Hello Sweet Friends,
If YOU have ever wanted to decorate your Christmas Tree like a pro, this POST is for you. You will find many expert TIPS from others as well as from my many years of experience as a florist; so you will want to SAVE this post and refer to it year after year. The post will include everything from choosing a tree to decorating it to storage tips at the end of the season. You will find links to experts on many tree decorating topics. I’ll also include some Amazon affiliate links. (As an Amazon associate, I receive a small commission if you decide to purchase)
I’ve broken this post into 9 categories below, starting with choosing a Christmas tree.
So let’s get to it!
1. Choosing a Christmas Tree
To begin, you need to choose whether to use a real or artificial tree. There are certainly pros and cons to each. If you’re having trouble deciding, here is a good article from RealSimple to help you with your decision.
If an artificial tree is for you, choose a good quality tree. You will also need to choose between a pre-lit or an unlit tree. Whitestores has a good little article about the pros and cons here. It’s probably best to avoid trendy colors; stick to green or snow flocked. It will be a much easier to change the colors of your tree decorations from year to year. Walmart usually has a nice selection or trees at very reasonable prices. If your an Amazon shopper, here is a nice full 6 ft. pre-lit tree for a reasonable price https://amzn.to/3DKJSMP or if your budget allows, Balsam Hill has some gorgeous tree options like this https://amzn.to/3DNXZ4h.
With any artificial tree, you will need to fluff the branches. This step is a little time-consuming but is definitely worth the time and effort. Start with the lower branches and work your way up to the top of the tree. If your tree is in sections, it is easier to fluff the bottom section before adding the next.
If a real tree is for you, Bob Vila has a great article on choosing and caring for a real Christmas tree here. Some of the highlights are that fresh trees last about four weeks; fir and cypress generally last longer than pine and spruce. Keep a fresh tree watered, cool, and away from direct sunlight. Make sure you have a good sturdy tree stand, especially if you have a large fresh Christmas tree year after year. This tree stand may be pricey but is a best seller on Amazon, and has a 5-star rating https://amzn.to/3DIpwnA.
2. Lights
If you have an artificial pre-lit tree, you may skip down to the next topic. If you have an unlit artificial tree or a real tree, then read on. You will need to decide between colored or white lights, still or flashing lights, LED or incandescent lights; and also decide how many lights to put on your tree. A good guideline to follow is that you need a minimum of 100 lights per foot of tree. So if you have a six foot tree, whether fresh or artificial, you will need at least 600 lights. When adding lights, it usually works best to begin at the bottom of the tree and work towards the top. Better Homes and Gardens has a very comprehensive article on different ways of stringing lights on a Christmas tree here. If you have a real tree, you should consider using LED lights because they are safer because they do not get as warm as the regular lights. Find some good info about LED vs incandescent lights here. If you are unsure of what color to use, I feel like you just can’t go wrong with steady-burning white/clear lights. They match any color scheme or theme; it’s just a no-brainer. Here’s a couple great deals on Amazon for 200 clear lights https://amzn.to/3DmXwEz and also for 100 LED lights https://amzn.to/3zrlqhe
3. Choose a Color Scheme and/or Theme
Now for the GOOD stuff…. choosing a theme or color scheme for your Christmas tree. There are so many different colors and themes to choose from. My decor style ranges from the minimalist, simple, “less is more” look to the very opulent “it’s not done ’til it’s overdone” style. When it comes to Christmas trees, I lean more toward the latter. Scrolling through Pinterest for inspiration, I am never disappointed. When choosing a theme, stick to two (no more than three) colors, and build on that. Here are a few trees for inspiration.
4. Glass Baubles/Ornaments
Glass baubles are a MUST for any Christmas tree. Use colors that go with your theme and cluster different sizes together for more visual appeal. How many baubles do you need for your tree? 80 (more or less) works well for a 7 ft tree. You can get great deals on faux glass baubles in many different colors at stores like Dollar Tree, Walmart, and Dollar General. And honestly, I don’t really think you can tell the difference, so that makes faux glass baubles a smart choice. If you like shopping online, Amazon has a great deal on faux glass baubles; they come in three sizes and 18 different colors https://amzn.to/3zumikV
5. Ribbons
Just like with the baubles, using varying sizes and colors of ribbon will add interest and texture to your tree. Wired ribbon works better than non-wired; it is easier to work with and it will hold its shape. If you want to know how much ribbon you will need for your tree, Stacey over at Wilshire Collections has some good tips.
For ideas on how to add ribbon to your tree, read KelleyNan’s post. I’ve added ribbon to my Christmas tree this way for the last couple of years and I prefer it!
Balsam Hill has more tips on adding ribbon to your tree here.
You can find many different beautiful ribbons at most craft stores but if you prefer to shop online, this the red velvet ribbon I use on my tree and wreaths. https://amzn.to/3Nn8BKp
6. Decorative Picks
Don’t overlook decorative picks for Christmas tree decor. Picks come in many different forms; berries, florals, branches, foliages, pine cones, etc. They can add a splash of color to your tree as well as adding visual interest and appeal. Choose picks with bendable stems for easier use. As with the baubles, you can cluster the decorative picks together for more interest. When I add picks to a tree, I usually just nestle the pick into the branches of the tree without securing it and I’ve never had any trouble with them falling out. Dollar Tree is a great source of decorative picks if you’re on a budget. I’ve seen some really nice picks at my local Walmart too. If you can catch a sale, Michael’s always has a nice selection. If you decorate your tree with traditional red, I LOVE these red berries from Amazon https://amzn.to/3TMT0pU
7. Tree Topper
Choose a tree topper to match your theme and color scheme. Bow tree toppers are very popular but I still love to use a traditional star or angel for the top of my tree. There are so many other options out there now, it can be hard to choose. I’ve seen trees with a bow topper along with decorative pics surrounding it. Southern Charm has a good DIY for a tree topper bow here.
If you’d like a star to top your Christmas tree, here is a really pretty choice from Amazon https://amzn.to/3SqsrsC (affiliate link)
8. Tree Skirt
Choosing the perfect tree skirt to complete the look of your Christmas tree is the final step. Fabric Utopia has some good tips right here. Pick a skirt that matches the theme/color of your tree; make sure it will cover the tree stand completely. Christmas tree skirts are available at a variety of stores or online. Here’s a neutral burlap tree skirt from Amazon that I have and really like https://amzn.to/3DGQgDV They have matching stockings too https://amzn.to/3DM04xz (Sold out) Here’s an alternative set of stockings.
I stacked two coordinating tree skirts for my tree. The red one was from Lowe’s a few years back and the burlap skirt is from Amazon.
9. Storage after the Season
Make sure you have plenty of plastic storage totes, and make sure to label them. If you stay organized and label each box, it will save setup time the next year.
Roll up any ribbon and store all in the same box. Bows made of wired ribbon can be place in the same box. Try not to smash the bows but know that you will be able to fluff them out next year if they do get a little mashed. Any decorative picks and be placed together in a storage tote. Plastic baubles can be stacked in a tote together. But if you have any glass, then store them more carefully. Store light strands wrapped around pieces of cardboard so they won’t get tangled. I also like to add a dryer sheet to my storage totes to keep everything smelling fresh.
For more great Christmas storage tips, check out what Bob Vila recommends here.
I hope you have found this post helpful and that it will inspire you to decorate your Christmas tree like a PRO! I tried to include everything regarding tree decorating that I could think of. If I missed anything, let me know.
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