Merry Christmas! I’m feeling extra cheery today because our home is finally all decked out for the holidays. It’s a process, but it’s worth every minute spent for that end result: a gorgeous, cozy setting. And who doesn’t love the smell of fresh Fraser fir?

Decorating your tree doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal. There are a few steps you can follow to make the process a fun one for everyone!

  1. Start with the lights. I always plug mine in so I can see exactly where they’re going. That way I can make sure there aren’t any gaps. My friend Brian recommends stringing every single branch. He swears by it and says it helps weigh the tree down so that it has a nice, full shape and, of course, is completely lit up. I’m definitely trying this next year. A good rule of thumb when it comes to lighting and outlets is three strands per outlet. If you’re using more than three strands, play it safe and use a surge protector.
  2. Next, add on your garland. This can be ribbon, popcorn, berries on a string, or a garland you pick up from your local craft store. I used ribbon on both of our trees this year, weaving it in and out and through the branches. It creates a lovely effect. If you’re doing this, make sure you use wired ribbon with a little sparkle. The extra sparkle reflects the light beautifully. 
  3. Place your picks. If ornaments are the sprinkles on your Christmas cake, then these are like fondant flowers. They add a beautiful little something extra to any tree. This year, I used berry picks tied together with plaid and red wired ribbon that I fashioned myself. It was so simple and turned out wonderfully. 
  4. Cover your tree in ornaments. Whether they’re glass Waterford ornaments, a few dozen gold ornaments from Target, or a random assortment of ornaments picked up on trips, you just can’t go wrong here. I’m a big believer in more is more when it comes to lights on the Christmas tree and ornaments. If you tend to be more organized (I see you, friends), pick a color for your tree and color coordinate your ornaments. I have one gold and white tree upstairs that I try to use only gold, blue and white, and silver ornaments on. Our downstairs (fun) tree is all red with hints of gold. All of our travel ornaments and colorful ornaments are on there. 
  5. Top it all off. You can opt for a classic angel, giant bow (my preferred topper), a Santa Claus, or any other number of items to top off your tree. Make sure it’s a good size. I like to use two giant bows that I fasten together (click here for my bow tutorial). This year, I added a few picks to both of our tree topper bows. 
Happy decorating!