Camera settings for taking portraits infront of the xmas tree?

I need some information for taking portrait photos infront of the christmas tree. I don't have all that fancy stuff so please don't expalin with all that stuff lol I have a Nikon D3000 and the lense is 18-55. I have a tripod thats about it. What is the best settings for the camera for good portait photos infront of the xmas tree - or if there's other ways to make the picture look good that you can do instead of buying the flash that isn't attached and stuff like that. Thank you! Oh and what is the best for taking photos of xmas lights on houses - or like close ups of a single light - the flash will probably ruin it but if you don't use flash then won't it blur?

Whatever aperture & shutter speed combination it takes 2 get the exposure right w/ the depth of field you want.

As far as lites go, use your tripod. It's your buddy.