Tips For Decorating A Christmas Tree

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'Tis the season to be jolly. But that can sometimes be hard to keep in mind when you're decorating the Christmas tree. Between untangling the lights, arranging the decorations so that they are evenly spread and trying to get the star on top, it can be enough to have you reaching for the egg nog. But fear not – our how to decorate a Christmas tree guide is here to help.

It's been written by Ideal Home's stalwart Decorating Editor and unofficial Queen of Christmas, Nicky Phillips. Having worked on the title for more than a decade, Nicky has decorated hundreds of trees in her time, so there's very little she doesn't know about balanced bauble arrangements and bare twigs versus tinsel. Nicky's top tips are joined along the way, by key experts to give the best advice.

Decorate in style with help from our Christmas ideas channel

Image credit: Max Attenborough

'A perfect Christmas tree is truly beautiful feature in every living room or hallway,' says Nicky. 'Yet sometimes, even when we have selected beautiful decorations and put a lot of effort in to decorating it, it doesn't always come out the way we would like.'

'The secret of a well dressed tree isn't always about the well selected decorations, ribbons and ornaments – it's the way you hang, scatter and place those pieces on the tree. So whether it be a faux or real tree this Christmas, we reveal IH tips and tricks to help create your very best tree easily and stress free.'

Read on, and discover how to create the best-dressed festive fir, step by step.

How to decorate a tree – quick links to the kit you'll need

• Nordmann Fir Christmas tree, from £17.99 plus delivery, Wowcher
• GreenClick 40 LED Globe String Lights with Timer, £15.99, Amazon
• Giant Velvet Tree Topper Bow: £48, Not on The High Street
• 48 Pack of Winters Hibernation Baubles – Silver, was £8, now £6, Argos
• Rattan Christmas Tree Skirt, £35, Garden Trading

1. Place the Christmas tree and fluff the branches

Image credit: Joanna Henderson

First you'll need to set your tree in a secure stand – we'll later cover this with a tree skirt. If you have a faux tree, fluffing the branches is really important, as it will make your tree look more natural and full, and also much more beautiful!

For more advice on prepping your tree before putting it into position, read Real Christmas trees – how to choose and look after them

You can also do this to a certain extent with real trees, but be gentle so the needles don't drop. Another tip – wear gloves because the branches can be extremely prickly and you could risk a splinter.

Nordmann Fir Christmas tree, from £17.99 plus delivery, Wowcher
We think Nordmann firs make great trees as their needles aren't prone to dropping –  choose from a 4ft or 6ft tree, and delivery by 16th December.

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2. Put the lights on

Image credit: Joanna Henderson

If your tree is not pre-lit, now is the time to put your lights on the tree.Firstly consider which lights. 'When choosing lighting for your tree the golden rule is to ensure the colour of your lights don't clash with your decorations and baubles,' advises Georgina Horspool, Lighting Designer at Alexander Joseph.

'Begin with coloured lights to provide the main colour to your tree, then use decorations to provide contrasting bursts of colour. If you have a larger tree, consider using 'globe' shaped bulbs rather than the smaller LED stings – they create a better sense of scale and will be more cost effective. This year soft white light is in vogue.'

All sorted. Now it's time to place them on. The best way to do this is firstly by switching them on, it's far easier to see where you're placing them this way. Drape the light strand across the branches, working from one side to the other, top to bottom to ensure they are evenly distributed.

For best results void visible cords, using green cord lights can help to eliminate this problem.

GreenClick 40 LED Globe String Lights with Timer, was £15.99, now £10.39, Amazon
These pretty mini lights are bowered by a battery pack and can be used indoors or outside. They give off a warm glow that's easy on the eyes.

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3. Add your tree topper

Image credit: Joanna Henderson

Most people think this should be the finishing touch, but when a tree is fully decorated it can actually be quite difficult to fix the topper.It's a real preference, to top or not to top that is the question?

