Last week at Relief Society (a women’s church gathering), a professional tree decorator came and taught us how to decorate our christmas trees. It was a wonderful activity and I learned more than I thought I would. I feel like I need to pass along the wonderful information that she shared with us. I know you probably already have your tree all decorated, but remember everything Christmas goes on sale right after the holidays. You can go get next years decorations when they are on clearance. Remember that when decorating your tree don’t make everything perfect because then when something is slightly out of line it will stand out and catch everyone’s eye. Note: When choosing your decorations make sure to have things that really sparkle and things that are matte. You can’t have everything sparkle or everything matte it wouldn’t be interesting to look at.
Step 1: Setup and Shape Tree
Setup and make sure to shape all the branches, inner and outer. Note: Fresh trees weren’t recommended. The inner needles are dry and dying by the time they arrive to your home, creating a fire hazard. Note: My tree has berries and pinecones that were attached by the manufacture. I have not added any branches at this stage.
Step 2: Choose a Theme/Color Scheme
Choose a theme (snowman, fishing, crystals, elves, whoville, or etc) and/or color scheme. I chose three classic christmas colors: red, bright green, and gold. They remind me of a Whoville theme. These colors also match our christmas stockings that I made last year. If you need a few ideas check out this link that Better Homes and Gardens put together with 14 christmas color scheme ideas.
Step 3: Ribbon
Ribbon (bows, knotted tails, loops, vertical runners, braiding, etc.) goes on first. Something I have been doing wrong for years is my ribbon; I used to place it on last. Silly me, not sure why I did, it made it hard to do around the ornaments. When placing the ribbon on the tree, wrap it around once on the outside of the tree. The next time around wrap it inside the tree. Alternating all the way down the tree. Note: When putting the ribbon on it doesn’t look pretty, but it will when the tree is finished so don’t worry. A 10 yard spool of ribbon is the right amount for a 7.5″ tree or shorter. If you have extra ribbon at the bottom DON’T CUT IT just tuck it inside the tree at the back.
Note: I used a ribbon spool of 3-4″ wide deco mesh that was 20 yards long.
Notice the ribbon on every other wrap is inside the tree. This helps the tree have depth.
Step 4: Stems
Place berry stems, floral stems, and/or novelty stems through out the tree. Place stems out past the end of the tree branches. This is a very important step; it adds depth to the tree. It makes your tree feel larger and more full, while also creating interest for the eye. A good number, per style of stem, is anywhere from 6-12 stems for a 7.5″ tree.
I added 5 different stem styles in our tree.
Place all the stems out past the end of the tree branches.
Step 5: Novelty Items
This is where you add large heavy items. Such as lanterns, elves, stuffed animals, presents, anything really. Tuck it inside the tree and secure it by wrapping a branch {or two} around it somehow. Note: Nothing is too large or too heavy. Have fun with this and be creative. My husband, Kevin, found these amazing hanging, glass, tear-drop decorations. I placed mini balls, of my color scheme, in the bottom and a battery-operated timer candle on top. I love them!
Look very closely; Notice how the tear-dropped lantern is tucked inside the tree. This is how all large heavy items should be placed.
Step 6: Ornaments
Place large ornaments inside the tree first. Medium are next and they sit in the middle of the branch. While small ornaments, sit on the end of branches or stems you have added. I received an ornament every year as a child from my grandmother. These are still the ornaments I have on my tree today. How you can make all your different ornaments you have collected over the years blend in and match your tree design? Tie ribbon that matches your colors on the top of each one. Change out the ribbons to go with your color scheme. I tied green and gold ribbon along with red rick-rack to my ornaments.
Note: This is where my family helps me because I believe that a family should decorated a christmas tree together. I wrap the ribbon and then place all the stems in the tree. Then my husband and kids {who are ecstatic} come help place ornaments wherever they want {sometimes with a little guidance or the tree would fall forward from all the weight on the front}.
Notice how I tied a green ribbon to the top of this blue and yellow glass ball ornament. It blends in and feels like it belongs on the tree just by adding that little touch of bright green.
I like the fun feel that the rick-rack adds to the tree design.
Step 7: Garland
If you decide to use garland it is draped around the tree over the top of your ornaments. I chose not to do garland, but I think it can tie everything together and look beautiful, one year I plan to do words like I saw here. If you are planning to use words, like Ashley did, this is when you would add those. They want to be seen easily and not tucked behind any ornaments.
Step 8: Tree Topper
Add your tree topper. Tree toppers can be hard to find. If you can’t find one that you like just take a bunch of the same kind of stems that were used through out the tree and stick them out of the top of the tree.
Who knows? I might still add a big bow in my stems on the top, like this.
Finished! Now aren’t you in love with how your tree turned out??? I love how ours matches our christmas stockings and how it goes with our tree skirt. I would love to see how yours turned out. Please leave a picture in the comment section below!
Whoa-whoa!