The dos and don'ts of decorating a Christmas tree
Decorating a Christmas tree is an activity we always look forward to at this time of year. Fairy lights twinkling in the window, cheerful baubles weighing down every branch, and a stack of beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts underneath - what could be jollier? Let's be honest, there are no real rules about decorating a tree, and if you want the full kitsch, you should definitely go for it. But if you're looking for an elegant, classic, foolproof scheme, our own Ruth Sleightholme, who regularly styles House & Garden's festive decorative schemes, has some sage advice to follow.
Don’t forget the base!
Like wearing a beautiful outfit and then putting on scruffy shoes, don’t let your base let you
down! The majority of tree stands are practical but not all that pretty. There are plenty of
options for tree skirts and tree collars out there, however if your tree stump length allows, you
can place your tree in its stand within a barrel or basket. Alternatively, I like to swathe a nice
piece of fabric that compliments the scheme around the base.
Do take time to consider the bigger picture
Like painting a picture, take a moment to stand back and see where on your tree needs some
work. It’s easy to get carried away with adorning your branches and forgetting to step a few feet
away and look for any parts of the tree that are looking a little bauble-bare or decoration-dense.
Are all your heirloom showstoppers migrating to a particular area? Are your glass orbs all
hanging low? Balance is key!
Don't forget to have fun
If you want to have fun but still keep it classy, quantity is key. I will never forget Amanda Brook’s
outdoor Christmas tree covered in red toadstools – pure magic. The theory of having a little bit of
‘wrong’ in your design scheme can also be applied to your tree, so don’t feel you can’t add a silly
little something if it brings a smile to your face- so many things are so serious, don’t let
decorating for Christmas be one of them!
Do always choose warm lights rather than colder tones
These are so much cosier and less brash. Either choose ‘warm white’ or multi-coloured bulbs, also on a still setting.
Don't underestimate the importance of fairy lights
Fairy lights add a lot of atmosphere and warmth to a tree: a Christmas tree can appear as a bit of a dark hulk without them. Always keep the lights on a 'still' setting: there are few things more irritating and distracting than flashing Christmas lights.
Do use connectible lights
Start with one length of lights, unreeling as you go, from the bottom to the top, circling round the tree. Our favourite lights are the connectible LEDs from Lights4Fun. Because each string connects to the next end-to-end you never have to worry about tangles, and can work from one power point.
Don't balance the lights on the ends of the branches
Push the lights quite deep into the branches of the tree. You want them to twinkle subtly, which they will, even from deep within the tree, but you don't want to see too much unsightly cable.
Always add foliage
You can buy a good armful of foliage from a florist or flower market. Choose a mix of that is tonally different from your tree: think pale Eucalyptus or brighter green Ruscus. The different shades of green create visual depth and variation, which can bring a tree to life. Simply stuff the boughs of foliage into the tree, making it appear fuller and more generous.
You don’t need to limit yourself to green foliage, for a spin on a classic manoeuvre you can mix it
up. As per Jolie Richardson’s tree from our December issue, how about using dry flower stems
dotted throughout? Dried daisies give an air of natural fairylights when admired from afar- a few
inexpensive bunches can go a long way when placed individually. Small bunches of dahlias add a
considered splash of colour which will never look gauche as natural colours rarely do. The
bunches will also help fill out the long drops between branches for a fuller look. Plus if you’re
partial to dried flowers in general, they can have a life after the tree comes down. You can play
with scales of flowerheads too. I wonder what hydrangea stems would look like? Whatever you
go for, commit! A few stems will look half-arsed, so place in decent quantity with aplomb!
Do have a theme for your baubles
If you have given the tree sufficient backbone with good lights and foliage, you don't need oodles of different decorations. Simply choose two or three elements and stick to them. It is easiest if these elements contrast, such as our combination of pressed tin and traditional red baubles in the image above. I like to keep decorations simple: I adore just using coloured balls, or candles for example. These Mexican pressed tin decorations are simple, inexpensive and sophisticated, and they go well with the plain red baubles.
Do size your baubles according to the size of the tree
It is a good idea to keep the scale of the baubles in keeping with the scale of the tree. We have a pretty huge tree here, so we went for big decorations, so that each could really hold its own. You never need as many as you expect for an impactful look. For a tiny tree, miniature decorations would look adorable. You can find some very sweet miniature vintage glass at RE Found Objects.
