The mulled wine is on the hob and Bing Crosby is on the speakers, which can only mean one thing - it’s time to decorate the Christmas tree. One of the highlights of the festive season, it’s something all the family can get involved in, from picking up the tree to adding the final bauble. Here are some of our tips for making your tree look full, twinkly and full of Christmas magic.
To begin, decide on the lights you want to use on your tree. If your theme is traditional, white lights will give you a classic and inviting look, whilst coloured lights work really well with more contemporary and modern themes. Begin draping your lights in a spiral, working from the very top of the tree to the bottom. Make sure you push the lights into the foliage to hide wires and create depth. Depending on how big the tree is, you may need two or three packs of 100 lights. Plenty of twinkling fairy lights is one of the secrets to a spectacular Christmas tree.
As a general rule, you should use 100 lights for every foot of your tree. For example, if you have a 6ft tree then you should aim to decorate with 600 lights, 700 for a 7ft, and so on and so forth. You can always add more if you're looking to create a dazzling effect.
Next, add ribbons, garlands, string beads or tinsel at this point. Mix and match different sizes and textures to add interest and help the tree look full. Thick organza ribbons look great towards the bottom of the tree, whilst you can drape more delicate beads around the top branches. Here is where your festive theme starts to creep in - using accenting tinsel to your baubles is a simple way to add interest and depth to your Christmas decor.
Now you can add your ornaments and baubles to the tree. It’s worth investing in a few packs of generic, ‘filler’ baubles to help fill out the tree and create a luxurious, full look. Baubles are a great way to add drama or bold statements, but if you prefer a simpler look, then glass or plain solid colour baubles are a lovely choice too.
You can then add your favourite ornaments in prominent places on the tree to stand out. Place the baubles systematically around the tree, either side to side or top to bottom - this helps you space them more evenly.
Finish off your tree with clip on decorations, such as birds, foliage or reindeer, and of course your tree topper of choice. Remember: the best way to decorate a Christmas tree is to do so to your tastes and interests, rather than what you think a Christmas tree should look like. Now, your tree should look beautifully decorated, full of sparkling lights and magical baubles. Grab yourself a nice mulled wine, sit back, and enjoy your handiwork!
