Definitely first and tuck them in so that the wire and bulb is not obvious from the outside. That way your tree will have depth with the fairy lights flickering from within the foliage. This is what the professional tree "stylists" recommend.
Similar topic - has anyone seen fairy light sets driven by batteries here? I am after some to put in a big vase, so don't want electric cord hanging over the side...
Cheers
love your pic mom of twins.
yes i am putting the tree up, we are away soon, so i wanted it up for when i got back from my hols. i like mine up 1st of december.