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Trimming the Christmas tree is one of my most favorite holiday activities. A Christmas tree adds so much warmth to a room, especially when surrounded by presents.

To get your holiday season kicked off right, decide what kind of decorations you would like to use this year. Some of us like an old fashioned holiday with strings of popcorn and cranberries strung on the tree, while others like a more traditional style, full of ribbons, poinsettias, and sparkle. Once you have your style picked out, you are ready to put on the holiday tunes and start trimming!

 

 

Here are the three things to ask yourself when decorating your tree:
Is there depth?
How does it look from all angles?
Does it sparkle?

 

Before you place ornaments on the tree, you must first begin with the lights. Many artificial trees come pre-lit, which is a great time saver, but if you are using a real tree, you must apply the lights first. White lights work with any style, but it all depends on what you are going for. If you want the old fashion holiday, color lights are probably more suitable. After the lights are up, add the ribbon. Be sure that the ribbon you use coordinates with your ornaments (wire ribbon works best). The best way to create depth is to begin at the top of the tree and start weaving the ribbon in and out of the branches, continuing around the tree at an angle. Be sure that the ribbon is always facing right side up; with the wired ribbon, you will be able to manipulate the ribbon better. Weaving the ribbon towards the center of the tree and back out again, the tree will become more appealing to the eye.

 

 
Once your lights and ribbon are up, you can start to place the ornaments. With each placement of an ornament, you should ask yourself the three questions, “is there depth, does the tree looks good from all angles, and does it sparkle?” Ornaments should be placed towards the center of the branches, as well as the end of the branches. Again, by doing this, you are creating depth and interest. Ornaments should be placed at staggering heights and try to avoid having two that are too close to one another. Many people forget to step back from the tree, walk around the room and see what angles the tree can be seen from. It is best to place ornaments, ribbon and lights around the entire tree from top to bottom. However, you can concentrate your decorating elements to the main areas where they will be seen but you always want to hang a few ornaments towards the back. Emphasizing the sparkle on the tree can be done by using ornaments that reflect light (ie: glass and glitter). It is important to place these light-reflecting ornaments near the lights on the tree so that they are in an optimal position for reflection and gleam.
Ornaments do not all need to be the same, in fact, the beauty about trimming a tree is that you can have many varieties of ornaments. As long as they fit in the relative theme of your décor, they are perfect to use. For the last few years, and continuing into this holiday season, apple green has been the main decorating color. This color is beautiful when paired with silver, red or even copper. Adding a touch of the fresh green color is sure to modernize any traditional tree. Try thinking outside the box and add items to your tree that are not just ornaments. For example, if you have artificial sprigs or poinsettias, place them in your tree – they can either be set on the branches or add some pizzazz at the top of the tree (instead of having a tree topper) by having a cluster of artificial berry sprigs shooting out the top. By remembering to ask yourself these three questions, and letting your creativity show, you will have a fabulous tree ready for Santa’s arrival!

 

 

 

Text by Christa Rose Falk from blog: www.love-inspire-create.blogspot.com

 

 Read more by Christa Rose Falk on Swide.com.

 

Image Sources:  HGTV Red Christmas Tree, Restoration Hardware Ornaments (vintage handblown glass)/ Snowflake Ornaments, Pottery Barn

 

TAGS: christa rose christa rose flak love inspire create blog blogger home decoration furniture xmas2010 xmas christmas 2010 lights ribbons ornaments hgtv red christmas tree restoration hardware ornaments pottery barn vintage handblown glass snowflake décor holiday tunes santa