To run electricity to the hutch, I started with one long extension cord with multiple outlets that I ran from the back around to the bottom shelf. I plugged the houses on that shelf into that cord and also ran another extension cord up the back of the hutch in the inside corner to the next shelf and plugged that shelf’s houses into it. Ditto for the third shelf. To hide the cords from the houses, I tried to lay them as flat as possible behind the houses and then stood trees on top of them and put smaller trees in front. Hope I explained it well enough.

As far as how long it takes, I had most of it done in four days. My husband took a couple of days off work and helped me with all the manual stuff. He’s not much for the decorating, but he was handy for the muscle. I have storage in the basement and in the attic that I use to keep everything. I’m working to get it all in the basement and away from the heat of the attic. My husband Bruce also built me a large storage closet in the basement where I can keep some of my trees standing up covered with a sheet so I don’t have to tear them apart every year. He’s a great source of help, and I could not do all of this if I didn’t have him behind me. Being an engineer helps also.

Thanks again for the sweet comments. Hope I got all the questions answered.