When it comes to decorating a Tree, a lot of people tend to feel overwhelmed as they want their trees to be as beautiful as the ones seen in stores. The truth is that it is actually rather easy to make a tree look that beautiful, and this is going to break it down. Many different professionals were observed to get the information for this, and it will touch on the steps on making trees look as perfect as well as some different style ideas for how the trees can look.

Real Trees VS Fake Trees

People are always debating whether real trees are better than fake trees, but it really just depends on the person. There are many different pros and cons with having either kind, so there is no right kind to choose. Most trees that are used in America are artificial, but there are still a lot of people that love to use real trees for their romantic and realistic look and smell.

Real Trees

The pros of using one of these are that it helps to support the local farmers who grow them, which also helps the economy. It is said there are almost fifteen thousand farms that are specifically for growing and selling these trees. They also help to keep the earth healthy as it takes these trees seven years to grow to the right height to cut down and use. This is seven years of helping provide homes for animals, such as birds as well as producing oxygen.

Families often have a wonderful time going out and trying to find that perfect pick, and this is a favorite for many different kinds. It can be a very romantic occasion to pick from all the trees, and there are usually some other local goodies that can be enjoyed in the process. Once the trees are no longer being used, they can be recycled, and many towns have a place people can take them to be made into mulch.

There are some reasons that people do not use real trees, and one of the major ones is people can be allergic to them. A lot of people who have asthma cannot be around the scent of real trees for long without having breathing problems. This is a very common sense con against having real trees, and it is that the trees are fire hazards. They tend to dry out quickly even people are watering them often, and they can easily catch fire.

Fake Trees

Most of the fake trees that are produced and then sold in the United States are made in China, making it just another thing bought that helps China’s economy instead of the United State’s economy. The main reason people love to use fake trees is that they are a lot easier to work with. Most of the ones that can be bought nowadays are pre-lit, which means lights do not have to be put onto the trees before being decorated. The prices for fake trees tend to be cheaper right off, and they prevent a person from having to buy a new one every year.

As the years have gone on, companies have been able to perfect the look of fake trees, which means they now look as real as real trees. These trees can be very bad for anyone who has young children or pets that tend to try and put things into their mouth. This is because of the materials they are made from but also the chemicals used to make them last. Just like real trees, these trees are also fire hazards because they collect a lot of dust as the years go on.

Preparing the Trees

It is always important to make sure the Christmas trees are standing up straight before it comes time to decorate them. This can be a little difficult when using real trees as there is no guarantee their trunk grew straight, so people just need to get it as straight as possible. As for fake trees, it is a lot easier to make sure they are straight.

After the trees are sitting straight and upright, it is important to make sure they are fully fluffed. For real trees, this is an extremely easy task that does not require anyone to really help. If the tree is bound when it is bought, then it will need to be unbound and left to sit for a little so the branches have time to naturally fluff back out. As for fake trees, this is a very hands-on process and can take some time.

Gathering Supplies

Whenever someone is getting ready to decorate their Christmas trees, the first thing that has to be done is to get everything out and ready. That means all of the lights and decorations should be laid out, and if the trees are artificial ones, then the pieces to it should be laid out as well. The lights should be checked before they are used so that any bad bulbs or whole strands can be replaced if needed before being used.

Topper

The item that is placed at the top of trees is considered its crowning glory, and it can determine the whole look for decorating the trees. Now, there is a wide range of decorations that can be used for the topper, such as a star or angel. Now, a lot of professional decorators believe that the toppers for trees should not be placed at the very top depending on what is being used. For example, a bow does not work on the very top, so it should be placed about a hands width from the top.

Garland

This is one of those items that are not always used for decorating, but it can add a lot of flair and style to the overall look. Now, there are two different types of garland that can be picked from. The first one is a very lightweight one that is more commonly used on trees, but there is also a thicker one that is often seen used on mantels. When it comes to the lighter ones, they can be wrapped around trees multiple times as they are much thinner. The thicker ones on the other hand should only be wrapped around a few times depending on the height of the trees. For example, an average six foot one should have the garland wrapped around it only two to three times.

Oversized Decorations

Having overly large items can make a large statement and give trees a designer look. Now, these items should be highly limited as they take up a lot of room and can make the trees look weighted down and too busy. Now, people can use basically anything they want as oversized decorations; it will all depend on the overall theme and look wanted for the trees. If these oversized decorations vary in size, the larger ones should be placed closer to the bottom and the smaller ones towards the top.

A great way to attach these items is to drill a small hole into the backs of them and use a hanger or some type of wire to attach it to the trees. The thing with using large ornaments is that since a hole is being drilled into them, they can only be used for decorating. An example of this is someone using boots for their trees, so they went out and bought a cheap pair from a thrift store to use.

Filler Ornaments

These are the one thing that people often overlook, but professionals highly believe in using them. They are usually very cheap ornaments, such as plain colored balls, and they are used to be placed further back into the trees. Basically, these ornaments should be partially buried into the branches so just a bit of it can shine through the branches and other decorations. They need to be something that light can reflect off so that they can still be seen but not be something that takes away from everything else being used.

Ornaments

This is one of the final things that should be focused on when it comes to decorating the trees. These are the items that have special meaning or really drive home what the theme is for the trees. There should be a mixture of sizes for these ornaments, but they are not going to be as large as the oversized ornaments mentioned above. It is still advised that the larger of these are placed first before the smaller ones are placed.

Picks

These are the best things to use when trying to give trees a lot more dimension. That is because a pick is meant to stick out of trees a distance from the other items that are used. Now, these should never be placed where they are only sticking straight out. They should go in different directions, such as sideways, up, or down, and a great way to make them look good when placed close together is to make sure each one goes in a different direction. There should never be just one pick used in one sport as they stand out too much that way, and different kinds of picks can be used together to add more design flair.

