Christmas Tree
This post has been about five years in the making. It is no secret that I enjoy decorating. I decorate for the seasons to some degree but save most of my holiday decorating cheer for the Christmas season. When Ryan and I bought our Christmas tree, I didn’t have any ornaments, ribbon or picks. I slowly began purchasing items that spoke to me. I can’t say I had a clear vision but knew I wanted the tree to be traditional and feel like Christmas. Now, today, I feel I can proclaim that my tree is full of beauty and fills me with holiday joy!
I’ve been asked by others who have seen my tree … how did I get the tree to where it is now? .. where do you begin with decorating? Well, first and foremost, time and time alone is the answer. Beyond that, I have gathered some basic tips that may be helpful to you if you are looking to decorate for Christmas the first time or to change things up.
Pick a color palette or theme.
If you have ever gone into a home decor store during the holiday season, you’ll typically see various trees scattered throughout the store. Each tree is decorated differently. One might have a rustic, woodsy feel and another might be a display of shiny metallics. If you want your tree to have a complete look, I’d recommend determining a desired theme or color palette. By sticking to a theme or color palette, you save yourself time and money since you will only purchase the items you need to satisfy the look you’re going for. Be inspired by trees you may see in stores, on Pinterest or in magazines. But know you don’t need to replicate that tree exactly; buy what speaks to you!
Estimate what you'll need.
This can be a bit tricky but once you get going it gets easier. If you want a cohesive look, I recommend getting multiples of items. Repetition is a design principle after all! I’d stick to buying in odd numbers, too (another design principle!). One thing I’ve learned is if you love something, buy what you need … or maybe even more than you think you need. You can always return. It is better to not be short since a lot of items aren’t guaranteed to make an appearance the next year. I’ve been lucky that Pottery Barn has continued to produce mercury-glass ornaments, however, I’ve seen them discontinue some of the ornaments I’ve previously purchased.
Shop around.
Just like decorating for your home, decorating for a tree has to happen naturally over time. You likely aren’t going to be able to go to one place, fill your cart, go home, decorate your tree, and be done. If you do, props to you … I know I’d end up with a tree I didn’t love. I didn’t purchase in bulk or at one place. I have kept my eyes peeled over these 5 years for what I might need or what would catch my eye for the tree. I’d sometimes get to the point where I knew I wanted to get specific elements, such as ribbon or dark gold poinsettias, then I’d shop online. Otherwise, most items came from various stores. My favorite places to shop are local decor shops. When you shop, don’t be afraid to impulse buy … I actually encourage it! If it catches your eye, it will likely add something special to your tree.
Buy after the season.
Decorating a tree is an expensive endeavor. There’s no way I could have afforded to decorate our tree all at once, even if I had wanted to. If you aren’t in a hurry to fill your tree, make sure to check online or at stores for sale items after the season is over. You’d be surprised how much is left.
Be aware that decorating is a process.
I would be lying if I said decorating my tree was fast and simple. Because it sure isn’t! It takes time and usually involves me moving stuff around many, many times. Ryan usually helps me put the tree up and leaves until I am ready to add the ornaments at the very end.
Here’s the steps I take:
1) Lights (unless your tree is pre-lit)
2) Ribbon*
3) Tree picks, stems, sprays (berries, florals, pine cones, etc.)
4) Ornaments
5) Topper
6) Skirt (this can be loose fabric)
*I put my ribbon on second because I wrapped it around/throughout the tree. If you plan to weave the ribbon, in smaller strips, throughout the tree, I would put the ribbon in after the picks and before the ornaments. You can also choose to create bows with the ribbon, which I would scatter around the tree, like ornaments.
Other decorating tips!
Decorate in the daylight. The first couple years I decorated my tree at night. While it felt very festive, it is much easier to see what you’re doing during the day.
You want to evenly distribute everything, dispersing the decor so that no two of the same style are close together, but also so that every spot on the tree is filled.
As you are building up your decorations, regularly pause and take a step back. Remember to check all angles, too.
Don’t let ornaments dangle from long strings. Instead attach a hook at the base and attach from there to the tree. The key is to make the ornament look like it is growing right from the branch!
Top-heavy decorations can make the upper half of your tree appear lopsided or cluttered, so make sure to stick those items on the bottom half.
My motto for the topper … go big or go home! A good rule of thumb is to put nearly the same amount of stems in the topper that you put in the tree. Treat your tree topper as a showcase as it creates a nice fuller look to counter balance the base.
Do not let this be something you dread. You can do this! It can be fun! Turn on some Christmas music, open a bottle of wine and let your creative juices flow. That’s exactly what I do!
And most of all, remember that there aren’t any strict rules! This is your tree and you should decorate it in a way that makes you happy. It is such a beautiful symbol of the holiday season so take time to enjoy it!
