Decorating a Christmas tree

My earliest memories of a Christmas tree go back to when I was a young girl. We used to have natural tree (pine) as our Christmas tree. We would then decorate it with cotton wool and wrap coloured garland paper round it. Christmas lights were a luxury; only a few neighbours could afford them.

Times have changed and we no longer have to go to the bush to get the tree. It is readily available in the supermarket. The size you pick should be determined by the size of your room. Otherwise, you may end up with a tree that overwhelms the room or one that is lost among the furniture.

So how do you decorate the tree like a pro? After you pick the right tree for your home and place it at the right position and firmly on the floor or in a pot, you are ready to toast the season. You want to create a tree that expresses your style and personality.

Lights, garland, tinsel, and ornaments are the elements that go into decorating a tree.

Hang the lights: There is really no Christmas tree without lights. They come in a variety of colours so you can pick one that you love and blends with your style. Illuminate the tree from the inside out for a dynamic look starting from the base and work your way up. Wrap the light around every major branch, moving from the trunk to the tip and back. Do not starve your tree of lights if you want to create an impact. Ideally, for each vertical foot of a tree, have a strand that has 100 lights — the more, the merrier.

Garlands: Garlands give your tree a layer of definition. Start draping at the top then slowly increase the amount of garland between each wave as you work your way down the tree. For each vertical foot, use two strands of garland. Step back and adjust as necessary to create an evenly wrapped tree. Ensure your tree does not look very busy by varying the look of your garlands. There are foil, paper, and beaded garlands. Thin beaded ones look best when they hang from branch to branch, while thicker paper or foil garlands look great when wrapped loosely around the tree.

Ornaments: The lights and garlands are up; next are the ornaments. This is where you show off your favourite items ensuring they are in prime position. Get groups of baubles; they come in a variety of colours and can help you in coordinating your tree. Start with your larger ornaments, followed by medium then the smallest. Hang some ornaments closer to the trunk to create depth and interest. The number of ornaments you put on the tree is dependent on your style. Avoid hanging all your ornaments on the tips of the tree branches. Place some ‘inside’ your tree to add depth and interest.

Final touches: With the ornaments in place, you can now put the extras on your tree. Remember to be modest; don’t overwhelm your tree with too much fake snow and tinsels.

Base: The base of your tree also needs to be covered. You can use a lace tablecloth or a fabric that has Christmas prints as the skirt.

Top: The tree requires a tree topper; it should match the theme of your tree. You can finish it up with a star, standout bauble or an angel at the top.

Did someone ask where they can find all this stuff? Most supermarkets are selling them right now. Once Christmas is over, keep your pieces safe to use next year. This is the way you collect your Christmas tree décor to be used over the years.

photo:www.kuwans.com