How to Decorate an Old-Fashioned Christmas Tree

Back in the 1800s, homemade and handcrafted ornaments adorned most Christmas trees. For the simplicity and beauty of an old-fashioned celebration, add antique ornaments, reproduction antiques or homemade decorations to your tree.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Christmas Decorations
• Christmas Tree Lights
• Christmas Tree Ornaments
• Christmas Tree Skirts
• Christmas Trees
• Nativity Sets
• Tinsel
• Tree Stands

1. Search auctions, flea markets and antique malls for antique tin, wax or blown-glass ornaments, or buy reproductions through specialty shops, the Web or mail order.

2. Keep in mind that according to some authorities, ornaments have various meanings. For example, a pine tree symbolizes eternity, a pinecone represents warmth and a teapot signifies hospitality.

3. Make cardboard cutout ornaments, cornucopias, or paper or aluminum foil chains.

4. Hang apples, walnuts, wrapped chocolate and other candy from the branches.

5. String rope garlands around the tree.

6. Add angel's hair and tinsel.

7. Place a nativity scene under the tree.

8. Consider an eye-catching star on the top of the tree for the finishing touch.

Tips & Warnings

• Never put lighted candles on a Christmas tree.

Resources

• Santa Letters
• Christmas Recipes

on 11/22/2005 Since "Angel's Hair" is a skin irritant, it would not be advisable to use it on a tree in a home with small children. Also, 'icicles' and tinsel can be deadly if ingested by cats.

on 11/22/2005 My grandfather remembers shaping colorful gum and candy wrappers into birds, planes, boats and whatever else he could think of and using that to make ornaments. They did not have much money during the depression so they used anything and everything to decorate the tree. also try making a fragrant pomander by pushing whole cloves into a small orange. A classic!