A Christmas tree is a global tradition that has been celebrated and decorated for centuries, symbolizing hope, joy and peace during the holiday season. It has been seen as a symbol of birth and renewal, representing eternal life. Christmas trees serve as a focal point for celebrating the holiday and have been traced back to the 16th century.
While these holiday conifers have been a part of religion, tradition and cultural significance, decorating a tree is a cherished event in many households each year, bringing friends and family together.
Placing special ornaments on a tree, stringing lights or adding an angel or star to the top of your tree is a memorable activity for many. It creates cherished and lasting memories, fostering a sense of community and shared celebration. Whether you are decorating an artificial tree with co-workers in your office or trimming a fresh Douglas Fir in your home with children, we can show you how to decorate a Christmas tree step by step with our favorite tips and tricks below.
General Tips
1. Choosing the Tree
When choosing a Christmas tree, there are various options to consider to ensure you pick one that fits your space, style, and needs. Firstly, decide if you want to decorate a real or artificial one. Real trees, known for their pleasant scent, come in many varieties at tree farms and pre-cut tree lots. Fraser and Balsams have strong branches, while Spruces have a traditional shape and Pine trees are often more affordable. Watering regularly will make sure that your tree stays fresh and looking its best. If needle drop and the upkeep of watering is less desired, opt for an artificial style that can come in pre-lit and unlit styles. Check the quality of the materials used to make sure your tree is sturdy. When assembling, look for joints and connections that are secure and branches that cover and look realistic. Artificial styles are also a great option if there is holiday travel and you don’t have the necessary time to take care of the upkeep that comes along with a real one.
2. Space and Placement
Next, keep in mind the size of your space when choosing your tree. Measure the height of the area where you plan to place the tree, including the height of any stands, decorations and tree toppers that you plan to use. Measure the width of your space and leave enough room for the tree’s width considering any furniture, obstacles or walkways.
When planning the placement of where your tree will be, making sure it’s the focal point of a room is a true way to bring the spirit of the holiday alive. Optimal visibility where it can be seen and enjoyed is always a great idea. Make sure to set up your tree in a safe space away from animals, heat sources and high traffic areas where it may cause a tripping hazard.
3. Lights
Choose between traditional white lights, colored lights, or a combination of both while you consider your overall holiday theme and personal preference for your Christmas tree lighting. Before you start, check all the light strands to ensure they are in working order. String the lights around the branches to create a uniform look and tuck some lights into the branches to give depth to the overall glow.
4. Ornaments
Grab your favorite ornaments to decorate the tree. Decide if you want a tree that complements your home’s decor or one that will make a bold statement. Decorating with an overall color scheme and theme is a go to option, while using a collection of mismatched and meaningful ornaments can make for a fun tradition.
5. Ribbon
If you want to add a bit of creativity and drama to your tree, you can decorate with ribbon. Choose from satin, velvet or burlap, depending on your tree’s theme. Using wired ribbon is particularly versatile as it can be shaped and holds its form well around your tree. Decorating with wider ribbons makes a bold statement, while narrower ribbons offer a more delicate touch.
How to Decorate it for Specific Colors
Decorating a Christmas tree with a specific color scheme can create a cohesive and visually appealing holiday display. Choosing classic red and green, elegant silver and gold, or modern blue and white are a few ideas while opting for a single color can offer an elevated monochromatic look.
How to Decorate a Red Christmas Tree
Decorating a red Christmas tree can create a festive and classic feel to your holiday. Using white ornaments, ribbons and lights can give a traditional candy cane colored effect while using metallic colored ornaments can offer a rich luster and a bit of glam.
How to Decorate a Gold Christmas Tree
Decorating a gold Christmas tree can create a luxurious and elegant holiday feel. Gold adds a warm, festive glow and pairs beautifully with many other colors. Selecting gold ornaments to match in matte, shiny and glitter finished can create a timeless and textured look. Pair with contrasting colors to create a statement pop to your metallic shade.
How to Decorate a White Christmas Tree
Decorating a white Christmas tree can create a stunning and elegant winter wonderland effect. The white tree serves as a versatile backdrop that allows a variety of colors and themes to shine. Choosing matching white snowflakes, white lights and ribbon is beautiful for a simple vibe while decorating with vibrant and colorful ornaments can emit a playful and whimsical Christmas essence.
How to Decorate a Black Christmas Tree
Decorating a black Christmas tree can add a bit of drama and sophistication to your holiday decor. The dark backdrop of a black tree provides a striking contrast that allows other colors and decorations to stand out. Silver, gold and bronze can add elegance to the deep black shade while adorning with jewel toned ornaments and lights can make for a bold statement.
How to Decorate a Pink Christmas Tree
Decorating a pink Christmas tree creates a whimsical and charming style that is both playful and elegant. There are many decorating styles that pair well with pink trees including metallics like gold and silver and even rose gold to bring about the feminine hue. Keeping up with the pink branches and adding varying hues including fuschia, magenta and rose are also pretty. Complimenting colors like green and blue is a nice way to offset and create a classic contrast to pink.
Conclusion
Decorating a Christmas tree can be a fun and memorable event to look forward to year after year. Grab your family and friends, pour the hot cocoa and turn on the holiday tunes. Whether you prefer a classic, modern or whimsical feel when outfitting your evergreen, our blog will help you in decorating the most festive tree yet!
