Few things are merrier than the scent of pine as you walk through the door, right? Decorated with festive ornaments, sparkling tinsel, and twinkling lights, Christmas trees make for stunning focal points, and symbolize joy, togetherness, and holiday cheer. That precise combination of red, green, and gold is bound to soothe any Scrooge and gladden any Grinch.
But what if this year, you want to eschew the classic look? Or what if you simply need more information on how to pick, maintain, and set up your tree? Well, get ready to break into a verse of “O Tennenbaum,” because we’re here to talk you through both.
Step 1: Check What You Have
Although the lead-up to Christmas lasts months, it can all end rather quickly. The box of decorations is hurriedly taped up and chucked into the attic, the Christmas tree is toppled, and the cat finally gets its way. By the time next year comes, it’s easy to forget what you stowed away. Head into that attic or basement and run an inventory – count the ornaments, untangle the lights, and tidy up the glitter. Reuse anything that still holds up, and discard whatever needs to be replaced.
Step 2: Choose a Location
Most people typically put their Christmas tree in the same place year after year, but you can mix it up, too. Do you want your tree to be visible from the window, or would you rather it were closer to the couch and TV? Should it be nearer to a power socket so you don’t need an extension cord? Has it proved cumbersome to move the tree in and out of that location in the past? Overall, keep the tree out of your home’s natural ‘flow,’ move it away from heaters, and leave plenty of room around it for gifts.
Step 3: Pick Your Tree
In order to avoid stepping into a Laurel and Hardy-style skit when you bring home your tree, measure the height of your ceiling before you go shopping. If you have an 8′ high room, for example, plan for a tree that’s about 7-7.5′ in the stand. Real trees are poplar because of their scent and sustainability, but they’re harder – and messier – to maintain. Fake trees last longer but aren’t biodegradable and cost more. For more advice on picking your tree, read our “Have a Merry Eco-Friendly Christmas” article.
Step 4: Ready the Stand
Ideally, two people are best for this (the Laurel to your Hardy, as it were). Have one person lower the tree onto the stand while the other tightens it – though not fully yet, to allow for some adjustment. Prop the tree up and check that it’s standing upright. Once you’re happy with the position, tighten the stand fully, and voilà!
Step 5: Just Add Water (and a Tree Skirt)
You’re almost ready to start decorating, but there are two important things to add before you do. Your tree has probably been parched since it was rescued from the farm or lot, so fill the bowl with water and top it up throughout the season. Otherwise, those verdant boughs you admired could begin to droop long before the 25th! This is also the best time to apply a tree skirt. Fan out the skirt around the base and close in the fabric so that it hugs the tree.
Decorating Idea 1: Branch Out With Your Color Scheme
Red and green are the colors most commonly associated with Christmas, but why not experiment with some more unique picks? This year, neon colors are in – think electric blue ornaments and the Pinkmas trend for your tinsel. If the neon colors are a bit too cyberpunk for your tastes, opt for a monochrome aesthetic instead. Rustic wooden ornaments, black and white ribbon, and burlap bows would work wonders here.
Decorating Idea 2: Hang Ornaments That Aren’t Ornaments
Well, we say they’re not ornaments, but really, they are – except they’re not. Confused? Don’t be; just remember that anything can be an ornament. Find some old-fashioned toys, like teddy bears and nutcrackers, and sit them in the branches. Or, plump for a candy theme, and hang lollipops and chocolate coins from each limb. You could even put the kids’ letters to Santa in decorative envelopes and store them in the tree until they’re collected by the man himself. We’d also be majorly surprised if The Elf on the Shelf didn’t make at least one appearance.
Decorating Idea 3: Aim for a Christmas Character Theme
Theming a tree around a particular color or toy is fun, but what about basing your Christmas décor around a favorite movie or character, courtesy of Zazzle? Ring in the holiday season with the help of Mickey and Minnie, or hum the words to “What’s This?” while you hang ornaments from The Nightmare Before Christmas. You could even recruit the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood, like Tigger, Piglet, and Winnie the Pooh!
Decorating Idea 4: Spruce Things Up with Personalized Ornaments
If you want to instantly add personality and charm to a, um, common-or-garden tree, then custom ornaments are the best way to do it. Everyone remembers creating some papier mâché mess for their tree in elementary school, right? Well, resurrect that tradition by personalizing ornaments that reflect the year’s milestones, whether it’s a new baby, engagement, anniversary, or vacation. Thanks to our Independent Creators’ templates, it’s easy to do, and you can add to your collection each holiday season!
Decorating Ideas 5: DIY Your Own Decorations
Or, for an even more personal touch, fashion the decorations yourself. You don’t need a production facility to make ornaments – though trust us, it helps; you can always carve them out of wood, fold them out of paper, or even use LEGO®! While you won’t find pipe cleaners or googly eyes on Zazzle, shop wrapping paper to create patterns, stickers to enhance your design, or stamps to imprint names and dates.
Putting together a Christmas tree is a fun and relatively easy task, and it’s best spent in the company of friends and family while wearing your most comfortable PJs. Tell us about your favorite decorating tips and memories in the comments below, and share images of your completed work! Or, if you want to keep the momentum going and get started on the rest of the house, check out our article on “Subtle Ways to Decorate Your Home This Christmas.”
Eoin is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork. He’s recently bought a house with his fiancée, and thus most of his time these days is spent trying to keep the walls from caving in and the wolves from the door. Still, he’s always open to book, game, and movie recommendations, so if you have some, let him know: he’ll add them to a very, very long list.
