How to Decorate an Elegant Christmas Tree

There's nothing wrong with a traditional tree - that discordant mix of children's craft projects, candy canes and multicolored lights never goes out of style. But at some point in your life - when you get married? when you throw your first Christmas party and invite the boss? - you might want to try for understated elegance instead.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Christmas Tree Lights
• Christmas Tree Ornaments
• Christmas Tree Skirts
• Christmas Trees
• Tree Stands

1. Go through your ornaments and see what you've got and what you need. The key to a classy tree is coherence - so choose a few categories of ornaments and stick with those.

2. Make sure you've got enough strands of tiny white lights - for class, nothing else will do.

3. Buy or borrow whatever you don't already own - and resist distractions as you shop. (Elegance takes discipline and dedication: Coco and Jackie knew this, and you can learn.)

4. Buy a tree and set it up. Try to find something that reflects the mood you're trying to set. A fir or spruce (rather than a rowdy pine) is perfect.

5. Start with the white lights, then add the background ornaments one at a time and by category. Stop in between each category to check for symmetry; rearrange if necessary.

6. Position your highlight ornaments for best effect.

Tips & Warnings

• When selecting your ornaments and decorations, it helps to think in terms of backdrop and highlight. For example, you might pick crystal icicles and small silver and gold glass balls as a backdrop and your collection of handmade shoe ornaments from the Museum of Modern Art as highlight.

• Don't throw your old ornaments away - just let them sleep for a year. You'll love them even more when you rediscover them.

Resources

• Santa Letter
• Christmas Recipes