How to Decorate a Christmas Tree

Guide Note Elaborately adorned Christmas trees are often the focal point of homes during the holiday season, and decorating the tree is a family tradition for many. From the Christmas tree skirt all the way to the topper, make sure your Christmas tree is one of the best this season by learning a few tips on decorating it.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Christmas Tree Safety
Step 1: Set Up
Step 2: Select a Themes
Step 3: Add Lights
Step 4: Add the Topper
Step 5: Add Garland
Step 6: Add Decorations
Step 7: Add a Christmas Tree Skirt
Conclusion
References

Christmas Tree Tips

Always turn off the lights on your tree before going to bed or leaving the house.
Make sure your tree is secure before you decorate.
Lights are usually the first thing placed on the tree.
Add the topper before decorating.
Garland is not necessary, but makes a great extra for your tree.
A Christmas tree skirt will help hide the base of your tree.

Mahalo Christmas How Tos

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by Darcy Logan

Introduction

Christmas Trees are a standard in millions of homes every winter.¹ So, you may be wondering how you can make your tree look better than all your neighbors. Well, to start you will need a good tree. If you do not have one, check out Mahalo's How to Buy a Christmas Tree.

If you already have one, then you're ready to get started. This page will cover everything from setting up to making your own ornaments. By the time you are finished, your tree will rival the one in Rockefeller Center (in appearance if not size).

YouTube: Decorate a Christmas Tree in 3 Minutes (Time: 2:48)

Before You Get Started: Christmas Tree Safety

While you may be dreaming of chestnuts roasting over an open fire, it's not OK if your Christmas tree is the source of that fire. Fires are not the only danger trees can pose. So, before you start decorating, keep in mind these safety tips:

If using a live tree, make sure it is well-watered and fresh.²
Only use artificial trees which are labeled as fire resistant.³
Do not use lighted candles as decorations on your tree.³
Use a step stool or ladder to reach the high places.³
Keep an eye on children and pets when they are around the tree and place tree ornaments that are breakable or have small parts higher up on the tree and out of reach.⁴ ³
If you have small children, do not mix edible ornaments (such as popcorn or candy canes) with nonedible ones.³

YouTube: Comparison of a Watered versus a Dry Tree (Time: 1:30)

Step 1: Set Up Your Christmas Tree

What you need to do to set up your tree will depend on if you have a real or an artificial tree. However, no matter what kind you use, you should give some consideration to the location of your tree.
1. Keep your tree at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators, heaters and similar heat sources.⁴
2. Do not place your tree anywhere it might block foot traffic or doorways.³
3. Place your tree in a location near an outlet to avoid running cords over long distances.⁴
  1. If necessary, run extension cords against walls.³
  2. Do not run cords under rugs.³
4. Once set up, make sure your tree is sturdy and does not wobble.⁴

For information on how to set up a live Christmas tree, check out the following links:
1. MarthaStewart.com: Setting up a Christmas Tree
2. Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet: Selecting and Caring For Your Cut Christmas Tree
3. National Christmas Tree Association: Tree Care Tips
4. University of Illinois Extension: Christmas Trees & More-Tree Care

YouTube: Setting Up Artificial Christmas Trees (Time: 1:57)

Step 2: Decide on a Christmas Tree Theme

Decorating a Christmas tree using a theme has become more popular lately. Many themes center around a certain item such as angels, teddy bears, snowflakes, Santa Claus, snowmen, penguins, sports teams or flowers.⁵ ⁶ ⁷ However, you can also create a theme around a color. Pick one or a combination of colors.⁵ When considering a theme, you should look at the room where the tree will be located so that it uses colors or themes related to that room. At the very least, you want the colors to be in harmony with that room.⁸ You can set the color theme using the tree skirt and garland and add ornaments to match.⁹

Some other themes you might want to consider include:

Adirondack, Country or Log Cabin: Make seed and nut ornaments, pine cones, seed pods, dried berries and leaves.¹⁰ ¹¹ Add tiny bird houses and nests, hammered tin ornaments and raffia bows.¹¹
Alphabet: Use boxes adorned with letters and spray-painted large wooden letters.¹²
Fisherman: Use miniature tackle boxes, nets, lures and fish ornaments.⁵
Gardening: Use miniature flowers, vegetables and garden tools.⁵
Handmade: Use only handmade ornaments on your tree.⁵
Kitchen Tree: Decorate with miniature utensils, teapots and pans. Use a dishtowel for your tree skirt.⁵
Nascar: Use circular race tracks for the garland. Add empty oil bottles, NASCAR number decals, checkered flags, toy cars and similar items for ornaments.¹²
Southwestern: Use chili pepper lights. Add cow, horse and cowboy hat ornaments.⁵
Victorian: Use pink, cream and gold hearts and lace or old fashioned ornaments.⁵ ¹³

