Decorate Your Christmas Tree – Top Ten Designer Tips
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For years I have struggled to decorate my Christmas tree to look beautiful and Pinterest worthy. I know it doesn’t really matter in the big scheme of things. There is beauty in all attempts to honor and celebrate this special time of year and I look back fondly on my childhood trees with bright coloured lights and sparkly garlands. I know some of my Facebook friends have a special knack for making their trees look professionally decorated. While doing my research, I have found some tips I thought might be helpful.
Tip #1 Choose a tree in an appropriate size for the space...
One year, many years ago, I had a real tree. It looked a lot smaller out in the field. When we brought it home, we had to cut a foot off the bottom just to get it inside. It took up a quarter of the whole living-room and touched the ceiling! The new slim trees have become popular in small spaces and there are also some that are flat on one side if it will be against a wall.
Tip #2 If you have an artificial Christmas tree...
Fluff your tree branches before you start to decorate. They get flattened and smooshed together when they are in a box or put away.
Tip #3 Start with the lights, if it isn't per-lit...
Trying to add strings of lights after putting other decorations on is a pain and never turns out well. Even if your tree is pre-lit, you can add extra lights if you like.
Now, on to decorating...
Tip #4 Pick a Colour Scheme...
Whether you like the traditional red and green, multi-colours, neutrals or your favourite colours you can create a “designer” look. I like to pick one or two colours that are complementary, a neutral, and then at least one metallic. Sometimes I stick to silver tones, but lately I’ve liked to warm it up with touches of gold too.
Tip#5 Pick a theme if you like...
The possibilities are endless if you like to do a themed Christmas tree. Having a theme can help you streamline the decorations you use. You can go minimal or maximal. Here are a few ideas:
- Old-fashioned handmade traditional decorations.
- Boho or Glam.
- Teddy bears or toys.
- Birds.
- Cats, dogs or other animals.
- Angels
- Nutcrackers.
- Musical instruments.
- Candy canes or bon bons.
- Cars and trucks.
- Sports.
Tip #6 Add ribbons to your Christmas Tree for a designer touch...
Adding ribbon can elevate your Christmas tree to the next level. Cascading a ribbon down the tree, looping slightly side to side is one technique. It can also be looped horizontally going around the tree. You can vary the widths and colours of the ribbon too. Variations can include making half-bows by making three smaller loops after each larger loop going down the tree.
#7 Next put in larger statement decorations...
The larger the tree, the larger your statement decorations can be. Maybe you will have actual teddy bears or gift-wrapped boxes placed strategically in the tree. (My tree isn’t big enough to do this.) I do have about six favourite “larger” decorations. “Larger” being relative to smaller sized decorations.
#8 Vary sizes of balls & decorations...
Put the larger Christmas balls on first and then the more unique ornaments. Add interest by varying the size of the balls and decorations and place in a zig zag pattern. Pay attention to spread out the colours and sizes evenly. You may want to try grouping a few balls together but remember to repeat the grouping evenly around the tree.
Tip #9 Decorate your tree in layers...
If you have a cheap artificial tree like I do, you may also see a lot of gaps in it. Instead of just hanging decorations on the tips, put some inside by the center pole. Hang heavier ornaments in the middle or on the larger branches. Put lightweight ornaments on the tips so they are not pulling the branches down.
Tip #10 Fill in with picks and sprays...
Finally, fill in gaps with picks and sprays. Place some on top to accent your tree topper or make a topper with them alone.
I hope these tips help. Happy decorating...
You can see the video below for Christmas tree decorating designer tips...
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