CHRISTMAS DECOR: HOW TO DECORATE A CHRISTMAS TREE

I've been checking out the Holiday Decor

My friends and I had a fun visit to
TPT Home, TaiPan Trading's new store in Costa Mesa,
a delicious lunch at Champagne in South Coast Plaza
and a visit to the home stores there - Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel and ZGallerie

I took photos to inspire you!



TPT Home had wonderful displays



Frosty, Sparkly Whites

A dressed up lamp

Dramatic Reds

Vintage

Chocolate and White with birds and large birdcages



loved this frosty archway

double wreaths hung with rich red silk ribbon

lovely copper and gold

red berries surround a topiary in a garden urn



I loved this idea - wouldn't it look wonderful for Christmas dining?



POTTERY BARN DISPLAYED GREEN AND WHITE IN NATURE'S FORMAT 



Rustic wicker stars, lanterns and white pottery



lots of green, glass and silver

We decided this little guy would be perfect on the Thanksgiving placesetting

Mercury glass hurricanes and candlesticks add sparkle to the garden theme
and create MAGIC

. 

What bit of Christmas magic

do you remember from your childhood?

In our house, no Christmas is complete without our Hallmark ornaments on the tree. 

We started our collection the year we were married 

and my boys look forward to seeing their favorite ornaments each year. 

There are ornaments that commemorate events in our lives,

and ornaments that make us smile. 

No matter how often I think I would like to change the decor on the tree,

I know I can't.  

They represent memories.  

Happy ones - and I wouldn't have it any other way.

http://www.hallmark.com/

Over the years I have found ways

to make changes to the Christmas Tree without eliminating those beloved memories. 

Recently, I added mercury glass and vintage style ornaments, 

glittering snowflakes and crystal garlands. 

They blend nicely with the collected family ornaments,

but create a completely new look.  

It's the best of both worlds. 

I get a change - a new look -

and the boys get to see their favorite memories on the tree.

Added to tree:  Glitter snowflakes from Target and Crate and Barrel, Mecury Glass and Vintage style ornaments from Crate and Barrel and HomeGoods

One of my delights each year is helping others decorate their homes. 

Over the years I've learned a few things to make holiday decorating a little simpler.
 

Here are a few pointers for decorating your tree

from someone who does a lot of them each year.

My top tips for a beautiful Christmas tree.

1.  Elevate your tree.

Even with a large tree, 

I elevate it a little -

a low table, a chest, some sturdy wooden boxes -

just get it off the floor. 

It shows it off beautifully

and leaves room at the bottom for lots of packages. 

Try to keep it in scale though -

a very large tree will look silly on a tiny table,

(and could be hazardous) 

or a chest that is too high. 

A large urn is perfect for a smaller or narrow tree.

 2. Start with the lights. 

Put them on so that they are easily removed - 

(no elaborate twisting or wrapping, but do weave over and under

so they stay in place and don't fall off.)

Use a minimum of 100 lights per foot of tree. 

(7 foot tree - 700 lights - minimum).

3. Come out to the tip of the branch with the light strand

and back into the trunk of the tree,

Taking the lights back in to the trunk of the tree

makes the tree GLOW!

4. Make sure your strands are lighted when you are putting them on the tree,

never connect more than the package recommends

(usually about 3 strands). 

Use a power strip at the back of the tree and have all the lights connect from there. 

It helps to step back and squint

to make sure you don't have any dark holes that need to be filled in. 

5.  Don't circle the tree with each light strand -

it also makes it a pain to remove -

and you a little dizzy. 

Instead, go from the bottom to the top -

weaving back and forth on one side of the tree,

then move to the next side. 

Removing is a snap. 

6.  If you are using ribbon, put it on next. 

(You don't want to be doing this with ornaments in the way.) 

Use ribbon that is at least 3-4" wide,

and go back and forth across a section or side of the tree,

from bottom to top. 

Tuck and twist it in and out - so it twists in and out of the tree.

Disappearing and reappearing so you don't see

any vertical jumps, and

so that if you need to start a new strand of ribbon, 

it's easy to have the end disappear, and the new strand 'reappear' 

I never, never, never, just let it hang down from the top. 

But that's just my particular pet peeve...

7.  If you have a fresh tree you will probably have holes, 

(big spaces that need filling)

You can use oversized ornaments (later) or a filler

I use faux pine branches, attached with green pipe cleaner

so that they look like part of the tree

8.  Add your berried branches, or sparkly twigs now

  (Save some for the top of the tree, as well.)

Tuck them in as if they are actually growing out of the tree branch -

in the same direction of the branch - a little upward

Use green chenille pipe cleaner or green paper covered garden ties to attach, if needed.   

9.  Once the lights and ribbon are on,

add your larger ornaments. 

Space them equally around the tree,

then add your medium ornaments

and then small. 

(I start with the Hallmark ornaments,

then the ball ornaments and vintage style ornaments,

and end up with a sprinkling of glittered snowflakes). 

Don't make the mistake of hanging ornaments

only on the ends of the branches.  

Layer your ornaments inside, deeper along the branches, as well. 

It gives a feeling of depth.

10.  Garland is added after the ornaments - if you are using it. 

Make sure you have enough so that it doesn't look too sparse. 

Space it  nicely so that it compliments your ornaments

and doesn't take it over.

11.  Add your tree topper.  

And that can be a lot of different things, or nothing at all

I like to use sparkling branches,

or something large and wonderful

that blends nicely with the theme of the tree.  

No doubt you have your favorites. 

12.  If you have used a table, boxes or a chest to elevate your tree, you may want to cover it with fabric,

unless it is attractive on its own. 

A traditional tree skirt can stand alone on a floor-bound tree
or go on top of fabric,

or you can use more draped fabric.

the goal being to hide the tree stand and

create a backdrop for packages

13.  Just because you have

a particular ornament or decoration (or tree topper)

doesn't mean you have to use it. 

You have my permission to retire dated,

old or tacky decorations

and any ornaments that don't make your heart 'sing'. 

If you can't bear to toss them, donate them. 

14. Your tree should be glowing,

well balanced,

and beautiful -

take a step back and admire your handiwork!

and make any last minute adjustments....

And best wishes for a beautiful tree!