When it comes to decorating a Christmas tree, I’ve learned a lot over the years. I used to just string some lights, huck some ornaments at the tree, and call it good, but over the last 7 years or so, I’ve been doing things differently; I now do a ‘theme tree’ each year.
I pick a color scheme and literally run wild with it, I use all sorts of ornaments that go together to create one beautiful tree! Regardless of what kind of decorations I’m using, I use the same 3 tips to make a tree look magical and I’m going to share them with you, so you can have a magical tree too!
Here are my top 3 tips to make a tree look magical:
- Use more than one size light bulb. This is the most important one, just trust me! My tree is a 9-1/2 foot pre-lit tree. It has all white mini lights on nearly all of the branches, but before putting any of the ornaments on, I run 3-4 strands of big C-9 bulbs over the whole tree. (You can see them in the picture above). The different size light bulbs add a star-like quality to the tree and make it super sparkly at nighttime.
- Use LOTS of ornaments. I’m serious here, lots and lots; as many as you can fit and then at least 10 more. The sheer number of ornaments makes a tree look magical, I promise! You don’t have to break the bank buying ornaments either, buy the large packs of shatterproof ornaments in your color – they make a TERRIFIC base. Then you can add a few more expensive ornaments here and there. And to be 100% truthful, I only have enough ornaments to decorate the front half of my tree (I’m very thankful it’s in the corner of the room).
- Variety. Use lots of different ornaments that are all somewhat similar. Don’t be afraid do use some that are really big and some that are really small. The variety in size is visually pleasing and will add lots of dimension to the tree. Also think about texture, use sprigs, poinsettias, pinecones, or other branches to add another element of textures. This year I have white sparkly sprigs and white ball branches (see picture). I try to add a few new ornaments each year, so my tree is never exactly the same, but for the past 3 years, I have done neutral colors and it has been my favorite.
I also did a Facebook live video in front of my tree covering my 3 tips to make a tree look magical, which you can watch right here if you want to see the real thing!
And just in case you’re wondering, I have my tree in a regular old artificial tree stand, which is inside a galvanized bucket that I bought from Pet Club and distressed (by beating with a hammer and whitewashing with white paint – haha). It made a perfect tree bucket!
So there you have it, my top 3 tips to make a Christmas tree look magical. It doesn’t matter if your tree is 3 feet tall or 12 feet tall, with these tips you can make any tree look full and magical this Christmas!
Looking for more neutral Christmas decor or tree decorating tips? Check out these posts, here and here!
Christmas 2015
Christmas 2017
Don’t forget silk flowers and floral picks, especially the ones with long stems. They’re perfect for filling in empty places and don’t even have to be attached. You just “poke” them in where needed. Any flower will do if it matches your color scheme.
Yes Mandy, yes! I didn’t use any flowers this year, so I didn’t mention it, but you are absolutely right; flowers are perfect for filling holes in the tree. I have used several colors of poinsettias in the past and they look beautiful! Thanks for the tip! 🙂
It is so beautiful and would go with any decor. How do you figure how much ribbon you need to wrap tree? Also I am going to make magnolia swag this year, do you think I could put bunches of magnolia leaves (there are 3 leaves to a bunch) in place of flowers?
Thank you so much Janet! Oh gosh, I am TERRIBLE at guesstimating ribbon and I always come up short! If it helps, my tree is 9-1/2 feet and I used 3 rolls of 18 feet, but truthfully I could use a few more feet, as the ribbon ended up right in the front of my tree (of course, haha!). If you have extra ribbon you could always make a matching bow for the top of the tree. In previous years I’ve had a star or angel and a bow, which looks pretty. And yes, absolutely on the magnolia bunches! I think they would be lovely!
Where did you find most of your tree decor? Hobby Lobby?? I love your tree! I’m needing to revamp ours!! Ty
This is beautiful. I am going to change the ornaments this year, I prefer all while lights but the one I have is multicolor. Should I stick with multicolor larger lights or use larger white ones? I would love for mine to turn out like yours. Very beautiful! Any secrets I need to know for winding ribbon around the tree? Thanks for sharing!!!
Hi Cindy! Thank you so much! As far at the ribbon goes, I start at the top (usually use a twist tie to attach it to a top branch) and then just wind it around, pressing it into the branches so it’s wrapping outside the tree. Does that make sense? As far as the lights go, that’s totally personal preference! If you intend on changing to white, I would probably buy white C9’s, but again it’s more about having lots of lights than the color! Merry Christmas!
To make tree even more magical, use a revolving tree base. I bought one and can’t believe what a beautiful difference it has made. Merry Christmas!
Susan! This is a brilliant idea, and I can’t believe I didn’t think of it! I’m going to check this out asap! Merry Christmas to YOU too! 🙂
I had a revolving stand and I let someone borrow it and never got it back. I’ve been searching for another. Any suggestions as to where I might find one? Thanks
Hi Louella! I’ve actually been looking for one myself too, I have found several on Amazon. Did you check there? They have them in several price ranges and for both live and artificial trees! I think that’s where I’ll be getting mine! 🙂
Thanks for the tips!! I will try them. I love the c9 old fashioned colored lights that we had when I was little and I have quite a few strands that I have been using with colored vintage bulbs. I have been considering adding strands of standard size small white lights to brighten the look. Have u tried that – curious how it turned out. Thanks again for the magical tips!!
Hey Angie! I love the c9 lights too. They remind me so much of my childhood and ‘old-fashioned’ trees and decor. I actually haven’t tried colored bulbs, but I think I want to! I think the white lights with the colored bulbs would also be ‘magical’! I put up a second tree for my kids and their ornaments, so I’m debating trying it on their tree this year! If I do, I’ll be sure to post about it. Happy decorating! 🙂
Thank you for the tips!
I love every single piece of decoration you have on your Christmas tree. Can you please tell me where you got the ornaments from?
Thanks again! <3
Thank you so much Jasmine! The majority of my ornaments are from Hobby Lobby, but a few are from Walmart; they have a cute little line of rustic ornaments and I buy some from there almost every year!
I like to buy ornaments from the different cities we visit and also ones that are customized for our family each year, do you think its tacky to include all those different ornaments, I need to perk up my tree this year? Thanks
I do that too Heidi! In fact, I have a whole separate tree (smaller) that has all of our girls handmade ornaments and all of our travel ornaments! You could definitely add them to your main tree though, that’s the beauty of decorating a tree, you can make it your own – make it unique and special! When you look at it, it should make you smile. Happy decorating! 🙂
Hi there!
Beautiful tree!
I am a newby when it comes to Christmas decor. What is the silver (or white) twirly things (looks like branches) sticking out of the tree?! Do they have a name lol!
Thanks!
Hiya Tiffany! It’s funny that you asked that – they are officially called ting-ting and you can find them at Michael’s or online! I love using them for some texture. Happy decorating!
I bought gold & silver at Hobby Lobby after Christmas half price.
Hi Debra! I love shopping the after Christmas sales too! I usually pick up a ton of great things! Happy decorating…for next year!
What size bucket did you use?