~A TREE IN THE MAKING - How I Decorated My Tree~

HOW I DECORATE OUR CHRISTMAS TREE

I promised yesterday I'd share with you some of the tips I learned from attending a "HOW TO DECORATE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE" Seminar several years ago at Dallas Market. I have always LOVED the Christmas decor in the Showrooms and Boutiques and wondered just HOW they got regular old (and sometimes UGLY!) Trees to looks so fabulous! Here's what I do.

First...as you can see...my Tree is GREEN. It actually has some bits of brown in it and it's a little wild and scrappy looking! It is not a pre-lit Tree. I've actually wanted to spray parts of it white (don't faint) but I didn't want to paint over the lights which we do NOT remove year after year. (If repairs need to be made then my Mr. AGPMan does that part!)

So...first off place your lights on your Tree (duh!)

Next I wrap my Tree with WIDE Ribbon. Round and round you go! You don't have to do this in any particular way but do be careful not to wrap it with too much ribbon or you'll run out of room for other things!

DRESSED IN LIGHTS AND RIBBON

Below is a close-up picture for you! As you can tell you can see the wires from the lights peeking out and about...

CLOSE-UP OF RIBBON

ANOTHER CLOSE-UP WITH BERRIES

Next comes twigs of flowers, berries, stems, roses, etc. You don't have to be matchy matchy here! I once bought a flower arrangement and ended up not liking it after I got it home. It was relegated to the garage for over a year. I needed more fluff to my Tree so I pulled out the flowers and stuck those into the tree. If they are too dark in color then dust them lightly with that spray snow. (Spray it outside though...it can be messy!). Below is a close-up of the tree with flowers added.

PRETTY FULL AT THIS POINT

If you are filling your Tree in like I do it should be getting fairly full at this point. I often use springs of greenery (sometimes frosted) to fill in the gaps and even flowers you wouldn't think of as being for Christmas (like silk Geraniums!)

TIME TO ADD FAMILY KEEPSAKES

Once your Tree is to your liking you can begin to add your keepsake bulbs, ornaments, tinsel, bows (I never skip adding the bows...never!), etc. Last but not least I add a big ribbon bow with several long tails to the top. I twist the tails around and tuck them in and out to add fullness.

AND HERE SHE IS AGAIN

In a few days I'll show you the Family Tree I have in the front of my home. It is red-based (don't faint!) and it holds most of my keepsake ornaments and special mementos we've collected over the years. It is decorated in the same manner I just used different colors of flowers, ribbons, etc.

Hope this gave those of you who needed some direction a little help!

Blessings to you as you decorate with joy and love...Rebecca