Ribbons, Beads, and Bows

These are considered extras when added to trees and are not always needed to complete a design. They are great choices though when someone needs some extra filler and wants to add some glitter or glam to their design. Glitter tap can be used as a ribbon, but it can be hard to work with as it has a mind of its own. That just means people have to let it lay and twist how it wants to as they are applying it to the trees. While some people wait to add these items at the end, they are sometimes easier to add before all the ornaments and picks are placed.

How to Pick a Theme

People usually struggle when it comes to picking the right theme for their trees as there is a wide range of options that can be picked from. Now, there are of course the very traditional styles, but new styles are being created all the time. A person can easily make up their very own theme to fit with their personality, and whichever theme is used should reflect the people who live within the household.

Rustic and Minimal

The easiest way to have a very minimal design for trees is to use rustic elements. For example, some simple wooden ornaments with white lights. Pinecones is a nice addition to this design as it is a very nature-inspired item and still simple in color.

Whimsical White Winter

A white winter is a very romantic and elegant look, but it can also add a lot of whimsy to a look. By keeping the decor simple and using some fairy lights, the overall look will be elegant yet whimsical. This is a great choice for people who have very small trees.

Tinsel Vintage

A lot of people do not really like to use tinsel anymore as it can be tedious to mess with, but it is a very traditional choice for decorations. It adds some dimension and nice shiny quality to the decorations, and it can be gotten in several different colors though silver is the most popular.

Monochromatic

This is a very simple design, but it is a popular one for people who are in love with one certain color. Now, green trees can be used with all of the decorations being the same colors, but it is also common to see people get their trees in the color that they are using in the design.

Many Metals

This is an elegant design style that can still have some boldness and flair. There are plenty of different element colors that will look perfect with each other. Now just a few colors can be used or several different ones and it will still all work well with each other.

White and Red

This is one of the most elegant design choices that still has a nice pop of color. Red adds the festive feel, but the white keeps it very refined and simple in appearance. This is also a very traditional color combination.

Cascade of Poinsettias

Poinsettias are a great option for oversized ornaments, and having a cascade of them going down the trees is a simple but elegant look. They can be gotten in red or white, allowing for a very traditional color palette to be used.

Sultry Black

Black is a color that people normally try to stay away from at the holidays because of how dark it is, but there are also plenty of people whose personality being represented works best with the color black. Black also gives a person the unique opportunity to use ornaments that will stand out as anything will stand out against the black.

Plain

This is by far the best design for someone who wants a very natural design and a simple design. This is accomplished by putting nothing on the trees or just using simple white lights. The trees need to look like their natural selves, so no bright and bold colors to make them stand out.

Neon

For a bright and bold design, neon is the way to go, and it can be done in many different ways. It can be accomplished through the use of neon-colored trees, but it can also be done using a normal one. The ornaments are what are going to give it that neon look and make it stand out the most.

Charlie Brown

When someone wants something that is to take care of and does not require a lot of work, then this is the perfect look form. These trees are very small and thin, making them easier to handle, but it highly limits the number of decorations that can be put onto them.

Flocked and Feathered

Snow dusted trees is a design that is a common one for many people as it gives the trees a softer texture and goes well with different things. Feathers are a great thing to mix with this look as it gives some dimension and adds a new texture and some color to the design.

Sports

When it comes to trees that are meant for the boys, it is very common to see them done in a sports theme. This can be accomplished by using the sport’s team colors, but it can also be done by using ornaments that are made for those specific sports and teams.

Gilded

Trees decked out in golden decorations are a favorite among people who want a very glamorous look. The color gold, no matter the shade or shades used, tends to give a strong feel of glam and glitz to the whole look.

Seaside

It is a theme that is by no means a traditional one, but people often love to use it when they go someplace warm for the holidays as it reflects where they usually go. The colors used for this design are usually different shades of cream as there will be fake starfish and shells used to decorate.

Oversized Decor

Even though it stated above that the oversized decor should be limited in trees, there is a style where the point is to be decorated with oversized decorations. Yes, there are other decorations added, but the main items and focus are oversized. A common item used for oversized decorations is ribbons, as bows and just laid onto the trees.

Natural and Neutral

Some people want a design that is going to be simple and not draw a lot of attention, so this is the design style for them. The use of neutral-colored ornaments helps to make the trees look nice but also makes sure it does not draw too much attention to the design.

Baby Blue

Baby blue is such a soft and appealing color that people often associate it with winter and snow. It is common to see silver paired with this color as it helps to keep everything very soft and charming that will stand out. It also gives the trees a coastal feel.

Rustic and Chic

A lot of people love the look of a rustic design, and a great way to make it a little chicer is to add some ribbons or silver-colored ornaments. Yes, other colors can be used to add to the charm of the wooden elements, but the colors should fit well with the wood.

Geometric

With more and more people getting into the look of modern clean lines, it is not surprising that geometric shapes have become popular as well. There are a lot of different geometric shapes that can be used for decorating trees.

Blooming

People just love the look of flowers, and it is very common to find different flowers used on trees, and this does not mean the traditional flowers at this time of year, poinsettias. The flowers used for this design can be any flower at all that a person likes, or they could have special meaning to the person.

Woodland

Being inspired by nature is a common design, so it is no surprise that one of the designs is centered around woodland creatures. This means little birds, foxes, and even deer are the inspiration and decorations used.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to someone trying to decide on decorating their trees, they can feel very overwhelmed as they want it to look like a professional did it. The thing to remember is that while there are many great design options for decorations, the overall look should truly reflect who the person is themselves. The main thing to make it look professional is to know how to properly place everything onto the trees to get the best look.