Other Christmas themes include:


Beads Birdhouses Birthday Tree Bohemian Bakery Calico Candy Cane Candy Cars and Trucks	Children's Tree¹⁰ Chocolate Citrus Collectibles Computers Tea Time Farmhouse Flowers	Forest Candy Fruit Glitter⁹ Home Office Ice Skating Jewel Tones Metallic Music	Nautical and Beach Quilts Skiing Snowboarding Sun, Moon, Stars⁶ Tea or Coffee¹⁴ Toys¹¹ Velvet⁷

YouTube: How to Pick a Theme for a Christmas Tree (Time: 1:01)

Step 3: Add Christmas Tree Lights

Lights are a common staple no matter how you decorate your tree. They are usually the first thing that goes on your tree. While they are almost standard on every decorated tree, there are hundreds of variations on how you can do it.

How Many Lights Will You Need

With Christmas tree lights, more is usually better.¹⁵ You will need at least one strand of 100 lights for every vertical foot of tree.¹⁶ However, you can use as many as 10 strands per foot.¹⁷ The choice is yours.

What to Look for When Buying Christmas Tree Lights

If you are purchasing new lights this year, you may be surprised at the wide variety of types available. You may need to experiment with different types before you find a scheme you like.¹⁶ Remember, it's okay to mix and match different types of lights.¹⁶

(Creative Commons photo by Radhika Bhagwat)
Buy the best quality lights you can afford.¹⁵
Make sure the wattage of your lights are the same. This will prolong the life of your bulbs by preventing power surges.¹⁷
Strands that have lights spaced 7 inches apart are easier to wrap around a tree's limbs than ones that are spaced 3 inches apart (which is the standard).¹⁵
If you have a flocked tree, use lights with a white cord.¹⁸
Christmas tree lights can be stacked or end to end (aka string to string) depending on the type of plug.¹⁷ Try to purchase the same type of lights.
Use 100-light strands for real trees and 50-strand lights for artificial trees. The 50 light strands are easier to work with and are less likely to burn out.¹⁷
Use a background of white lights that highlight colored lights on the forefront of the tree.¹⁶
Layer several strands of twinkle or colored lights to give them more impact.¹⁶
Miniature all-white lights will complement any decorating scheme.¹⁵
Strings with faceted glass bulbs refract more light and appear brighter.¹⁶
If decorating your tree with a theme, add party lights after the main lights to highlight that theme.¹⁸

Before Stringing Your Lights

Before stringing your lights, there are some things you should consider.

Before removing purchased lights from the box, plug them in to make sure they work.¹⁷
Test each set of lights before placing them on the tree.¹⁹
Keep the lights plugged in as you string to help you spot any holes.²⁰
Divide the tree into three vertical sections and string each section separately.¹⁷
Wrap an extension cord with spaced outlets around the base of the tree and attach it with twist ties.¹⁹

Methods

How you string your lights is up to you. However, you may want to consider one of these three methods:

Start at the base and work upwards.¹⁶ Wrap the lights around every major limb from the trunk to the tip and then back.¹⁵ Continue until the entire tree is covered.
Weave strings of lights near the base of the branches and then move to the outer edges of the branches.²¹ This is the method used by Rockefeller Center in New York City.²⁰
Wind a short set of lights around the trunk of the tree. Then, attach a longer set of lights at the top and spiral it around the tree. The lights should rest on the tips of the branches.²²

YouTube: How to Weave Lights into a Christmas Tree (Time: 1:40)

Safety Tips

Whenever using lights, safety should be your first concern. Here are a few tips to ensure you don't have any problems:

Replace any lights that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.⁴
Use only indoor lights on your tree.³
Do not use electric lights on a metal tree.⁴
No more than three light sets should be plugged into an extension cord.³
Turn off lights and other decorations before you go to bed and before leaving the house.³
You can string together three 100-light strands or six 50-light strands.¹⁷ Do not try to connect more than that.

