Decorating for Christmas

By Pocyline Karani

It is less than 48 hours to Christmas! For those who haven’t figured out how to decorate their homes, do not despair as there are a few quick ways to instantly bring on the merry making mood.

As it is quite challenging to get a real or natural Christmas tree at the moment, run to the nearest supermarket and get an artificial tree — and the fun of choosing lights and tinsel can begin.

To spruce up your tree, there are a few easy tips you can follow to make it look better and get everyone enjoying the ritual of hanging the lights, draping the garlands and swags, and trimming the tree with your favourite Christmas ornaments.

Since trimming the tree involves a carefully thought out design, perhaps you should go for a mixed theme where you will bring in the greens, golds and reds. On the other hand, your decorations and ornaments may represent an eclectic mixture of shapes, patterns and styles to create an effect that’s uniquely you.

An artificial Christmas tree offers a quick way to set your house in a holiday mood. [PHOTOS: STEVE NDERITU / STUDIO PALACINA]

The beauty of choosing Christmas tree ornaments is that there are no rules! Don’t let the style police dictate the way you deck your holiday evergreen. This is one time, at least, when you’re free to let your personal taste and style reign supreme.

• So put the lights on first before the ornaments. Placing some of the lights further back on the branches will emphasise depth and leave more room for other items.

• Ensure you have enough lights to create the effect you want. You can go with all one colour or have a contrasting multi-coloured effect. Your other decorations will reflect the lights to create a dazzling display.

• Avoid a 'bunching' effect by distributing the lights evenly across the tree. You can find lighting sets that are arranged as a net that can be draped over the tree. These can produce a very regular distribution, although this kind of wiring can be harder to disguise within the branches.

• Use garlands, beads or tinsel working from top of the tree downwards remembering to space them evenly.

• Hang your ornaments last. That way, you'll be less likely to knock delicate items from their branches.

• At the same time, think of the effect different arrangements would create: for example, you could distribute your larger pieces evenly across the tree and then fill the spaces in between with smaller items — or perhaps create clusters of shapes and sizes in areas that will be more prominent.

• Lastly, crown you tree with your favourite topper! The shops are awash with options such as an angel, a star or some other special ornament.