Holiday Home Series: {Tips} Decorate Your Tree Like a Pro

Welcome back to The Holiday Home Series at The Yellow Cape Cod.  There are no rules when it comes to holiday decorating.  It's all about your traditions and what gives your family the warm and fuzzies.  

With that being said, sometimes the warm and fuzzies come from the beautiful, professionally decorated trees at Macys.  Being a third generation Holiday Decorator, my Mother and Grandmother have taught me some tricks of the trade. Today, I would like to share a few secrets on how to achieve the look of a professionally decorated tree at home.

Beginning with the most basic Christmas tree element, Bulbs.

Using lots and lots of bulbs in the same color unifies a tree with an eclectic mix of ornaments.

Bulbs in the same color with variations in texture give the tree interest. 

Shiny, glittery, flocked, matte finished bulbs all look amazing together and keep the tree from looking flat. 

Lights.

Weaving your lights over and under each branch, and from the base of the branches to the tips will illuminate the tree from the inside out.  It will provide amazing back light for your ornaments and give the tree a twinkling light effect.   

(click here to see how I flocked this thrift store tree DIY style)

Graphic elements.

Adding a large graphic design element (like these snowflakes from The Dollar Tree) will draw attention to the tree.  It will also help space the other ornaments evenly by creating "compartments". 

Adding unusual elements to the tree will give it a more "showcased" look.  Like the trees you see in the retail stores.  I made these monogrammed ornaments with frames from The Dollar Tree and free internet clip art. 

Ornament nooks.

Take advantage of bare spots or openings in the branches to create little nooks for showcasing ornaments that are special.  

Balance.

To create a perfectly balanced tree,  place small bulbs on the top branches, 

medium sized bulbs in the middle, 

and large at the bottom. 

Depth.

Hanging ornaments deep inside the branches creates depth.  Depth is the key ingredient to a professional looking tree.  

Ribbon. 

For perfect ribbon curls, let the ribbon fall naturally from the spool.  Then loosely hang the ribbon vertically from the top of the tree.  The less the ribbon curls are manipulated, the better they look.

The last tip I would like to share is very important.  If you find yourself getting frustrated, stop.  Take a step back and sip a spiked eggnog.

Enjoy the process and you will enjoy the result so much more.

Thanks for stopping by.
To view the entire Holiday Home Series, please click here.
For information on my affordable design services, please click here.
 I am now accepting new online design projects!

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