Easy Steps to a Beautifully Decorated Tree

This post may be too late for many of you to take advantage of this year but, maybe some of these tips will assist you in your tree challenge for next year.

To pick up extra holiday money, while living in New York, I got a job with a holiday decor company.  we traveled all around New York and the Burroughs installing tree displays for Macy's.  We worked in teams of four and each team member had five trees to decorate every day.  These tips will allow you to work your magic in no time with professional results.

LIGHTING

Break your tree into three sections and light the tree one third at a time starting at the top and working your way down.  This saves walking around in circles getting the tree lit and should you have a strand of lights burn out during the season it is much easier to replace with this configuration.

How Many Lights Do I Need?

If you are lighting just the outside of the tree I suggest at least 35 lights per foot of tree. To deep light a tree, lighting the branches all the way into the trunk, you will need 70 to 100 lights per foot of tree.  the extension cord for your lights should have multiple plugs.  Two years ago I bought a cord at Home Depot just for the tree, it has four outlets placed along the cord so you can plug your lights in in several places.  Remember, no more than three strands of 100 lights linked together.  some of the lighting this year state no more than five, do not take the chance.

ADDING THE DECORATIONS

First, turn off the lights!  This may seem strange but, it makes it much easier to find where to put the ornaments.  You will also achieve a tree that looks very nice in the daytime when the lighting is not as effective.

I always start with the top of the tree and work my way down.  Fill the inside of the tree with inexpensive glass ornaments in a color or colors of your choice working with smaller orbs at the top and graduating to the larger orbs at the bottom. 

Now it is time to place all of the novelty and keepsake ornaments to the outside of the tree.  also, do not be afraid to bend the ornament hook around the branch so that the top of the ornment comes in contact with the tree.  not only is this a polished look, it will also secure your ornaments from falling off should the tree be brushed against or climbed by your pet cat!

Make sure your tree is easy to turn on and off.  plug your tree into a power strip with an easily accessible on, off switch.  If you really want to have some fun, pick up a table top, lamp dimmer from your local Hardware store to control the brightness of the tree. 

While you are at the store pick up plastic bins with snug fitting tops and label them for glass ornaments and others for novelties. 

Last Tip on Lights

Throw them away!  you have twisted them around branches and if you try to save them you will be twisting and tugging again.  If you shop the weekend of Thanksgiving you can get lights as low as $3.00 per box for 100 lights.  For around $30.00 you can save yourself a lot of hassle and frustration.

Merry Christmas to All