'The tree does not look complete without a focal point perched high on the top vertical branch of the Christmas tree,' says Vanessa Arbuthnott, Founder and CEO of Vanessa Arbuthnott. ' I am a homespun type who wouldn't buy anything plastic or sequinned or tinselled – just plain Scandinavian style using simple wooden or home-made paper decorations.'

A star, fairy or oversized ribbon bow are traditional options but you could take a tip from our Shopping Editor, Tamara Kelly. 'I, personally, am not a fan of traditional tree toppers. They can often be unwieldy. I prefer to take my favourite decoration, and make that the star of the show at the top of the tree.'

On trend… bow toppers

Giant Velvet Tree Topper Bow: £48, Not on The High Street
For a more traditional approach to the bow trend, opt for this velvet version. You can even personalise it to your family.

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Chiffon ribbon – pack of two rolls: £13.99, Amazon
Create your own tree topper with this wire edged ribbon. With two rolls that's plenty to create a rosette shaped show stopper, or cover the house in bows this Christmas.

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Read: The budget DIY wreath trending for Christmas 2020 – here's how to make your own

4. Start adding decorations

Image credit: Joanna Henderson

Our best tip is to put the heaviest decorations towards the inside the tree first, so the weight is supported by the branches. For the around the middle fill with inexpensive incidental glitter or shiny ornaments, that are perfect to catch the light from within the depth of the tree.

If you have a fake tree you don't even need to hang them, they will just easily nestle in amongst the branches.

This step will fill all the gaps inside the tree and make it more three-dimensional and interesting.

5. Hang your key baubles

Image credit: Joanna Henderson

Start hanging your baubles, using larger ones at the base and medium sized baubles in the middle and top of the tree. Limit yourself to three or four different colours, using a variety of matt, shiny and glitter decorations. This will help give your tree depth and more interest.

48 Pack of Winters Hibernation Baubles – Silver, was £8, now £6, Argos
Add these to your festive creation, or just hang them on the tree. At less than 13p per bauble, they're a bargain.

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6. Add picks and sprays

Image credit: Joanna Henderson

Fill the tree with sparkling picks and sprays, branches with faux-ice crystals or snow, faux flowers, or just use natural branches with a dusting of white spray paint. You could try pine cones picks, too, painting the tips with white acrylic paint and sprinkling them with white and silver glitter, to make them look snow-drenched.

Enchanted Christmas floral foliage swag: Was £12, Now £9, Argos
Add a theatrical splash to your creation with this floral swag. You can use it whole or divide up the flowers and scatter them through.

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7. Showcase those extra-special ornaments

Image credit: Joanna Henderson

Now its time to showcase your favourite ornaments, and add an element of surprise. These could be heirlooms or collectables – maybe you've brought back a Christmas trinket from a family holiday, or perhaps you have decorations your children made when they were little. If it's special, make sure it takes pride of place.

8. Time for finishing touching touches

Image credit: Joanna Henderson

Fill any gaps in the tree with smaller decorations, like mini baubles or bells. Or try finishing the look with glass (or acrylic) icicles on the tips of the branches, to create the perfect winter wonderland look for your tree.

9. Choose your tree skirt

Image credit: Joanna Henderson

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Be imaginative with your choice of tree skirt or decorative cover. You could try burlap, faux fur or any other fabric to hide the trunk and any practical but mundane stand. A fashionable option for the modern tree is a willow tree skirt.

Rattan Christmas Tree Skirt, £35, Garden Trading
This simple and stylish design by Garden Trading crafted in Kuku rattan comes in a variety of sizes, to ensure it covers all bases. As it's one single piece, i.e it doesn't unfasten, be sure to measure the base if you have an artificial tree to make sure it fits.

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10. Pile up the presents

Image credit: Joanna Henderson

Related: Christmas tree lemonade hack you need to know if you have a real tree!

And now all that is left to do is pile up the pressies, put the kettle on/pour yourself a glass of wine, and relax!

Tips For Decorating A Christmas Tree

Source: https://www.idealhome.co.uk/christmas-ideas/how-to-decorate-a-christmas-tree-236721

Posted by: andersonmandist95.blogspot.com

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