How
to Make
Awesome Christmas Trees!!!
Designer
Christmas
Tree
Have
you decorated your Christmas tree the same way, with the same ornaments and
lights for years? Why not turn your creative self loose this year! The holidays
are the perfect time to try something new, without letting go of all your favorite
ornaments. We'll show you how to add panache to your holiday decor and give
your tree an updated look that's better than ever.
Materials:
Christmas
tree (ornaments and lights based on a full-size 7 1/2 -foot tree)
miniature white lights, 25 sets of 70 lights
floral wire or twine
ribbon, 9 yards per bow
36 glass balls--small, medium and large for traditional tree
36 ornaments, additional medium and large for designer tree
15 additional accent ornaments (minimum)
Additional
materials
for designer tree:
floral
for clusters and topper--42 stems, 3"- 5" diameter
ribbon, 20 yards for swag
10 oversized ornaments--angels, violins, etc.
Lighting
the Tree
Don't
skimp on the quality or quantity of the lights you purchase--the more lights
you have, the more spectacular your holiday tree will be.
If you need to buy lights anyway, or are willing to invest in some new ones
for a fresh look, purchase the miniature all-white lights. They are the most
popular because they complement any decorating scheme. When shopping, look for
decorative lights that are spaced seven inches apart rather than the standard
three inches; they 're easier to wrap around the limbs of a tree. For a seven-foot
tree, we recommend 25 sets with 70 lights per strand. Be sure to test the lights
by plugging them into an outlet before you begin.
Start
at the base of the tree. Wind the strand of lights around the trunk, then around
and along each limb as shown (figure A). Wrap the lights around the small limbs
as well as the large ones, and then work your way back to the trunk ( figure
B). Continue this process until you have covered the entire tree.
Variation 1:
Traditional Tree
After
you've hung the lights on the tree, it's time to decorate.
Steps:
1. Visually balance your tree by using small ornaments near the top (where the
tree is smaller), medium in the center and large at the base. Work from the
inside of the limbs to the outside.
2. Begin decorating with solid color ornaments that have similar shapes. Glass
balls in different sizes work well. Begin at the top of the tree with the smallest
ornaments.
3. Hang the small balls on the inside of branches near the trunk, then move
to the middle of the limb and alternate the ornaments on the branches as shown
(figure C). You can add dimension by placing the decorations near the trunk
of the tree, then halfway out the branch. Work your way down the tree using
progressively larger ornaments.
4. As the limbs get longer, add larger ornaments and more of them. Continue
to place decorations on alternating branches. When you've hung all your glass
balls, take a break and walk away for a few minutes. When you return, take a
fresh look at the tree. Stand back and view your work from all angles. If the
decorations look awkward to you, they will appear imbalanced to others. Adjust
ornaments that look too close together or too far apart.
5. Now you can add the decorative or theme ornaments. Leave six to seven inches
undecorated at the top of your tree for your favorite star or angel. As before,
start with the small ornaments near the crown of the tree, medium ornaments
in the center and large ones near the base. You can create balance by placing
ornaments on every other branch as shown.
6. The finishing touch is the addition of an angel, bow or star to the top of
your tree (figure D). Then stand back and admire your work!
Variation 2:
Designer Tree
A
coordinated color scheme, large topper and oversized ornaments are the secrets
to designer Christmas trees. Try using ornaments and ribbons in shades of gold,
silver and white or a combination of copper, tan and silver to add style and
sophistication to your holiday tree. When you have determined your color scheme
and made your purchases, the fun can begin!
1. Light your tree using the instructions above.
2. Next, create decorative sprays. For the front of a full standard tree we
recommend no fewer than five clusters, and seven works the best. Bundle three
stems of artificial flowers, fruits or leaves together and tie the stems with
string or floral wire. Eye-catching ideas include:
* silk poinsettias in pink, gold, purple or red
* white magnolias
* ivy, ferns or magnolia leaves
* silk oak leaves dipped in copper, gold or silver
* fruits and berries
* cheery yellow star sprays.
3. Leave six or seven inches at the top of the tree for the topper. Tuck a floral
spray in the upper left side of the front of the tree (below the topper area)
by inserting the stem into the branches. Secure by wrapping twine or floral
wire around the stem and branch.
4. Move to the right side of the tree and insert another cluster into the branches;
secure and then return to the left -- creating a tilted zigzag across the front
of the tree as shown (figure E).
5. Next, drape garlands of ribbons, beads or pearls and connect the clusters.
Don't be afraid to twist two or more ribbons together. Be bold and mix unexpected
patterns and colors or twist plaid and check ribbons or gold and silver beads
together. French-wire ribbon works best because you can bend and twist it into
shape.
6. Next, add solid color glass balls. Place medium and large ornaments (usually
reserved for the middle) near the top of the tree. The trick is to nestle them
into the tree so that they don't jut out and look awkward. If you have a live
tree you can trim the branches to create a niche for the ornament. If it is
artificial, bend the branches down or toward the back of the tree. Begin at
the top of the tree and work your way to the bottom. Hang decorations within
the branches, near the trunk of the tree to add dimension.
7. You can also add oversized decorations such as large angels or violins in
gold or white. These can be as tall as 12 inches. Secure them to the limbs with
floral wire. Hang ornaments on alternating branches so they aren't in straight
rows across or down the tree. Finish decorating the tree.
Note:
If you want to use additional decorations on your designer tree, use items that
are similar in size and finish--for instance, three-inch snowflakes and icicles
made of cut glass, or French horns and stars of brass. Hang them near the ends
of the branches and don't skimp on the quantity. More is better for a designer
tree .
Toppers
Like
the name implies, toppers sit atop a holiday tree in place of or in conjunction
with a star or angel. They are large and sometimes outrageous. You can't go
wrong creating a topper as long as you follow this rule: More is better! Toppers
are accented with long feathers, stars on wire, glitter sticks or netting and
ribbon.
Steps:
1. Once you've hung all the decorations, it's time to top your tree. Toppers
look more complicated to create than they are. If you aren't an accomplished
bow-maker, pay to have them made when you purchase the ribbon. Floral supply
houses and Christmas specialty stores may have a minimal charge for this service.
If your tree stands in a corner and you decorated only the front, you'll need
only one bow. Use two bows if you decorated the entire tree, and three if you
like the extravagant look of a huge topper. Secure the bows to the top of the
tree with floral wire.
2. Around the bow or center of the treetop, insert and secure decorative glitter
sticks and/or long feathers (figure F). There is no hard-and-fast rule about
how many you should use, so stand back from the tree and continue adding until
you get the look you want.
Shopping
Tips
The
cost of purchasing a tree, several strands of lights and a variety of ornaments
may be more than your holiday budget can handle. Here are some money-saving
tips that will help:
* Purchase basic glass ornaments at discount or outlet stores.
* Shop yard sales for unique items that you can use for ornaments. Often you
can find an artificial tree too.
* Create your own ornaments--stuff lace or kid gloves with holiday potpourri,
make decorations from Styrofoam balls or tin.
* Request ornaments as gifts from family and friends.
* Many stores sell last years' ornaments and artificial trees at reduced prices
.
* Purchase expensive ornaments after Christmas when the markdowns are best.
And
remember, what makes the season perfect isn't just the Christmas decor but what's
in your heart. Happy Holidays!
