How to Decorate a Kitsch Christmas Tree

A traditional tree - red and green glass balls, multicolored lights, and an angel or dove at the top - never goes out of style. But why go generic when you can go kitsch?

Things You'll Need

• '50s Memorabilia
• Christmas Tree Lights
• Christmas Tree Ornaments
• Christmas Tree Skirts
• Christmas Trees
• Cords
• Tree Stands
• String

Instructions

1. Buy a tree and set it up.

2. Put lights on it. Multicolored lights are a must for a kitsch tree.

3. Collect the materials you'll need: '50s-style plastic coffee cups, squirt guns, old Disney characters, souvenir spoons and swizzle sticks, vintage fishing lures and political campaign buttons - anything weird and relatively small and light will do. Church jumble or rummage sales and flea markets are your best sources - don't neglect the "broken" bins. And don't forget some string or cord to tie everything on.

4. Start with the biggest items, then move on to medium and smaller items, arranging as you go. Some items - toys with bendable arms, for example - will practically attach themselves. Use the string or cord to tie the rest of the items to the ends of branches.

5. Don't forget something special for the top.

Tips & Warnings

• Scale your decorations to the size of your tree. If you're decorating a very large or very tall tree, you can use bigger items - Barbie dolls look great.