Information about the picture (pictures of most of the items are below, not in candle light)
No, the nutcracker doesn’t come in the color you have to spray paint it and then use rub and buff. As well as it doesn’t come with the top. That is a broken long ornament that I glued on it. Also it is a large riser (plain wood).
If I could find more of the gold copper swirled ribbon I would. I love it. I can find it but not in the the 4 inch size. The lesson there is get more than you think you will ever need. Wooden looking bowl is a large salad or serving bowl (it is a plastic wood). Deer and most candle holders from Target 2 years ago).
Everything looks better in candle light. There is the magic.
Now, on with the post
Some years, I am so excited to decorate the Christmas tree.
I pull out the ornaments. Then fluff the branches. I fuss with the ribbon. Then stand back, admire my work and think, Oh yes. We have Christmas magic.
And then there are other years. I stand back, look at the tree and think…
Why did I bother?
Surely I am not the only one. I know I can’t be.
But even when the decorating doesn’t go exactly as planned, I still love it. There is simply something magical about a Christmas tree glowing in the corner on a cold, dark evening. Turn off the overhead lights, plug in the tree, pour yourself something warm and suddenly everything feels a little cozier.
And truly, that might be the whole point.
Christmas Tree Style: There Really Are No Rules
Christmas decorating can go in a hundred different directions, and that is part of the fun.
Give me copper and blue. Or give me silver and burgundy. Perhaps, an elegant snowy white tree shimmering with lights. And, of course, there is the rich, cozy Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas look with plaid ribbon, velvet, tartan, teddy bears and nutcrackers.
I even love those adorable teddy bear drummer boys people are incorporating into their Christmas decorating. They’re charming, nostalgic and just a little unexpected.
The looks are endless. Your tree doesn’t need to follow whatever happens to be popular this year. If you’ve collected ornaments for decades and none of them technically “go together,” put them on the tree anyway.
Christmas decorating should make you happy. That is the trend I would like to keep forever.
Want a Fuller, More Expensive-Looking Tree? Start With Ribbon
If I could recommend one thing that can completely change the appearance of a Christmas tree, it would be ribbon.
Ribbon is especially wonderful when you don’t have enough ornaments to fill a large tree. Instead of buying three shopping carts full of ornaments, let beautiful ribbon become part of the decoration itself.
For a 7-foot Christmas tree, I like the idea of layering two ribbons: one approximately 3 inches wide and another approximately 2½ inches wide
If you’re using only one ribbon, go bigger. Something around 4 to 5 inches wide can make a beautiful statement. And don’t be stingy with it. This is Christmas. We have 11 months to practice restraint.
Doing a Ralph Lauren-Inspired Christmas Tree?
Meet Your New Best Friend: Plaid
If you love that rich, traditional Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas aesthetic, plaid ribbon is your new bestie.
And you’re probably going to want quite a bit of it. I would suggest just going on ETSY then search plaid. Those are the ribbons that you don’t see all of the time and have a very high quality. Of course, Michael’s is having a sale and then you can get the quantities that you need for the same price.
Plaid mixed with velvet creates that wonderfully layered, collected feeling that makes this style so cozy. Add rich reds, greens and warm metallic touches, then bring in a few unexpected ornaments.
Nutcrackers are fabulous for this look. Which is why I included the one that was so popular last year from Walmart. They have it again this year. In two sizes, get the bigger one.
This is what he looked like when I got him last year. The color is more ivory in real life. That is why he got painted and rub n’ buffed. I wanted him to look more regal. The rub n’buff kept the definition defined. Very light on the spray paint as you want to keep the “carved” definition.
He really does need a riser to make him more regal and I am thinking of making a large one for him out of a block of wood and adding scroll and such.
And here’s where decorating gets fun because Christmas decorating certainly does not have to mean spending a fortune.
I’ve found velvety-looking nutcrackers at Dollar Tree that are adorable. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy several and work them right into the tree. (By that I mean wire them right into the tree like an ornament).
Why not? They’re decorative, they take up more visual space than a small ornament, and a cluster of them could make quite the statement.
Don’t have a tree topper
Make one. Use those huge bows that are so popular this year. Or use floral picks. I have even made my own with sticks and curled ribbon. One year, I wanted a snowy christmas and didn’t have a tree topper. I used Dollar Tree snowflake ornaments. Hobby lobby has them now as well. Not that expensive.
Nobody is looking that hard at your tree topper and if they are they will admire your creativity.
