How to Decorate a Christmas Tree

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A tree-real or artificial
White string Lights- for a 7’ tree about 3 strands of 150 lights
Extension cord
Bulbs – large, small and long shaped
Ornament hooks
Ornaments
Artificial flowers, glitter branches or metallic leaves
Tree topper
Ribbon (2” or wider wired ribbon, about 10 yards)
Tree skirt

Step 1

Choosing a tree: If you are buying a fresh tree, try and get the tallest one you can for your ceiling height. However if you end up with a shorter tree, you can always put it up on a box or crate to give it some height. This also makes room for gifts! You simply cover the crate or box with fabric or your tree skirt and no one will be the wiser. Just be aware of the space, try not to choose a tree that is too bushy if it’s meant for a corner and avoid a super skinny tree for a large open area.
Step 2

If you’re tired of hauling the ol’ tree home every year and needles everywhere, opt for an artificial tree. There are many companies that make great ones. Autograph Foliages is one of my favorites. They look very real, and even have cool metallic colors for a vintage or super modern look. Their flocked trees are great too. Make sure you buy a pre-lit tree, which teaks all the labor out of stringing and removing lights every year.
Step 3

Now that it’s time to decorate, you’ll need to choose a color palette. I know traditionally most people just pile on all the ornaments, which is really fun and often times mostly red and green, but if you want to do something more dramatic, pick two or three colors, like rust and gold, or Fuchsia and lime green to switch it up this year. A few other hot palettes are gunmetal gray and black--mix that in with white ornaments and silver for a truly modern look. Red and white is always fun, as are shades of teal and copper with feather accents. Think of your tree just as if you are decorating a room, then move from your tree to other areas of the house (candles, pillows, vases with ornaments) for a complete look--include the wrapping paper! This doesn’t mean you have to go out and get all new ornaments. Pick out the colors you have that work, like your solid gold, silver, clear or white ornaments and mix those in with your colors of choice. Kmart has a great line of ornaments, as does Target and Michael’s that can really make your decorating extra special, while staying on budget.
Step 4

If you don’t have a pre-lit tree, you’ll need to start with stringing the lights. If your tree is flocked make sure the get lights that have a white cord, if your tree is green, use lights with a green cord. Starting at the top, weave the lights around the tree, making sure to go all the way to the trunk of the tree, in and out each branch. This makes sure the tree glows all the way through, instead of being dark in the center and bright on the outside. This little trick makes all the difference, so don’t skimp on the lights! Continue going around the tree, in and out on each branch until you reach the bottom. Your tree will glow and all the ornaments will catch the light and sparkle and shine!
Step 5

Next I like to add ribbon. This gives a nice flow of movement around the tree, and another texture besides glass ornaments. This ribbon should work with your color palette, and is another great way to bring color onto the tree, so make sure you choose wisely! If you are using teal and copper colors, bring in teal or copper ribbon. Starting at the top trail the ribbon down the tree on an angle, weaving it in the branches in some areas to create a flow. You don’t want to just wrap the tree and make it very obvious, think about making it soft and natural--so weave some in and out. I also typically don’t put ribbon on the back, as you won’t see if it the tree is against the wall. Take pieces of about 3 yards in length and use those. You can also let it just fall off the spool creating circles as you wrap it loosely through the branches.
Step 6

Now that the ribbon and lights are done, it’s time to plug the tree with some other types of foliage--again for added texture and color. I like to use glittery branches, which can be found at Michaels, and many craft or holiday décor stores. I place them sparingly through the tree, making sure to tuck them in the tree so that just the tips pop out for extra color.
Step 7

Now onto the main attraction, the ornaments and bulbs. Most bulbs need ornament hangers, get the silver ones for a flocked tree and the green ones for the green tree. I like to use large 6” to 8” bulbs in near the center of the tree. By tucking these large ornaments back in there, you’ll get color radiating from the tree when you stand back. Plus the large size gives a nice variation to the smaller ornaments on the ends of the branches. So remember, always tuck the larger ornaments in a bit. Also, try and place ornaments where they will be highlighted by the lights--this will give a glow and show off the colors. Using different shaped bulbs, place them on the ends of the branches (but always at least an inch form the end, this avoids it looking like there are ornaments floating on the edge of the branches. Place some halfway in as well and save the really small ones for the top branches that are smaller. If you have darker bulbs make sure the lights are near them to brighten them up. Make sure you keep the tree even, occasionally you’ll want to step back and take a look at the whole tree from several angles to see what is missing. Find the gaps and add an ornament! Very simple.
Step 8

Now onto tree skirts, depending on what colors you are working with there may be tree skirts available to purchase in stores, but if not you can use a fur blanket. Potterybarn.com always has some great ones, or even a curtain panel. Think outside the box and get something that works with your colors.
Step 9

If you don’t have a tree topper, you can use a grouping of ornaments and feathers at the top, or a large star ornament, or even a big bow made out of the same ribbon you used on the tree. Have fun with the topper.
Step 10

For the finishing touch, remember to wrap your gifts in coordinating wrapping paper to the colors on your tree.