Decorating your Christmas tree can either be just another job that needs to get done during the holidays, or it can be a source of inspiration and fun for you and your family. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of this festive activity.
First Things First Before you begin decorating, there are a couple of things to check on to ensure a safe and steady tree. Whether you have a fresh tree or an artificial on, make sure that it is solidly and correctly standing in its holder. The last thing you need is to get your tree decorated perfectly, only to have it fall over and potentially hurt someone.
Always check your strings of lights as well, even if they're brand new. Replace any broken or dead bulbs and be sure that they don't get hot while plugged in. Also check the plugs and sockets for any damage.
Pick through your ornaments and discard any that have broken while being stored. You might be tempted to hang an ornament that has cracks or small pieces broken off, but hanging sharp objects or those with the potential to break if bumped into is never a good idea.
Have a step ladder ready for reaching the upper branches of the tree. Never pull the branches closer to you to hang things on, or you risk damaging or even toppling your tree.
Liven Things Up With a Theme Many people have boxes of Christmas tree ornaments, some passed down from relatives, some purchased over the years, some made by children, and others received as gifts. This mish mash of ornaments comes together to create a beautiful tree full of memories of Christmases past.
If you're just starting out with your holiday ornament collection, or if you just can't bear to drag out those boxes of worn ornaments out for yet another year, then why not choose a theme for your tree this year and change things up a bit? Pick a Winter Wonderland theme and dress your tree in white lights, lots of glittery tinsel, and snow-inspired ornaments. Or go for a Toyland theme and cater to the kids, with multi-colored lights and small toys tied to the branches with ribbons and bows.
The Christmas tree is one place that you can get away with using scads of colors if that's what you like. Monochromatic trees done in shades of white, blue, violet, or even silver and gold look elegant and classy, but if your fun and frivolous side needs to play, this is your chance. Add strings of blinking, rainbow colored lights, oodles of shimmering tinsel, silvery icicles by the handful, and as many different colored Christmas tree balls as you can get your hands on.
Hang the Lights and the Garland Now that you've got your lights, garland (tinsel), and ornaments ready, it's time for the fun to begin! Put on some Christmas music, pour some eggnog, and start hanging your lights. Start at the top of the tree and work your way down, winding the string of lights around the tree as you go. If your tree topper needs a light to go with it, leave one open at the top for that purpose. Make sure that each light is fastened to the tree securely as you work. Once you have the lights up, stand away from the tree and give it a good look to see if you missed any large areas.
When the lights are done, wind the garland around the tree in the same fashion as you did with the lights, working from the top to the bottom. Drape the garland in a diagonal or wavy pattern for a nice effect.
Hanging the Ornaments Get the whole family involved in hanging the ornaments. You'll want to make sure that they are evenly distributed over the tree. Hang some on the outer branches, and be sure to put some 'inside' the tree, closer to the trunk, to add depth to the overall appearance. As you did with the lights, step back every once in a while to make sure there are no empty spots.
If you're working with ornaments that are of different colors, shapes, and sizes, try to avoid clumping many ornaments together that have a similar look to them. Scatter them around the tree as best you can. If you're using a single color or size to go with your theme, you'll still want to make sure that they are evenly distributed so that your tree will look full and ornamental from every angle.
If you run out of hooks for hanging your ornaments, you can use paper clips twisted to create a hook, or floral wire as a substitute. Ribbons also make pretty hangers for your Christmas tree decorations. Don't forget to add your tree topper!
Finishing Touches If you've hung all of your ornaments and your tree still doesn't look 'full', you can fill in the empty spaces with lots of different things. Spray paint some pine cones with gold or silver paint and hang with ribbon. Hang candy canes from the branches, but be careful not to hang them too close to the lights or they may begin to melt over time. Tie bows on random branches, or use pipe cleaners to make festive shapes for your tree. You can also make a batch of any type of sturdy cookie, and make holes to hanging them just before baking by poking a drinking straw into the top of the cookie. After they've baked and cooled, you can decorate them with food coloring and hang with wire or ribbon.
Synthetic icicles make a pretty finishing touch as well. Hang strands of these silvery icicles all over the surface of your tree.
The last thing you need to do is lay the tree skirt. These are widely available anywhere Christmas decorations are sold, but if you don't have one don't despair! Any sort of fabric will work for this purpose. Use a brightly colored tablecloth, bed sheet, or bath towel instead, or arrange an old quilt around the base of your tree. Fleece throws look great as a tree skirt as well.
Now that you've decorated your tree, sit back and enjoy it! Turn off all the lights, pull the shades on the windows, light up the tree, and gather your friends and family to take in this festive sight. There's nothing like a beautifully decorated tree to bring home the magic of the season.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
