Selecting a Christmas Tree
by Ardith Beveridge, Tastemaker in Residence
Selecting a tree:
- Select the proper size for the area
- The more branch tips the fuller looking the tree and the more places to hang ornaments
- Long needles are more of an informal look
- Short needles are more formal
- Upswept branches and sparser tree more informal
- Down swept branches symmetrical and full more formal
What to look for:
- Amount of tips-strength of branches
- Color
- Shape
- Sturdy
Lighting the tree:
- Check lights before stringing the tree
- Do not exceed manufactures recommendations on quantity of lights per extension cord—usually 300 lights
- String lights when lit for easier placement
- End cords in the same place
- String throughout tree, way in to the center and to the tips to illuminate ornaments
- Put all cords into one power bar for ease of turning on and off
Choose a theme:
- Dominate color or subject
- Keep in a basic motif; nature/outdoors, country, romantic, traditional
- Balance texture shape size and color; have one thing dominate
Theme ideas:
- Glittery
- Country
- Southern Belle
- Sherlock Holmes
- Black Tie
- Childrens
- Owls
- Santa and reindeer
- Nostalgic
- Cardinals
- Sugar and spice
Decorating:
- Repeat multiples of the same ornament or by using different shapes in the same color or texture
- Keep the size relationship to the room, area and surroundings
- One item is dominate, the others are subordinate
- Interact combination of ornaments
- Choose symmetrical or asymmetrical, stay with the one you choose for visual and physical balance
- Place lights and ornaments deep inside the tree and out on the tips
- Keep ornaments about the same size, larger on or near base, smaller on top, medium in-between
- To make small ornaments appear larger, group them together
- Encourage the eye to move around the tree by repeating shapes, colors and textures
Ornaments:
- Depends on size or tree and how dense you like the ornaments
- You may use up to 40 per foot of tree
- 7 foot tree =280 ornaments
- Mix some expensive unique ornaments with some less expensive
- Utilize some items that are not meant for ornaments. As cookie cutters, ribbons and bows
- Larger scale has more visual impact
- In darker area glitz and bling works
Hanging Ornaments:
- Start with largest ornaments or largest quantity first
- Distribute size shape and color throughout the tree
- Larger ornaments near the bottom, smaller to the top
- Use green enameled hooks
- Use green zip ties to prevent ornaments from falling
Tree Skirt:
- Tie the skirt into the theme
Removal:
- Place a large tree bag under the tree for easy removal
- Take inventory of ornaments; perhaps take a picture of each for your records
- Remove large and fragile ornaments, place in a box
- Label everything
- Recycle the tree
HAVE LOTS OF FUN DECORATING!