Tips I have learned over the year:
A Little Ribbon Trick That Makes a Big Difference
Here’s another simple trick. Instead of letting wired ribbon hang completely flat, run your fingers along the wired edges and gently curl or shape them. That little bit of movement gives the ribbon somebody.
Rather than lying flat against the branches looking slightly defeated, it begins to loop, curl and weave through the tree. Much prettier.
Unless, you do this: Don’t do this, this was many moons ago.
Even though I say not to do this swirl ribbon. I do love the Christmas wrap in this picture.
Maybe I was a head of my time with the Ralph Lauren Christmas Trend. LOL!
Is Your Christmas Tree Looking a Little Skinny?
Maybe your tree is nice and full at the top but doesn’t have the width you want near the bottom. Fake it.
Christmas greenery picks are your friends. Add picks around the outer edges of the tree to extend the silhouette and create more fullness. Point them up and outward, rather than letting everything droop toward the floor.
You can certainly buy individual picks. Hobby Lobby usually has plenty of styles to tempt those of us who absolutely do not need another piece of Christmas greenery.
Guilty.
But here’s another idea I love:
Buy a cedar-style garland and turn it into your own picks.
I purchased one from My Texas House from Walmart and used wire cutters to create additional greenery pieces. Depending on the garland and the picks you’re considering, this can be a less expensive way to get lots of extra greenery.
Do I already own an overabundance of Christmas decor? Yes. Did I still buy the garland? Also yes.
Christmas decorating logic. Don’t question it.And while we’re talking about My Texas House, have you seen the plaid rug? So cute.
The Unexpected Trick for Filling Holes in Your Christmas Tree
Every artificial tree seems to have that spot. You know the one. The part you fluff. You twist. You reposition branches. The hole is still there.
A large ornament can disguise it beautifully, but a friend of mine uses another clever trick: metallic gift tissue paper.
She lightly crumples it and tucks it deeper inside the tree, closer to the center pole.It’s inexpensive, fills those dark gaps and catches the Christmas lights, adding a surprising bit of shimmer from within the tree.
Honestly? Genius.
Heavy Ornaments Need a Little Backup
Some of my favorite ornaments are beautiful glass pieces I’ve picked up from Target (new one this year and the copper ones above – very heavy) They may not necessarily fit Ralph Lauren-inspired look, but they’re the kind of ornaments that could work beautifully with so many other Christmas styles.
Vintage Christmas? Absolutely. Winter wonderland? Gorgeous. Traditional? Of course.Silver and burgundy? Beautiful.
The only problem with substantial ornaments is that sometimes the cute little ribbon hanger isn’t something I entirely trust. Enter two humble Christmas decorating heroes:
Floral wire and pipe cleaners.
If you’re hanging heavier ornaments with pretty ribbon, secure them with floral wire too. The ribbon provides the beautiful finish while the hidden wire gives you additional support. Because after you’ve invested in ornaments you love, we’d prefer they remain on the tree rather than dramatically introducing themselves to the floor.
Silver (or Gold) and Burgundy Deserve a Moment, Too
Can we please not forget silver (or gold) and burgundy? It is such a beautiful combination.
Silver brings the light and sparkle while burgundy provides that deep, luxurious richness. It’s sophisticated without feeling overly formal and looks especially beautiful in the glow of warm Christmas lights.
Add velvet ribbon, glass ornaments and frosted greenery and you have something completely different from the cozy plaid tree, yet every bit as magical.
And that is what I love about Christmas decorating. There isn’t one “correct” Christmas tree.
Your Christmas Tree Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
Some years your tree is going to look exactly as you imagined.
Other years you’ll move the ribbon six times, stare at one side of the tree for 20 minutes and wonder why something still doesn’t look right. Welcome to Christmas decorating.
Step away. Have some cocoa or wine. Just grab your favorite beverage.
Turn the room lights off and turn the Christmas tree lights on. Suddenly, those imperfections don’t seem nearly as important.
Because whether your tree is covered in plaid and velvet, silver and burgundy, copper and blue, vintage glass ornaments or snowy white branches, the best Christmas tree is ultimately the one that makes you happy when you walk into the room.
Decorating trends will come and go. But that little bit of magic when the tree lights come on? That never goes out of style. I hope your tree makes your season magical, whatever colors you choose. And if there’s a hole in it?
Stuff a little metallic tissue paper in there. No one needs to know.
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