Test strings of lights before you put them on the tree. RELATED STORIES Choosing a Christmas Tree Types of Christmas Trees

Ask anyone to name the biggest challenge in decorating the home for Christmas, and there's a good chance you'll hear a horror story involving tangled, blinking, burned-out or otherwise uncooperative strings of Christmas tree lights. While it may seem like getting your tree beautifully lit takes a degree in electrical engineering, all you really need is a good plan of action and some handy hints from a professional decorator.

Together with her friend and business partner Bob Pranga, former actress Debi Staron runs Dr. Christmas, a company that provides complete holiday decorating for everything from "the house next door" to the homes of Hollywood's elite celebrities. The two have appeared internationally on TV, radio, and in magazines, and have created a series of instructional Christmas decoration videos and DVDs. Here Staron offers expert advice for stringing your Christmas tree lights:

• Buy extra sets of same lights.
  When you find the perfect lights for your tree, make sure to buy two or three more sets than you think you will need. This way, you'll have extras on hand if one or more bulbs should burn out, or if an entire string goes bad. Even if the sets come with replacement bulbs, it's a good idea to have extra so you aren't tempted to steal from other sets.
  
• Use correct replacement bulbs.
  Always make sure to replace burned out bulbs with new ones of the correct voltage. Borrowing from a different type of set can cause burnouts and can even be dangerous. Always make sure that all lights used indoors are cool burning and specifically labeled for indoor use.
  
• Plug in before placing on tree.
  Remember to plug in each set of lights and make sure all the bulbs work before you start stringing them on the tree. This will save you the time and hassle of removing a bad set of lights after the tree is trimmed.
  
• Light a third at a time.
  Staron recommends lighting a third of your tree at a time, starting at the bottom and working up.
  
• Hang in "s" curve.
  Try draping the light strings in a "ribbon candy pattern," which is basically an "S" curve that travels back and forth around the tree.
  
• 300 lights per circuit.
  To avoid tripping a breaker, use no more than 300 lights in a single circuit.