CELESTIAL SETTING

       We hung our comets in trees 10 to 12 feet apart. To determine  how many feet of string lights you will need, measure the distance between the two trees, add 8 to 12 inches ( so the tail forms a swag ), and multiply this number by 8
       1. In a well-ventilated area, spray-paint a 24-inch star-shaped wire wreath form white.  Let dry completely.
       2. Plus in a 12-foot strand of LED rope lights, and secure end to an outer point on the star with a small zip tie.  Trim tie end.  Wrap rope lights around outermost wire of star ( A ), securing strand with small zip ties ( rope lights will not wrap an even number of times around the star ) . Trim the ends.
       3. Using a 3/16-inch bit, drill 5 holes into a 44-inch lenghth of wooden lattice strip ( 1  1/2-by-3/4-inch ),spacing the first hole 2 inches from the top and all of the other holes 10 inches apart.  Place a 2-inch binder ring in each of the holes.
       4. Attach 2 adjacent outer poits of star to the tree trunk with large zip ties. ( if necessary, thread zip ties together to reach around tree. )  Trim the ends . Attach 1 additional binder ring to inner point of star, opposite side fixed to tree.
       5. Attach lattice strip to second tree by lashing it vertically to trunk with large zip ties postioning the top 3 to 4 feet lower than bottom of star. Trim tie ends.
       6. To make comet tails, secure prong end of a 100-bulb strand of white wire mini lights to top binder ring on strip with small zip tie.  Trim tie end.  Pass light strand through binder ring on star ( B ) and back toward strip, plugging in more light strands as needed.  Insert strand through next  binder ring down on strip ( C ), and loop it back through star's ring.  Repeat, finishing at strip's bottom ring.

                                          Martha Stewart Holiday