HOW TO DECORATE YOUR TREE LIKE A DESIGNER

NEUTRALS AND RETRO are two themes that have emerged this year!

...BUT...have you ever seen people with these amazing Christmas trees that look magazine worthy, and you imagine they must be so expensive (and difficult) to create? So, you go find your ornaments and tinsel and colored lights and style that tree like it's 1991. Don't get me wrong - that's an ICONIC Christmas style and should be revered! But if you're feeling a bit more creative, allow me to share some designer tips that will give you a DESIGNER-INSPIRED TREE AT AN AFFORDABLE COST!

HOW TO DECORATE A TREE LIKE A PRO:

#1 - Get the Tree

We are not fighting here. Real Tree vs Faux Tree. There are room for both in our hearts and homes. Pick whichever one you like. Pro tip: Put on a pair of well-fitting gloves so the tree needles don't make your hands look like they've been mauled by a small bear.

FAUX: Lift and separate the branches and tips to lose that “packed away” look. This will make more room for lights, garland and ornaments later.

LIVE: Real trees have a best side (just like you, when you're taking a picture) FIND THE BEST SIDE – the place where the branches are most evenly spaced and symmetrical – as your “front.” It’s OK if it’s a little off-kilter, though: That’s what makes live trees so charming. Also, don’t be afraid to gently trim a branch here and there to get the shape you want, especially at the bottom.

#2 - Lights

FAUX: Many faux trees come with lights already attached (which is the singular reason you should RESPECT a fake tree because this is a gift from heaven). Pro tip: Turn them on to make sure everything is working BEFORE you deep dive into your decorating. Otherwise, the fastest way to find yourself at the bottom of a spiked bottle of eggnog is to decorate an entire tree, only to realize half of the lights don't work.

LIVE: To add glitz to a live tree, start at the top and wrap the wire tightly around the branches as you go, planting connectors deep within the tree so they can’t be seen. Keep the lights turned on. Don’t be tempted to cheat and cheat the backside of the tree: Lights back there create extra sparkle and depth. You'll thank me later for this.

#5 - SWAG(GER) for Faux trees

The key to giving your faux tree is to put filler branches into the "holes" - fluffing your tree by spreading your branches will go a long way, but you can make your tree look full (and real) with swags and filler branches.

My favorite place to find filler branches is BALSAM HILL.

#4 - BOWS, RIBBON, GARLAND

Come one, come all! Pro tip (that will blow your mind): a professional tree decorator taught me that MORE IS BETTER when it comes to a tree. Spacing is important, but you CAN'T have "too much!" You can have a few pieces of decorative garland that is strategically place between billowly rows of ribbon while bows and other fabrics are tucked into branches.

#5 - ORNAMENTS

Sentimental ornaments should be hung on branches while your more decorative ornaments (like velvet or glass balls) should be tucked into the tree (literally, just push that little ornament ball of glitter and glam into the tree).

WHEN IN DOUBT...ADD MORE!! 

Merry Christmas and Happy Tree Designing!