Christmas Tree Decorating Tips, Part I

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

27 Nov 2007 06:11 AM

Are you ready to put up your Christmas tree and start decorating? Some people already have or are getting ready to do so. I know people that start way early, some that put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving, some who wait until the 1st of December, and still others who barely get the tree in place in time for Santa to stock presents beneath it on Christmas Eve.

While decorating the tree can be a lot of fun, and making a plan helps, so try some of these tips to get started:

Check your Lights

Before you spend time draping the lights around your Christmas tree just so, plug in each set of lights to make sure they work. You may simply need to replace a bulb or two, but you may also find that the lights are no good. You don't want to wait until you've hung them to find out. Also, take care to use the same types of lights. You don't want to plug a 100 light string into a string of 50 nor do you want to have the bottom half of the tree flashing while the top stays at a steady glow. Match up your lights, check them out, and then begin wrapping them around the tree.

Count your Lights

You don't have to sit down and literally count each individual light, but it does help to get a general idea of how many lights you will need. A good rule of thumb is an average of 100 miniature lights per foot (how many feet high your tree is). For example, an 8' Christmas tree will need approximately 800 lights.

Add Garland

Garland is great for filling in bare spots and for adding color and texture. It's best to put it on after the lights and before the ornaments and other decorations. You will need approximately ten feet of garland for per 2-3 feet of tree height (more for the widest part at the bottom) so pick up several strands. You can mix and match if you like or intertwine different colors for a stronger effect.

Another Good Thing about Organizing before Christmas

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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