How to Decorate Your Christmas Tree

by Lara

I am a big fan of Christmas trees that have a TON of ornaments and flowers and ribbon on them. Very baroque, if you will. I realize the overstuffed tree is not everyone's cup of tea, but I love putting mine up every year and making it as decadent as I possibly can.

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The secret to having a tree like this is to treat it like a great big flower arrangement, and there is a pretty specific order to putting each element on. The order might seem surprising to you, but it makes the tree work perfectly.

Lights are first. Then flowers and other floral picks--I use these berry things and poinsettias.

After the flowers and picks are up, I fill in empty spaces with giant ball type ornaments. I usually tie them on with ribbon that matches the overall tree decor (Mine is red, gold, and mauve). Any time I get a gift with ribbon that matches, I save it.

Once the big balls are on, we go ahead and put on all of the other ornaments. I put them on one type at a time so that they are evenly spaced.

Ribbon is next. The biggest mistakes people make with tree ribbon are 1. Putting it on first and 2. Wrapping it around the tree too tightly. The trick to beautiful ribbon is to let it drip and drape. I let the ribbons natural curl inform the way I put it up on the tree.

I have a gold ribbon that goes around the tree. I drape it and tuck it in here and there.

I also have some flowered ribbon that I put onto the tree vertically. I do the same thing, letting the curl of the ribbon cascade down naturally and tucking it in occasionally to secure it to the tree.

After the ribbon is up, I put these twirly gig things in all over the tree.

I love the finishing touch they provide.

Finally, the tree topper. It's an angel, and the last thing to go on. I anchor it with some gold feathers.

For more detailed instructions, make sure to click over to my blog post below!

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1 question

Norma on Dec 02, 2015
The tree is stunningly beautiful. Is it a real tree or artificial?

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4 comments

Dee on Dec 01, 2015
I'm with you! I love the overstuffed look (on a Christmas Tree :-) ) You did a fabulous job!

1 Reply
- Lara on Dec 03, 2015
  @Enilk Thank you! We love our tree!
  
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Katrina Warren on Dec 01, 2015
@Lara Beautiful tree, I love an abundantly decorated tree! I could go very baroque, & very broke doing them! =D

1 Reply
- Lara on Dec 03, 2015
  @Katrina Warren yes! I call it my baroque tree all the time. And I buy a few ornaments every year so I don't spend too much.
  
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