When it comes to lights, more is more
Fairy lights are the foundation of magical Christmas decor, so even though it's one of the more boring decorating tasks it's important not to rush it! I tend to work from top to bottom, and use four strands of 100 fairy lights on our tree - it really is a case of the more the merrier here, after all you can never have too much sparkle. To add depth to the tree, ensure you're not just wrapping the lights around the edge of the branches; by adding them into the centre of the tree it will look more full and can give faux trees a more realistic feel.
Consider colour, pattern and texture
When it comes to decorating your tree, do you go for a certain colour scheme and style or are you more anything goes? Whichever side you fall on, using a mix of baubles and ornaments with different finishes, patterns and textures will always make your decor come to life. I stick with a traditional colour scheme of red, green and gold for a gorgeous Victorian vibe and use a mix of transparent glass, gloss and satin baubles interspersed with glitter ornaments - each of which catch the light in a different way and really amplify that magical festive glow. If you have pets, paper mache baubles are perfect for hanging around the bottom of the tree where they're likely to fall victim to a curious paw or two...
Work in layers to create depth
As with the lights, hanging baubles in the centre of the tree is another way to create depth and give your tree a fuller appearance. I have a selection of what I think of as 'filler baubles' for this - these are plain baubles again in a mix of finishes which I hang from midway down the branches. Combined with the layers of fairy lights your tree will glow from the inside out!
Organisation is key
To give my tree that luxuriously styled edge whilst still maintaining a whimsical feel, I find it helps to think of my baubles and ornaments in 'categories.' The first category is size - I have boxes for small, medium and large baubles; I opt to hang small baubles at the top, and work down the tree to the larger sizes with some overlap as to not create too much of a strict structure. Next, I have a selection of gold glitter snowflakes and icicles and long, thin baubles. These I try to hang evenly all over the tree to ensure theres an even spread of glitter accents and thin hanging ornaments which draw the eye down the tree from top to bottom. Finally I have what I call my 'stand out' ornaments. These are one off's, figurines and vintage treasures which I use throughout the tree as the feature decorations.
Don't be afraid to D.I.Y
Finally, luxurious looking Christmas decor doesn't have to come with a matching price tag. For a more traditional rustic vibe, foraged pinecones, dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks make for a timeless festive feel. Hang from your tree or thread onto twine to create gorgeous garlands to drape along the branches. Lengths of ribbon are perfect for tying in bows, letting long ends hang loose for an effortless, luxe feel and old books can be used to create paper chains if a hint of nostalgia is what you need!
And most importantly, make memories! Take the time to slow down, enjoy this time of year and treasure the quality time spent with your loved ones. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, with love x
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