We always put the garlands on after the lights, but before the ornaments, because we don't want to take a chance on knocking ornaments off the tree.

I don't do garland, but I do put on beads, they go on last.

When we decorated a tree we put lights, garland, ornaments. Now we go to Coloardo for Christmas to visit our DS and DGDs.

I think it would go on first so not to cover the ornaments but not using garland, the big ribbon, or tinsel I really don't know the best way.

Loved your compromise!
Personally, I am a garland-last person.

It just depended on my mood. Usually though it went on last. Now I just plug it in. It's only 30" tall and has everything on it. I put a plastic garbage bag over it when I'm done and put it back into the box. About a 5-10 minute set up. The nativity scene is glass and mirror and sits in my curio cabinet during the rest of the year. As far as toilet paper, as long as it is replaced, I can turn it to fit my preference.

Garland goes on before ornaments in our house.

Lights 1st, Garland 2nd, Ornaments 3rd, & Icicles 4th.

Toilet Tissue OVER THE TOP.

I just have the beaded trim looking garland. It goes on after the lights, before the ornaments. Otherwise, it knocks the ornaments loose. My cats do that enough, I don't need to encourage them further.

Tho' one of the cats keeps stealing my Dalek tree topper and I'm going to wring a little fuzzy neck if I figure that out! Because then Max takes it and makes it yell. Really? This is how I'm repaid for taking your fuzzy rears in?

Oh wait, yes, I do find it hilarious. Because the Dalek goes "EXTERMINATE!" and Max drops it and runs to me, like the Dalek is abusing him.

So no fuzzy neck wringing this year.

I always did it first.

Funny tree story:
One year I bought an ornament at a craft sale, made out of a Milk Bone

A few years later we got our first basenji (dog for people who like cats)
One night I looked down at her and she was chewing what looked to be a dog treat. That was funny, I never gave her any, in fact never bought any.

When we decorated the tree, I remembered to put the Milk Bone ornament near the top of this 6 ft. tree.

She had climbed the tree to get the ornament!!!!

No Milk Bone ornament ever again. She was a determined little thing