behind the trunk.
Step back and look from the room, not from beside the tree. Squint a little. Any dark gaps or bright clusters show up at once, and a quick shuffle of two or three strands fixes them.
Dress a patio, a porch or a garden corner
The name says patio garden, and waterfall lights suit those spaces well. The long drops look lovely along a pergola beam, down a trellis or over the edge of a covered seating area. For the 3M length, hang the top line along a straight edge and let the streams fall evenly in front of a wall or fence.
Keep the lights in a sheltered spot, such as under a porch roof or inside a covered seating area, and keep the power source somewhere dry and tucked out of the way. In a garden, think about where you will sit and look, because lights are for being seen. A corner you can see from the kitchen window earns more enjoyment than one at the far end of the lawn.
- Hang the top line at the same height along its whole length so the streams drop in a clean row.
- Use clips or hooks that suit the surface, such as a beam, a fence rail or a trellis.
- Leave a small gap between the strands and any plants so leaves do not crowd the glow.
Power: how USB makes placement easier
Because the set is USB powered, you are not tied to a mains-style plug on a long cable. Plug it into a USB adapter, a power source with a USB socket or any other USB output you already use. That gives you more freedom to place the lights where they look best, including spots such as a shelf, a window ledge or a table centrepiece.
A few easy habits keep things tidy:
- Route the lead behind the tree or along a wall edge.
- Keep the plug end where you can reach it to switch off at bedtime.
- Unplug the lights when you leave the house for a long stretch, as you would with any decorative lights.
Quick facts
| Detail | What we know |
|---|---|
| Lengths | 1.5M, 2M, 3M |
| Colour | Multicolour |
| Power | USB |
| Material | Plastic |
| Weight | 250 g |
| Packed size | 190 x 140 x 70 mm |
Three layouts to try
The classic drape
Fix the top line at the crown and let the strands fall straight down the front. It is clean, quick and looks good on almost any tree.
The spiral
Wind the top line gently around the tree, working from top to bottom, and let the strands drop from it as you go. The result is a glow that moves around the tree, and it suits a taller, slimmer shape.
The window curtain
Fix the top line along the top of a window frame and let the streams fall across the glass. From the street it looks like a curtain of colour, and from inside it frames the view. The 1.5M or 2M length is a good match here.
A gift for the person who loves their tree
Lights make a thoughtful gift for someone who loves to decorate. They suit a new home, a first flat, a friend who hosts every Christmas or a colleague whose desk needs a little festive glow. A set that packs down to 190 x 140 x 70 mm is easy to wrap and easy to pass across a table. Pick the length by thinking about where they will hang it: 1.5M for a small space, 3M for a big tree.
Putting them away
When the season ends, switch off and unplug first. Lift the strands off the tree gently, starting from the base and working upwards, so they do not catch on branches. Wind each strand loosely round a piece of card or a small tube, then lay them in the box. Storing them neatly means they come out ready to hang next year, and you can start your Christmas with the tree instead of with a knot.
Frequently asked questions
Which length suits a standard Christmas tree?
The 2M length suits many mid-size trees, and the 3M length suits taller trees or wide spaces. Measure from the crown to the lowest branches and choose the length that reaches the base.
How is the set powered?
It is USB powered, so you plug it into a USB adapter or a power source with a USB socket.
How big is the box?
The packed set measures 190 x 140 x 70 mm and weighs 250 g.
Frequently asked questions
Which length suits a standard Christmas tree?
The 2M length suits many mid-size trees and the 3M length suits taller trees or wide spaces. Measure from the crown to the lowest branches and choose the length that reaches the base.
How is the set powered?
It is USB powered, so you plug it into a USB adapter or a power source with a USB socket.
How big is the packed set?
The packed set measures 190 x 140 x 70 mm and weighs 250 g.
Key details
| Packed size | 190 x 140 x 70 mm |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic |
| Weight | 250 g |
Supplier-stated measurements.
LED Waterfall Christmas Tree Lights, USB - Multicolour
See price & details
