A live Christmas tree adds a festive, nature-inspired touch to your home decor. While they can cost twice as much as cut trees, they’re also more durable and come with environmental benefits that cut ones don’t offer. Plus, they can help keep your home cooler during winter, which is especially important in warmer climates.
Before decorating, you need to make sure your tree is hydrated, fresh and ready for action. Here are a few tips to ensure your tree stays beautiful and healthy throughout the holiday season:
Start by placing your tree in a bucket of water as soon as you get it. This will help it to acclimate more quickly and absorb more water. Then, set it in a stand that holds at least one gallon of water and bring it inside the house.
Place the tree in a room that isn’t directly exposed to warm air from heaters or vents and that has a steady temperature, such as an unheated garage. You can also choose a sheltered spot, such as a covered porch or basement, to acclimate the tree.
Remove any dead twigs and branches from the tree before placing it in your stand. This will keep the tree looking fresh and healthy, and ensure it stays free from pests and disease.
Then, fill the base of the tree with ornaments and decorations. This can include anything from heirlooms to collectibles to homemade ornaments. It can be fun to mix and match your collection for a unique look, or you can go all-out with an elaborate theme.
If you’re using a lot of baubles and ornaments, it’s important to distribute them evenly across the tree so they don’t look heavy and overpowering. Large baubles and ornaments should be placed closer to the base of the tree, while smaller ones can be hung on the higher branches for extra visual balance.
Next, fill in any gaps around the tree with beads and garlands. This will help the tree to be more three-dimensional and interesting, while adding additional color to your decor.
After you’ve decorated your tree, stand back and take a good look at it from different angles to check for any empty spots that need filling. This will make it easier to position the heaviest decorations and fill in any gaps for a more finished look.
Lights and Beads
Once your tree is decorated, you can add a few strands of lights to help it shine from top to bottom and give it a warm, cozy glow. You can use a variety of colors and styles, or stick with just the greens for a classic, traditional look.
You can also add ribbon to your tree for a more festive and whimsical touch. To get the hang of how to attach ribbon to your tree, start by adding the smallest loops first, then work your way up and out. Repeat the process until you’re satisfied with how it looks, then you can add any other types of ribbon or garlands.
