How to Decorate a Christmas Tree

Seven Secrets Behind a Magical-looking Christmas Tree

Nothing lights up a room more than a handsome Christmas tree laden with sparkling decorations and glittering fairy lights.

Getting the boxes of decorations out from the back of the cupboard, unravelling the tangles of bulbs and buffing up the baubles marks the true beginning of the festive season… in fact, for many of us it’s something of a family tradition.

Make this year’s effort extra special courtesy of a few clever tips from Mr Toad, who has been busy discovering the most closely guarded secrets behind a magical-looking Christmas tree.

Shaping your Tree…

If you’re assembling an artificial Christmas tree make sure you separate out all the individual branch tips and set them pointing away from the centre of the tree, dressing the branches into the shape of a peacock’s fanned tail. Also make sure the branches are shaped and pointed upwards to harness the tree’s full splendour.

If you’ve purchased a Christmas tree in its natural form, a few choice snips and some careful pruning might help tidy up the overall shape of the tree. Make sure that the base-stand is topped up with water to keep the tree hydrated and slow down its shed of needles.

Let there be Light…

You’ve righted your tree and unboxed your decorations, but what next? Good question. Dive right in and you could end up with a sparkling mess, far better to take your time and build-up your tree decorations in layers. All the decorating experts agree the lights should be hung first, starting from the trunk and weaving them evenly around the crown and then up to the pinnacle, before coiling them back down to reach the tips of the branches. Make sure that the bulbs are positioned both under and on top of the branches to illuminate the tree to full effect and create those wonderful peeping glows. Many experienced festive decorators ‘double up’ with contrasting lights of different sizes and colours for a fuller and more varying radiance.

Top Tip: Make sure you check all your fairy lights are in working order before you decorate your tree and that you have enough slack to reach the plug socket once they’ve been mounted.

Decorating Around a Theme…

When it comes to Christmas tree decorations, it’s always best to stick with a theme. Try to resist the temptation to laden your tree with every decoration in the box, or you’ll likely end up with a well-meaning but garish hotchpotch! You’ll find elegant results with just two central colours that compliment each other, such as; silvers and golds, blues and whites, reds and coppers, purples and pearl. If you’re aiming to achieve that timeless traditional and nostalgic look, stick with wooden and antique ornaments, whereas ribbons and bows might suit a more flamboyant tree. Tinsel tends to lend itself to most styles and provides a voluminous layer. But remember the old adage: ‘less is more.’

Capturing the Style of your Décor…

This next tip is easily forgotten in the festive melee, but it can be the difference between a glittering triumph and a baubling ‘meh’. It’s well-worth taking some time to  incorporate the underlying tones of your room with the style and theme of your tree decorations. Trendy or old-fashioned, natty or tasteful, wow your guests when you let the character of your room help compliment your Christmas tree.

Layering your Colours…

When it comes to the colours and tones of your decorations, the art of subtlety rules. A tree consumed by one particular radiance will make too bold a statement, while equal measures and carefully considered patterns can result in nondescription. One way of avoiding these pitfalls is to lead with a dominant tone (perhaps reserved for your bulkier ornaments) and employ two complimenting colours to occupy a more discreet but no less important role.

Clustering your Baubles…

Is it time to step out of your bauble arranging comfort zone? The bauble is arguably the most quintessential of all Christmas tree ornaments; sparkling orbs and seasonal shapes that twinkle and reflect your fairy lights. The clustering technique involves grouping a trio of baubles of different sizes, colours and shapes and attaching the close-knit bunch to the cradle of a branch for an enchanting effect. You can still hang individual baubles from the tips of the branches, but this creative contrast will add an extra dimension. So, go for it, and be brave with your baubles!

Finishing Touches…

The pinnacle of every Christmas tree is traditionally decorated with an angel or star, although some people choose bows and other contemporary twists for their treetop crescendo. From drumming soldiers and hummingbirds to snowflakes and pinecones, when it comes to tree decorations your options are endless.

It’s not too late to book one of our West Country winter boltholes. Toad Hall Cottages has hundreds of rural retreats for you and your loved ones to hunker down in over the festive season; from handsome town houses to chocolate box cottages, let us help find your perfect setting.

Wishing all our friends & guests a very, merry Christmas