Expert Village: Safety Tips for Christmas Tree Lights (Time: 1:24)

Step 4: Add the Topper

The topper is what sits at the top of your Christmas tree. While most people imagine stars and angels, you are not limited to these two choices. In fact, if you keep in mind that more is better, there really is no wrong choice for a topper.¹⁸

Although you might think adding the topper is one of the last things that you should do, by adding it first you can get a better feel for the overall picture and balance of the tree.¹⁸ After all, the topper tends to be the focus of the tree and one of the first things people see. Plus, by adding it first, you won't have to try and reach over decorations to set it on your tree.

If your topper sits too high on your tree, then you may want to trim a few inches off the top. You can straighten a tilting topper using wire on a stick or rod to give it a vertical perch.¹⁸

If you are looking for ideas or need a new tree topper, check out some of the following links:
- Amazon.com Search: Christmas Tree Toppers
- Google Product Search: Tree Toppers
- Bronner's Christmas Wonderland: Tree Toppers
- Better Homes and Gardens: 20 Tree-Toppers for Christmas
- Target: Tree Toppers

YouTube: What to Put on Top of a Christmas Tree (Time: 1:17)

Step 5: Add Garland

Garland should be added after the lights but before the ornaments.²³ Although garland is not required, it can be a nice touch to your tree.

Some things that can be used as garland include thin strings of beads, thick paper, foil, feather boas, flower leis, fish netting, wired or mesh ribbon.²³ ¹⁸
There are no wrong or right ways to hang garland, so long as it doesn't hang too tightly.¹⁶
You will need about two strands of garland for every foot of tree.¹⁶
It is best to start at the top of your tree and work you way down.¹⁶
Use more garland on the bottom portions of your tree.¹⁶
Combine fancy and plain garland to avoid making your tree look too busy.¹⁶

YouTube: Adding Christmas Tree Garlands (Time: 1:24)

Step 6: Add Ornaments and Other Decorations

Ornaments are the major parts of your tree's decoration and will vary from tree to tree. The best advice you can follow is to do what you want. After all, it is your tree and it should reflect your personality.

What to Use

Oversized ornaments cost more, but you need less, and can be more visually striking than normal sized ornaments.⁸
Crystals will create a sparkle especially when placed next to the lights.⁸
For brighter lights, add ornaments with reflective surfaces.¹⁶
Pinecones, leaf sprays, berry branches and other natural elements are inexpensive ways to add a natural quality to your tree.⁸
Use specialty shapes to create variety on your tree.¹⁶
Other items you can use on your tree include berries, fruit, leaves dipped in copper gold or silver, ivy, fern leaves, magnolia leaves, clip-on birds, icicles and silk flowers.¹⁵ ¹⁶ ⁸
If you want to make your own Christmas ornaments, then you should check out Mahalo's How to Make Christmas Ornaments

YouTube: Adding Bows to Christmas Trees (Time: 2:09)

How to Hang

There are two basic theories on hanging ornaments. One suggests leaving your favorite or better ornaments for last while the other suggests starting with them.¹⁸ ¹⁶ Both theories suggest that it is the best way to ensure these ornaments are placed in the most visible spots. Make sure you hang them at eye level. This will keep them where they are visible and out of reach of pets and children.¹⁸ No matter which method you decide to do use, you may want to take some of these other tips under advisement when you are decorating your tree:

Start with your largest ornaments and use smaller ones to fill in the spaces around them.¹⁶
Place some ornaments toward the inside of your tree to create depth.²¹
Use green floral wire or colored ribbon in place of ornament hangers because they are less likely to slip off the tree.²⁴
Bend the tips of branches up to help keep the ornaments on the tree.²⁴
Use filler ornaments such as solid color balls to coordinate and enhance your decorating scheme.²¹
Repeat one type (color or shape) of ornament to create unity on your tree.⁸
Gaps in your tree can be gilled with silk flower sprays, bunches of artificial leaves, a lightweight wrapped gift, family photo or large accessory.⁸ ¹⁸

YouTube: How to Add Ornaments to a Christmas Tree (Time: 1:30)

Step 7: Add a Christmas Tree Skirt

Without a Christmas tree skirt, you will find yourself staring at a very ugly base or tree stand. You skirt should be large enough to cover the tree stand but not be so long that people trip over it.²⁵ Beyond that, it is really up to you about what you use.