Instead of disappearing into the branches, the lights on this tree swirl around it in glowing rings that seem to float in the air. The trick is simple: bendable wire shaped into spirals and wrapped in fairy lights. It takes an afternoon, works on a real or an artificial tree, and the wire can be used again next year. Here is how to do it, step by step, with the safety points at the end.
1. Gather what you need
You need a roll of craft wire about 2–3 mm thick, which bends by hand but holds a curve (aluminium wire is light and easy to shape), a pair of pliers, a few cable ties, the lights and a topper. For the lights, battery or USB fairy lights work best, as there's no plug to reach at the top of the tree. Firecracker lights give the rings a sparkly look: little bursts of warm-white LEDs on a fine silver wire that stays where you bend it.
Shown: firecracker fairy lights, 1.5 m with 50 LEDs or 6 m with 200 LEDs, USB powered with a remote.
2. Measure and plan the rings
Three or four rings look best on a tree of 1.8 to 2 m: one just under the top, then evenly spaced to the bottom third. Measure the width of the tree at each height and add 20 to 30 cm, so each ring stands a little away from the branch tips; that gap is what makes it look as if it floats. Write the lengths down before you cut, and add a little extra wire for the hooks.
3. Bend the wire into spirals
Start at the top: wind the wire loosely around the tip of the tree, then let it spiral down and outwards, or make separate rings that get wider towards the bottom. Bend it slowly by hand rather than with the pliers, so the curves stay smooth. Don't worry if it isn't perfect: once the lights are on, small wobbles disappear.
4. Fix the spirals to the tree
Turn the offcuts into small hooks with the pliers and use them, or cable ties, to fix each ring to the trunk or to a strong branch in at least three places. Pull the ring out a few centimetres from the branch tips as you go. On an artificial tree the inner wire branches are the best anchor points; on a real tree, fix to the thicker branches near the trunk.
5. Wrap the lights around the wire
Wind the lights evenly along each ring, keeping the spacing the same all the way round so no side looks darker. Tuck the battery box or the USB plug into the branches near the trunk: with USB lights, a power bank hidden in the tree means there's no cable running down to a socket. For a softer, wider band of light, wrap the rings in ribbon lights instead: a sheer gold or silver ribbon with the lights built in.
Shown: Christmas ribbon lights, 5 m or 10 m, warm white, cool white or multicolor, with a battery box.
6. Crown the tree
The topper is where the spirals seem to begin, so fix it before you adjust the top ring. A big velvet bow is an easy choice: its long streamers can follow the first spiral down the tree. Then bend the top ring until the light looks as if it flows out from under the bow.
Shown: velvet Christmas bow, about 40 cm wide with 160–180 cm streamers, in five colours.
7. Make it sparkle
Hang a few mini disco balls from the wire, inside the rings: as the lights twinkle, every ball throws little sparkles back onto the branches. The mirror tiles are glass, so keep them on the upper rings if small children or pets are around.
Shown: mini disco ball ornaments, 5 cm balls in packs of 10, 20 or 30.
8. Add candlelight between the rings
For a warmer, traditional glow, clip wireless LED taper candles onto the branches between the rings. Each one runs on its own battery, so there are no more cables to hide, and one remote switches them on and off or sets a daily timer. As a guide, 10 to 20 candles for a tree up to 150 cm, 20 to 40 for a tree of 180 to 210 cm.
Shown: wireless Christmas tree candles, sets of 10, 20, 30 or 40 with a remote.
Before you start: safety, power and delivery
- Wire ends: bend each cut end back on itself with the pliers or tuck it into the branches, so nothing sharp sticks out.
- Keep the battery boxes or the power bank where you can reach them, and keep the lights away from heaters, fireplaces and real candles.
- Power: the firecracker lights run on USB (adapter or power bank not included) and their remote takes a CR2025 coin battery (not included); the ribbon lights take AA batteries in their battery box and each tree candle one 1.5 V battery; these are not included.
- Delivery: free tracked shipping, dispatched in 1 to 3 business days and delivered in 7 to 12. Order by 1 December for Christmas.
- Returns: unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery.
More ideas
- New to tree lights? Our guide shows how to put lights on a Christmas tree, with how many you need for your tree size.
- More looks for the tree: 8 Christmas tree decorating ideas for 2026.
- Browse all our Christmas decorations or our 12 Christmas gift ideas under $30.