This Christmas is a very special one for me. We’re celebrating our first one in our new home. It was a challenge purchasing this home, but thankfully we did – AND in time to celebrate the holidays!

My first order of business for the holiday is finding a Christmas tree near me. Now, I’m new to the state, but I want to explore – you know discover? So instead of going to the old reliable Home Depot or Lowe’s for an artificial Christmas tree – I went to At Home.

I find a beautiful, nine foot pre-lit artificial tree for $300. Man, I was just excited that I could even think to purchase a tree that high. My last house had lower ceilings, so I was restricted to at tallest, a seven foot. My new home has super high ceilings, so I can get as high a Christmas tree as I want!

So, now that I have my tree, it’s time for those Christmas tree decorations. But even before that, this in-our-new-house-tree has got to be an amazing one; not the same old. So I ask myself: “how exactly do I create that beautiful tree?” I realize I need Christmas tree decorating ideas and I got to researching on how to decorate my tree like a pro.

Decorating Your Christmas Tree Like a Pro

Hands down, this is my prettiest tree ever. Here are some tips that helped me along the way.

1. Design Around a Theme:
   A theme allows your tree to visually tell it’s Christmas story. Whether it’s a peppermint theme like this one from the Two Twenty One blog or a white tree with gold ornaments, a theme gives your tree it’s own unique look. I went with a red and white theme this year.

2. Invest in a High Quality Tree
   I spent $300 on my tree this year. I typically go with a real tree, so the Christmas tree spend on an artificial is a lot higher for me. Though it is expensive, go with a high quality tree that can last several holidays. Plus, it’s easier to manage. I’m tired of cleaning up pine needles all over the house.

3. Fluff, fluff and guess what? Fluff some more!
   With fluffing, you are extending the branches to fill out the tree. This is the most tedious job of designing your tree. Though time consuming, it’s worth it. You want to make sure you have minimal open space on your tree.
4. Use plenty of lights
   Even if you purchase a pre-lit tree like I did, add another string or two. A well lit tree provides the backdrop for a professional looking Christmas tree. The lights should be the first item on the tree.
5. Ornaments
   Use a lot of Christmas ornaments and with variety. For depth, larger ornaments should be hung inside the tree, towards the trunk, while the smaller, lighter one hang on the thinner part of the branch towards the front. Don’t forget your ornament hooks! A lot of stores don’t sell both ornaments and hooks together.
6. Ribbons
   Use at least two different kinds of ribbon and make sure you layer them throughout the tree.
7. Section Your Christmas Tree
   I couldn’t understand when I kept reading to decorate the tree in sections until I did so for mine. Starting from the top, I decorated that part first and I didn’t move down to the next section until I was finished with the top of the tree. Decorating your tree in sections helps you decorate more efficiently.

What are some Christmas tree decorating tips that you can share?

Blissfully Single and Yours,