How to perfectly decorate your Christmas tree

Ha! Gotcha. There’s way to perfectly dress a Christmas tree. And there shouldn’t be. Not with kiddies at least. Christmas is a magical, innocent, time filled with wonder and joy and that’s the atmosphere you should be creating. It’s not a Pinterest board and keeping the little ones away with a 10-foot barge pole. Under the tree, memories are made. It’s where little ones sing carols and twirl and rush to open presents with faces covered in Christmas pudding. The magic of believing in Santa lasts for such a short time that it’s something that should be savoured.

If you’re decorating while a cheekily singing a version of ‘Oh Christmas tree’ (think “oh sym-o-tree, oh sym-o-tree), below are a few tips but I have even better ones if you keep reading.

 DECORATING A PINTEREST-WORTHY TREE

START BY EVENLY SEPARATING THE BRANCHES
If they’re pointing willy nilly, you’ll end up with weird, off-balance baubles.

LIGHTS ON (FIRST)!
I find wrapping the tree in fairy lights first works best, otherwise you’re left trying to dangle lights around baubles and everything ends up on the floor! Start and the bottom and wrap it around the tree all the way to the top, spacing it evenly.

BAUBLE BLISS
Begin with the bigger baubles and space them out to create balance. Start by placing the smaller baubles and the top, medium-sized ones in the middle and large baubles at the bottom. And voila! Perfection (but that’s gross!)

NOW FOR EVEN BETTER ADVICE!
Go nuts. Toss all the rules and make up your own. I’ve compiled a few of my favourites but try to invent new ones – it’s always so marvelous when you come up with your own traditions to do year after year.

DITCH THE OL' TREE
Try trees made from recycled branches, try metal or simply hang shelves in a Christmas tree shape. In this way, you're not forced to hang classic ornaments.

ADD COOKIES!
This is such a fun activity that you can do together as a family. I can’t think of a single kid who doesn’t like cookies, young and old. Sprinkle, drizzle and add lashings of icing, edible glitter and all things sparkly! Cookie cutters are super cheap and they come in pretty much every shape under the sun – candy canes, ginger bread girls and boys, baubles, stars, angels, Santa shapes. You can even add every family member’s names. Just make sure when you add dangly string for hanging that it’s safe for the oven!







SWEETS ARE A TREAT
This is an old family tradition. My cousin and I would take Quality Street sweets or wrap our favourite sweets in cellophane and hang them on the tree. It makes for a delicious treat when you’re taking the “decorations” down (or before – no judgement).


GREEN WITH ENVY
If you’re like me and don’t have the heart to cut down a real Christmas tree, you can still get the divine Pine tree smell in your home with these amazing glass baubles filled with greenery.


MAKE A FORTUNE


I love the tradition of fortune cookies. They come in pretty much any colour nowadays and they're just so gorgeous too – whether dipped in chocolate or dusted with glitter. It’s a great idea to open them up for a special wish or message for the coming year.



AN ADVENT TREE
I saw these gorgeous ornaments and thought they be wonderful to fill with sweets and tiny treasures to open in the days leading up to Christmas.




PICK UP STICKS

Yes, these are kitch as hell, but I love arts and crafts. Popsicle/sucker sticks, paint, googly eyes, glue and ribbons are literally all you need to create these adorable characters! Everyone from Santa to Rudolph to a snowman you could call Olaf! It’s hours of family fun on those days where you’ve run out of things to do.



FAMILY CRESTS
Will proposed with 1000 origami cranes. He always gave me one when I needed cheering up. Since then it’s become the symbol of our relationship and our little family. So every year we add a crane for each member of the family. Think of something that encompasses your family. It’s can be as simple as having the surname ‘Dove’ and creating little doves for each of you.




I hope I’ve offered some ideas. And that you’ll share yours.

Much love.
Xx

All images and ideas courtesy of Pinterest. Do I need to include links? I never know how these things go. I still use the words "hip and happening".


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