6 Quick Tips to Decorate a Christmas Tree Like a Pro

If you haven’t decorated a Christmas tree before, or have no clue where to start, then we’re here to help! We’ve gathered 6 quick and helpful tips for how to decorate a Christmas tree, so yours looks like it stepped right out of a magazine.

What to Consider Before Decorating a Christmas Tree? 

Before decorating any type of Christmas tree, you’ll need to consider a few things. Answering these questions before you take out (or buy) decorations will save you a headache later on. 

When to Put Up Your Christmas Tree? 

Putting up your Christmas tree comes down to personal preference. Some households prefer to put theirs up the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Others prefer to put it up at the start of the Christmas season on December 1st. One of the most popular times to put up your Christmas tree here in Ireland is around the time of the Late Late Toy Show, especially if you have young kids. However, there’s no “right or wrong” time to put up your Christmas tree and you should decide based on whenever feels like the right time for you!

Where to Place Your Christmas Tree? 

Once you’ve decided what type of tree suits your needs, it’s time to consider where to place it in your home. The idea of a Christmas tree is to have it visible so everyone can enjoy the merriment. If possible, a place where you can see it as soon as you walk in (and even spot it from the outside) is the best place for it. 

Often, households find that a corner of their living room or family room is the best location for their Christmas tree. A corner is a good location for any statement piece, as our eyes are naturally drawn there. Just make sure it doesn’t brush up against any of your walls!

Another idea is to place it near a large and wide window (without blocking the window entirely). This kind of location allows everyone inside and outside your home to enjoy it. 

What Order Do You Put Decorations on a Christmas Tree? 

Having a set order when it comes to putting everything on the tree, makes decorating your Christmas tree much easier and way more professional looking.

First, cosy up your tree with plenty of lights. For a traditional look, opt for warm white lights. If you want something more exciting and festive, opt for coloured sets of lights, such as red and green or multi-coloured. Prioritising lights first also illuminates gaps in your tree. That will tell you where to put your ornaments. 

Next, add your ornaments and baubles. Since they range in size, these need to come before fillers. Use your lights to pinpoint gaps and dark spots in the tree. Add your ornaments there. 

Inevitably, your ornaments won’t fill up every small hole or gap. That’s where the fillers, such as picks, sprays, tinsel, beads, and ribbon, come into play as the finishing touch.  

How to Decorate a Christmas Tree: A Step-by-Step Guide 

With the order in which you decorate your tree established, it’s time to learn how to decorate a Christmas tree like a pro. From finding out how to make your tree brighter, to creating a cohesive theme, we’ll explain it all here:

1. Position the Christmas Tree and Fluff

If you have an artificial Christmas tree, the first thing to do is get it into position and fluff it. Start by placing it in your desired location and then fluff each branch. This involves separating each small, wired branch for artificial trees. Doing this creates a much fuller tree. 

2. Wrap Your Christmas Lights to Make It Brighter

Next, put lights on the tree. Learning how to put lights on a Christmas tree is a task in and of itself. We’ve created a separate guide on putting lights on a tree for you that you can read here. 

If you’re wondering how to make your tree brighter, then do what the professionals do at this stage. Wrap each strand of lights around individual branches. Alternate between wrapping the lights toward the base of the branch and toward the tip of it. This will create a layered, visually appealing look. The lights at the base of the branch will help to illuminate the middle of the tree more too. 

3. Add Ornaments According to Your Theme or Big Idea

To decorate a tree like a pro, you’ll need at least one element that’s cohesive through all of your decor ideas. This could be as simple as choosing a colour palette such as, a combination of ornaments in blue, silver, and white, gold, red, and green, or even pink and rose.   

You can also choose a theme based on something you’re interested in. For example, you could opt for a “woodland-themed” Christmas tree, and prioritise baubles surrounding that idea.

4. Fill the Tree with Picks, Sprays, or Ribbons

After you’ve added your ornaments and baubles, take a step back. You’ll be able to quickly note where the small gaps in your tree are. Don’t force any more ornaments. Instead, fill those spaces with picks and sprays. You can also add strands of tinsel, ribbons, or bows. Regardless of which ones you choose, this step adds more visual interest and dimension to your tree to give it that professionally decorated look. 

5. Choose Your Finishing Touches

When it comes to decorating a Christmas tree, you have to “wrap it up,” so to speak. That involves adding the finishing touches to it. Usually, this means adding both a tree topper and a tree skirt or stand. 

6. Surround it with Gifts

Finally, why not match your gift wrapping materials to your Christmas tree theme this year? Pop them underneath it to complete the perfect, cohesive look! 

And that’s it! You’re all ready to decorate your Christmas tree this year. Soon enough, you’ll probably have your friends, family, and neighbours asking you to help them decorate their trees too!

When you’re ready to pick up all of your tree decorating supplies, we’ve got everything you need here.