Today, I wanted to share with you my top three designer tips for decorating your Christmas tree. I have had several clients ask me how to decorate their tree like a designer, and I have to admit, there are quite a few. However, these tips are the most important in my bag of tricks because I believe they are the ones that will truly bring your tree to life.
Wrap Your Christmas Tree with Lights
The biggest mistake I see people make when decorating your trees are at the very first two step.
Step 1 – You must fluff your tree. Don’t put it up and immediately start to decorate it. You must open up and fluff all the branches.
Step 2 – Adding the lights. Most lights are simply draped along the outside edges of the branches. But that leaves most of your tree as a black hole.
Your Christmas tree should sparkle with lights from the inside, out. Yes, when properly lit, it should twinkle at you like a clear night sky filled with stars. But how do you do this?
If you don’t have a pre-lit tree, you will need a lot of lights, so go buy some more. You can always return what you don’t use. Now, first you want to start at the top and not bottom so your extension cord to plug them in isn’t running down the back of your tree. The key is to wrap each branch, yes each and every branch, with lights. So, start at the tip-ity top of your tree and weave the lights all the way down, from the trunk to the tip of each branch.
If you buy artificial, make sure you buy a tree that is filled with lights. I selected the Balsam Hill Silverado Slim, because I am very finicky about my artificial greenery.
Use Floral Stems on Your Christmas Tree
The next important tip for adding depth to your tree using floral stems. Yes, these can be pricey depending on the ones you choose, but they are oh so important. These add movement and texture to your tree. I would choose at least two or three different kinds of floral picks for your tree, and have fun with. There are so many to choose from – flocked, floral, sparkly, colorful, just so many! However, make sure that the ones you by are very pliable because just like the tree itself, you want to bend and fluff them before putting them on the Christmas tree. Use them everywhere, top to bottom; you can even use them as your tree topper!
Adding the Ornaments on Your Tree
As a child, I was taught that the smallest ornaments went on top, medium in the middle, and the largest at the bottom. Ba humbug! You should put all sizes mixed together on all areas of the tree. The most important tip to remember when placing your ornaments it place some of the larger ones deep inside the tree. This is for three reasons.
One, they help to hide the unsightly workings of a tree, such as the bulking plugs and any tags that show what pieces fits into another.
Two, they help to fill in gaps.
Three, they add visual depth, interest, and sparkle all the way through the tree. Too many people forget about the inside of the tree, and that creates a dark void.
And last, you can cluster more than one ornament together on a branch. Grouping them together throughout the tree adds more visual depth and texture, as well.
So, grab a glass of wine or hot chocolate, put on your favorite Christmas music, and make your tree shine like the star it is this holiday season!
Are you busy and stressed about all you have to do to get your home ready this holiday season? Our services are designed to help you from the tree, to the table, to where you rest your weary head. Give us a call and let us help you have a very Merry Christmas season!
